| abstract |
A honeycomb structure obtained by bonding, into onenpiece, a plurality of honeycomb segments (2) each having anlarge number of passage (6) surrounded by cell walls andnextending in the axial direction of the segment. In thenhoneycomb structure, a material A (3) having compressivenelasticity is provided between a side surface (21) of atnleast one honeycomb segment [2(a)] not constituting thenoutermost peripheral surface (23) of the honeycomb structuren(1) and a side surface of the honeycomb segment [(2(b))nadjacent thereto. A honeycomb structure assembly (8)nobtained by providing a material B (5) having compressivenelasticity on the outermost peripheral surface (23) of thenhoneycomb structure (1) in a compressed state and therebyncompression-holding the resulting honeycomb structure in anmetallic container (11). They can prevent its breakage, andnhas superior durability and reliability, by reducing thenthermal stress generating therein during the use owing tonthe sharp temperature change of inflow gas, the local heatnof reaction and combustion |