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· 26 Nov 2021

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Why are catalytic converters so expensive?

You may have observed that catalytic converters have been stolen from people's autos recently. It can make you question what makes a catalytic converter so valuable. Catalytic converters are crucial components of your car's exhaust and emissions systems. Your car would emit significantly more carbon monoxide as well as smog if it didn't have a catalytic converter. It's a priceless component of your vehicle, both ethically and in terms of the components that make up a converter. Here are some of the reasons why catalytic converters are so costly.

1. Platinum
Platinum is one of the most significant components of a catalytic converter. The catalytic converter alters the condition of specific emissions from your car by using precious metals such as platinum. They play an important role in the chemical reaction as catalysts. In a chemical reaction, a catalyst is not consumed. Instead, it provides the reaction its "spark." That's important because otherwise, the car would have to be refilled with valuable metals on a regular basis. The cost of owning a car would rise much further.

While you will almost certainly need a converter replacement at some point, especially if you drive your car for a long period, people who change their automobiles frequently will almost certainly never need one. Platinum is required for the transformation of carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide CO2 and water (H2O). If you've ever noticed water flowing from your exhaust pipe, it's because the catalytic converter is working properly.

To conduct this chemical reaction, platinum is mixed with either palladium or rhodium. The chemical reaction that transforms monoxide into dioxide is aided by the addition of a hydrocarbon. In the chemical chain, this means from one to two oxygen molecules. Platinum is a high-priced metal. It is exceedingly dense, which is why it is so costly.

2. Palladium
Palladium is another crucial component of the catalytic converter. Carbon monoxide is converted to water and carbon dioxide when it reacts with platinum. Palladium is more valuable than gold and platinum.
It's not uncommon to see it go for $2,000 for every ounce or more. Palladium has traditionally sold higher than other precious metals.

Part of this is due to the fact that it is extremely rare in the world. Palladium is a by-product of platinum or nickel mining. This makes it difficult to amass. Palladium is likewise in high demand. Many states are beginning to tighten rules on automobile emissions.

Catalytic converters must perform better as a result of the tougher limitations. Palladium prices have surged since supply is very low, especially with mines stopped due to the worldwide pandemic.

3. Rhodium
Another valuable metal that is used in the catalytic converter is rhodium. Rhodium, in particular, oxidizes nitrogen to produce nitrogen and oxygen.
One of the most important aspects of the emissions test is NOX contamination.

While some federal rules allow for lower NOX emissions, many companies have had to develop more effective catalytic converters to satisfy state NOX requirements. Smog is often referred to as NOX. Rhodium lessens the quantity of smog produced by a vehicle. The issue with rhodium is that this is prohibitively pricey.

4. Cerium
Cerium, while not the costliest rare metal utilized in catalytic converters, contributes to its high cost. The second step, in which emissions pass through the converter chamber, is cerium. It coats the chamber's inner layer and aids in the storage of oxygen. Carbon monoxide is converted to carbon dioxide using oxygen, platinum, and palladium. The cerium layer provides it with additional oxygen. The palladium and platinum characteristics would be unable to execute this chemical reaction without the cerium layer. Cerium is the most common rare metal on the planet.

Despite its abundance, this metal's mining is nonetheless costly and complex. Cerium is expensive, costing upwards of $1,000 per ounce. It will get pricey if you use a lot of it to produce catalytic converters. The worldwide pandemic has also contributed to the rise in cerium prices.