Noah Chemicals Provides Inorganic Chemicals for the Automotive Industry – The Catalytic Converter
Noah Chemicals provides inorganic chemicals for the automotive industry in multiple applications, such as the catalytic converter. A three-way catalyst, the catalytic converter oxidizes carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and reduces nitrogen oxides to molecular nitrogen. The chemicals used to achieve these processes are noble metals, also known as platinum group metals, and include platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Platinum and palladium oxidize the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons produced in the automotive exhaust, while rhodium reduces nitrogen oxides.
Noah Chemicals Provides Noble Metals – Major Contributions: Strontium and Barium Compounds
Other chemicals used in catalytic converters are cerium and zirconium oxide, and two of Noah Chemicals major contributions, strontium, and barium compounds. Cerium oxide is used for oxygen storage and as an oxygen donator and zirconium oxide improves thermal stability. Noah Chemicals strontium and barium compounds act as stabilizers for binding noble metals.
Noah Chemicals Provides Chemicals for Automotive Paint and Solar Reflectance
Another major chemical contribution to the automotive industry is in paint production. Inorganic high-performance pigments were the leading chemical applications used in premium automotive coatings up until 2015 when organic high performance pigments became more widespread.
Ceramic coatings based on silicon dioxide polymer have become quite popular and can offer years of automotive paint protection. A recent trend is adding graphene oxides to the ceramic base to improve the improved resistance and UV protection in over ceramic coatings alone. Chemicals can also provide solar reflective properties, slowing the oxidation of automobile finishes. White pigments such as titanium dioxide have higher solar reflectance than darker pigments. The whiter the pigment, the higher the reflectance, and chemicals such as a special barium sulfate can be used as an ultra-white pigment for automobile paint. This is significant because high reflectance keeps automotive interiors and exteriors much cooler than their outside surroundings, both in the heat of the day as well as at night.
While ultra-white paints reflect up to 98.1% of the sun’s energy, the extreme opposite pigment Vantablack, made from carbon nanotubes, absorbs 99.9% of the sun’s energy. Ultra-white paints have been shown to cool below ambient temperatures and could theoretically replace air-conditioning.
Noah Chemicals Provides Chemicals for Chrome, Aluminum, Metal Alloys, and Alloy Compositions
Chemicals also contribute to the shine factor of chrome. Chrome plating is a process in which thin layers of chromium are coated on base metals such as steel, copper, and nickel, to achieve the desired look. Chromic acid and chromate baths use electroplating to reduce chromium to metal from a hexavalent state, making chrome plating possible. Aluminum, metal alloys and alloy compositions are also used in the automotive industry. Aluminum’s tensile strength-to-weight ratio and its price point make it highly desirable as a main component in wheels (rims). Alloys and various alloy compositions are also used for wheels and within automotive frames.
For more information about Noah Chemicals and Noah Chemicals Services for your automotive industry chemicals or automotive industry chemical service needs, please contact Noah Chemicals here or call (888) 291-1186.
