tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472211903033725545.post274714490340449556..comments2024-01-12T12:52:08.097-07:00Comments on Billlls Idle Mind: AutomotiveBillllhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913354887560267235noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472211903033725545.post-67378736154635127142016-11-06T19:45:54.428-07:002016-11-06T19:45:54.428-07:00The modern three way catalytic converter has three...The modern three way catalytic converter has three precious metals plated over a ceramic honeycomb. The three metals are platinum at $1,000/oz, palladium at $630/oz and rhodium at $770/oz. Those are troy ounces which a bit heavier than avoirdupois ounces. Due to the cost of these metals the plating is very thin, probably 1/100,000th of an inch over a pure aluminium base layer. <br /><br />I'm not sure how they reclaim the platinum, rhodium and palladium but I suspect it would be to heat the honeycomb until the metals melt and then separate them by density. Platinum melts at 3,000F so it is not a simple undertaking. <br /><br />Al_in_Ottawa<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472211903033725545.post-41709541340421631162016-11-04T17:08:37.678-07:002016-11-04T17:08:37.678-07:00They were being stolen because they run in the nei...They were being stolen because they run in the neighborhood of $400/ea to replace. The yards have signs in English and Spanish noting that they DO NOT sell converters. I don't think those pieces have any value, it was just odd to see my tailpipes plugged with large chunks of debris. Billllhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13913354887560267235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472211903033725545.post-39048552472199818962016-11-04T16:54:34.409-07:002016-11-04T16:54:34.409-07:00A few years ago there was a lot of hoopla about ca...A few years ago there was a lot of hoopla about cat converters being cut with a sawsall & stolen from mall parking lots. I'd at least inquire of a junkyard to see if there is actually platinum involved before scrapping those chunks.<br /><br /><br />Merle<br />Merlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351769452837850427noreply@blogger.com