| abstract |
This invention relates to catalyst supports, such as are used in catalytic converters for vehicles, and in other applications, such as diesel particulate traps. The invention discloses a novel composition for a catalyst support, and a method of making it. The support includes a base material, such as a stainless steel. If the base material is a metal, it can be rolled down to the thickness of a foil and then coated with a layer of aluminum. The coating is done by a vapor deposition technique, so that the aluminum coating is thin and substantially uniform. The base material can be almost any substance capable of withstanding the high temperatures expected in the catalytic converter or other application. Because the material is already of foil thickness when it is coated, it is not necessary to select a material which is capable of being rolled down after being coated with aluminum. Thus, the invention makes it possible to use a much wider variety of materials than have been used in the prior art. |