Abstract: A wall-flow honeycomb filter has a monolith body which includes repeating hexagonal unit cells, wherein each hexagonal unit cell has inner cells and outer cells arranged in a hexagonal symmetry, and wherein the inner cells are bordered by the outer cells and the outer cells are of diamond shape.

Abstract: A particulate filter may comprise an inlet end, an outlet end, and a plurality of channels disposed and configured to flow fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end, wherein the channels are defined by porous walls configured to trap particulate matter. The porous walls may have a total porosity greater than about 45%, a median pore size ranging from about 13 micrometers to about 20 micrometers, and a pore size distribution such that pores less than 10 micrometers contribute less than about 10% porosity.

Abstract: A particulate filter may comprise an inlet end, an outlet end, and a plurality of channels disposed and configured to flow fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end, wherein the channels are defined by porous walls configured to trap particulate matter. The porous walls may have a cell density less than about 200 cpsi, a wall thickness of less than about 14 mils, a median pore size that ranges from about 13 micrometers to about 20 micrometers, a total porosity greater than about 45%, and a pore size distribution such that pores less than 10 micrometers contribute less than about 10% porosity.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic honeycomb articles, which are composed predominately of a crystalline phase cordierite composition. The ceramic honeycomb articles possess a microstructure characterized by a unique combination of relatively high total porosity of less than 54%, and relatively narrow pore size distribution having a d10 pore diameter of not less than 8 ?m, a d90 pore diameter of not greater than 35 ?m, and a value of df=(d50?d10)/d50 of less than 0.50. The articles exhibit high thermal durability and high filtration efficiency coupled with low pressure drop across the filter. Such ceramic articles are particularly well suited for filtration applications, such as diesel exhaust filters or DPFs. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing the ceramic articles of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are stabilized, high-porosity cordierite honeycomb substrates having little or no microcracking, and a high thermal shock resistance. The porous ceramic honeycomb substrates generally comprise a primary cordierite ceramic phase as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the cordierite substrates.

Abstract: Substantially non-microcracked, porous, cordierite ceramic honeycomb bodies are provided. Although exhibiting moderately high thermal expansion (CTE) between 7×10?7 to 16×10?7/° C. (25-800° C.), the honeycomb bodies exhibit relatively high thermal shock parameter (TSP), such as TSR?525° C. by virtue of a high MOR/E ratio, and/or low Eratio=ERT/E1000° C. and well interconnected porosity, as witnessed by a relatively high pore connectivity factor (PCF). A method of manufacturing the honeycomb ceramic structure is also provided.

Abstract: A radial cell ceramic honeycomb structure is provided that is particularly adapted for use as a catalytic carrier or a particulate filter in an automotive or diesel exhaust system. The honeycomb structure includes a network of interconnected webs having a central axis. The network of webs includes radial webs of varying lengths, only some of which substantially extend the entire radial length of the network, and tangential webs that intersect to define rings of gas-conducting radial cells, and a rounded outer skin that surrounds the cells formed by the interconnected webs. The radial webs extending to the periphery of the network join an inner edge of the outer skin in a substantially orthogonal orientation to reduce thermally generated stresses and to increase strength of the resulting structure. The number of radial webs in the network changes along the radial length at transition zones that are defined by one of the tangential webs such that a desired cell density is achieved across the network.

Abstract: A porous cordierite ceramic honeycomb article with increased mechanical strength and thermal shock resistance. The porous cordierite ceramic honeycomb article has MA<2220, or MT>2660 wherein MA=3645(IA)?106(CTE)+19(d90)+17(% porosity), MT=4711(IT)+116(CTE)?26(d90)?28(% porosity), and a CTE?9×10?7/° C. in at least one direction. A method of manufacturing is also disclosed wherein the inorganic raw material mixture contains talc, an alumina-forming source, a silica-forming source, and 0-18 wt. % of a kaolin or calcined kaolin containing not more than 8 wt. % of a fine kaolin source having a median particle diameter of less than 7 ?m, wherein the fired porous ceramic cordierite honeycomb article has a porosity<54% . Alternatively, if greater than 8 wt. % of the fine kaolin source is used, then a slow ramp rate is utilized from 1200° C. to 1300° C. of not more than 20° C./hr.

