Catalytic Converters are some of the hottest loot goods for car thieves. The pro-environment auto part is a favorite among sneaky people because the most of the materials that are used are semi-precious – the platinum metals. Some automakers planned to looking for alternative cat con components but these still work the best.

The materials that play major roles for a catalytic converter to function well are the platinum metals: Rhodium, Platinum, and Palladium, which all work as catalysts. Rhodium is tasked to break down the Nitrogen oxide before it comes out into the atmosphere. Once this platinum metal worked, Nitrogen and Oxygen are the end result. These two are friendlier to the environment than the Nitrogen oxide. Palladium and Platinum, on the other hand, play more demanding roles in keeping the emission at a safe level. Carbon dioxide and water vapor are the result once Carbon monoxide and Hydrocarbons are already broken down into simpler forms.

Aside from breaking down harmful elements into simpler ones, the platinum metals found in catalytic converters are also capable of enduring too much heat and pressure. These semi-precious metals can bear as much as 900 degrees Celsius or so temperature produced in the exhaust system of a vehicle.

Until catalytic converter makers found alternatives, which are also efficient in breaking down elements, these special auto parts will still be costly and will still be targets of thieves.

Some details from Nature News.

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