Abstract: A compressed knitted wire mesh article having soft and hard wires, some of which are flat and some of which are round, is used a bushing, seal, seat, bushing, or catalyst support, and is especially useful as an end seal for a catalytic converter. The soft wire can be flat and disposed on the outside to aid it shielding the internal wire from corrosion due to impingement of hot exhaust gasses, and provides increased surface area for better sealing around the catalytic monolith. The hard and soft wires can be co-knit in the same knitting head as alternating wires or in any order, or with one wire wrapped around the other being fed to the knitting needle, or as a striped pattern. The mesh can be textured by precompression, such as crimping between rolls.

Abstract: A compressed knitted wire mesh article having soft and hard wires, some of which are flat and some of which are round, is used a bushing, seal, seat, bushing, or catalyst support, and is especially useful as an end seal for a catalytic converter. The soft wire can be flat and disposed on the outside to aid it shielding the internal wire from corrosion due to impingement of hot exhaust gasses, and provides increased surface area for better sealing around the catalytic monolith. The hard and soft wires can be co-knit in the same knitting head as alternating wires or in any order, or with one wire wrapped around the other being fed to the knitting needle, or as a striped pattern. The mesh can be textured by precompression, such as crimping between rolls.

Abstract: Catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide in the presence of oxygen is achieved using a solid oxide solution of the formula:La.sub.0.8 Sr.sub.0.2 MO.sub.3.+-..differential.where:M is a transition metal, and is preferably selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Y; and.differential. is the deviation from stoichiometric balance; or:La.sub.1.8 Sr.sub.0.2 CuO.sub.4.+-..differential.where:.differential. is the deviation from stoichiometric balance. The solid oxide solution catalyst exhibits catalytic activity for nitrous oxide decomposition which rivals or exceeds that of dispersed noble metals on alumina.