Abstract: A thin-walled porous ceramic wall-flow filter is disclosed. The filter produces a relatively lower pressure drop coupled with relatively high initial filtration efficiency (FE0), and may enable packaging the filter in a smaller volume. The filter includes a plurality of porous ceramic walls forming cell channels. At least some of the cells are plugged forcing some exhaust gases through the walls, thereby filtering out entrained particulates. The walls have a wall thickness (Twall) wherein 102 ?m?Twall<279 ?m, and a median pore diameter (MPD), and wherein 10<Twall/MPD, and may also be <40. The relatively small median pore diameter (MPD) in comparison to the wall thickness (Twall) allows the use of thinner ceramic walls that provide less flow resistance than thicker walls while maintaining sufficient initial filtration efficiency (FE0). Furthermore, such thin-walled filter structure coupled with unequal inlet/outlet area ratio (Ai/Ao) may allow filter lengths to be additionally shortened.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic honeycomb articles, which are composed predominately of a crystalline phase cordierite composition. The ceramic honeycomb articles possess a microstructure characterized by a unique combination of relatively high porosity between 42% and 56%, and relatively narrow pore size distribution wherein less than 15% of the total porosity has a pore diameter less than 10 ?m, less than 20% of the total porosity has a pore diameter greater than 30 ?m, and dbreadth?1.50 wherein dbreadth=(d90?d10)/d50. The articles exhibits high thermal durability and high filtration efficiency coupled with low pressure drop across the filter. Such ceramic articles are particularly well suited for filtration applications, such as diesel exhaust filters or DPFs. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the ceramic article wherein the pore former is preferably potato starch having a median particle diameter greater than 40 ?m.

Abstract: A ceramic wall-flow filter for filtering particulate matter from gases and methods for manufacturing such wall-flow filters are disclosed. The filter includes an array of porous ceramic walls defining a pattern of end-plugged inlet and outlet cells, and heat absorbing elements disposed within at least some of the outlet cells such that a bulk heat capacity of the outlet cells is greater than a bulk capacity of the inlet cells. The heat absorbing elements increase a bulk heat capacity of the filter without substantially interfering with a flow of gas through the porous ceramic walls by allowing thinner walls. According to the method, during the step of extruding or thereafter, heat absorbing elements are formed within at least some of the outlet cells such that a heat capacity of the outlet cells is greater than the inlet cells.

Abstract: A wall-flow honeycomb filter has a monolith body which includes repeating hexagonal unit cells, wherein each hexagonal unit cell has inner cells and outer cells arranged in a hexagonal symmetry, and wherein the inner cells are bordered by the outer cells and the outer cells are of diamond shape.

Abstract: A exhaust system and method for venting exhaust from an engine, such as a diesel engine, through an exhaust line coupled to the engine includes a first particulate filter disposed in the exhaust line and “close-coupled” with the engine, and a second particulate filter spaced a distance (d) from the first filter. The first particulate filter is “close-coupled” so that it operates in a passive regeneration mode to a greater extent than the second particulate filter. The first particulate filter may be a partial wall-flow filter including some plugged and some open channels. Some of the plugged channels may be plugged adjacent to an inlet end and others may be plugged adjacent to an outlet end. A partial wall-flow filter is also described having some unplugged flow-through channels and some plugged channels wherein some plugged channels are located adjacent to the inlet end and some are located adjacent to the outlet end.

Abstract: Compositions, and articles having low thermal expansion suitable for high temperature applications, such as automotive exhaust treatment and method of manufacturing such articles are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic honeycomb articles, which are composed predominately of a crystalline phase cordierite composition. The ceramic honeycomb articles possess a microstructure characterized by a unique combination of relatively high total porosity of less than 54%, and relatively narrow pore size distribution having a d10 pore diameter of not less than 8 ?m, a d90 pore diameter of not greater than 35 ?m, and a value of df=(d50?d10)/d50 of less than 0.50. The articles exhibit high thermal durability and high filtration efficiency coupled with low pressure drop across the filter. Such ceramic articles are particularly well suited for filtration applications, such as diesel exhaust filters or DPFs. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing the ceramic articles of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are porous ceramic honeycomb articles, such as filters, which are composed predominately of a cordierite composition. The ceramic honeycomb articles possess a porous microstructure characterized by a unique combination of relatively high porosity (>45%), and moderately narrow pore size distribution wherein greater than 15% and less than 38% of the total porosity exhibits a pore diameter less than 10 ?m, and low CTE wherein CTE?6.0×10?7/° C. (from 23° C. to 800° C.). The articles exhibit high thermal durability and high filtration efficiency coupled with low pressure drop. Such ceramic articles are particularly well suited for use in filtration applications, such as in diesel exhaust filters. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing the porous ceramic honeycomb article.

Abstract: A radial cell ceramic honeycomb structure is provided that is particularly adapted for use as a catalytic carrier or a particulate filter in an automotive or diesel exhaust system. The honeycomb structure includes a network of interconnected webs having a central axis. The network of webs includes radial webs of varying lengths, only some of which substantially extend the entire radial length of the network, and tangential webs that intersect to define rings of gas-conducting radial cells, and a rounded outer skin that surrounds the cells formed by the interconnected webs. The radial webs extending to the periphery of the network join an inner edge of the outer skin in a substantially orthogonal orientation to reduce thermally generated stresses and to increase strength of the resulting structure. The number of radial webs in the network changes along the radial length at transition zones that are defined by one of the tangential webs such that a desired cell density is achieved across the network.