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Precious Metals
Catalytic Converters
Grade: VariousVery High Tier
Automotive catalysts containing platinum, palladium, rhodium
Market Price EstimateUpdated Daily
$1,850/ MT
+125 (7.2%)vs yesterday
Verified specifications & market data
Chemical Composition
Elemental breakdown by percentage weight.
Standard composition limits
Values represent maximum allowed percentage unless otherwise noted.
Physical Properties
Material form, density, and contamination specifications.
End-of-life vehicle (ELV) catalytic converters; automotive emission control devices from vehicle retirement/dismantling; concentrated PGM source (2-5 grams per unit); established automotive recycling infrastructure; extremely high-value waste stream; highest supplier density commodity; primary precious metal recovery source
Acceptable Inclusions
- PGM 2-5 grams total (converter specification)
- Ceramic monolith (aluminum oxide; substrate)
- Stainless steel housing (outer can)
- Carbon/combustion residue (expected usage)
- Oil/fuel residue (typical automotive)
Prohibited Materials
- PGM <2 grams or >5 grams (outside specification)
- Corroded/damaged converters (incomplete PGM content)
- Mixed converter types incompatible for processing
- Unknown converter composition or source
- Hazardous materials (leaking fluids, non-standard waste)
Quality Assurance
Testing protocols, sampling methods, and acceptance criteria.
Sampling Protocol
frequencyStratified random sampling by vehicle type; emissions tier distribution assessment; content estimation by converter classification
maximumQuantity3,000+ converters per shipment
minimumQuantity100-300 converters or 50-100 kg per sample batch
percentage5-10% of lot
stratificationSample across different vehicle classes; different model years; emissions tiers
Acceptance Limits
all Criteria Must PassMaterial must be automotive converter; 2-5g; vehicle class confirmed; monolith integrity adequate
converter AuthenticityConfirmed as automotive catalytic converter; honeycomb structure unmistakable; not counterfeit/non-catalyst
extraction Viabilityextraction processing ; recovery yield ; precious metal recovery confirmed
monolith IntegrityCeramic monolith >70% intact; structural condition adequate for precious metal extraction
pgm Content2-5 grams per converter
vehicle ClassificationVehicle class/model year confirmed; emissions tier verified
Weight Tolerance
measurementVerified by certified scale; weight accountability for precious metal commodity
variance±15% from expected weight
Required Test Methods
Visual Inspection & Converter Authentication
Purpose
- Confirm automotive catalytic converters (NOT non-catalyst waste
- NOT aftermarket knock-offs)
- verify honeycomb structure
- identify converter type
Acceptance Criteria
- Catalytic converter characteristic unmistakable
- ceramic honeycomb structure visible
- stainless steel housing standard
- converter type identifiable
Procedure
- 100% visual inspection
- verify honeycomb structure visible
- confirm stainless can
- identify OEM vs. universal fit
- assess ceramic monolith condition (not shattered)
Vehicle/Engine Class Identification
CRITICAL
Purpose
- identify vehicle class (sedan, truck, SUV, diesel)
- model year estimation
- PGM content predictive classification
Acceptance Criteria
- Vehicle class confirmed
- model year estimated
- emissions tier classification determined (TIER 2/3, Euro 4/5)
- PGM yield estimate established
Procedure
- Converter marking identification
- serial number cross-reference
- emissions standard verification
- PGM composition estimated by vehicle class database
Converter Integrity Assessment
Purpose
- Evaluate ceramic monolith condition
- assess PGM extraction feasibility
- determine recovery processing viability
Acceptance Criteria
- Monolith structurally sound (intact or >70% intact)
- stainless housing intact
- precious metal extraction
Procedure
- Visual inspection
- shake test for monolith integrity
- assess ceramic breakage (minor cracking acceptable
- major shattering problematic)
- determine if processing recovery viable
PGM Content Estimation
Purpose
- Estimate PGM content (2-5 grams typical)
- validate against vehicle class specifications
- project precious metal recovery yield
Acceptance Criteria
- PGM 2-5 grams estimated
- vehicle class specification confirmed
- extraction yield projection
Procedure
- Cross-reference vehicle data + converter specification database
- emissions tier classification
- PGM breakdown (Pt%, Pd%, Rh%) estimated
- total precious metal yield projected
Carbon/Combustion Residue Assessment
Purpose
- Evaluate combustion residue loading
- verify typical used converter condition
- carbon loading assessment
Acceptance Criteria
- Carbon loading typical for used converters
- no abnormal contamination
- standard usage evident
Procedure
- Visual inspection for carbon/soot deposits
- assess deposit level
- verify typical vs. degraded condition
- black carbon patina characteristic