froggy said:
The exact amounts per style of cats are kind of a trade secret by those who process them.
I'm not of the same mindset with my yield data. I'll gladly post any yield information I obtain on cats.
I think the difference in the cost of OEM vs aftermarket is not due to PGM content but instead due to manufacturers markup.
The EPA has specific emission control guidelines for the manufacturers of cats (as of Jan 1, 1988) that must be followed for the cat to meet the required emission control standards in the US. These standards require a specific level of catalytic activity from the converter which translates to PGM content in the cat. The shortcomings of the aftermarket cat are noticed when they are installed on an incompatible vehicle type.
If what you are saying is true, either the aftermarket cats are not as effective at controlling these emissions or that the OEM units are made to exceed the standards.
I think the main difference in the OEM vs aftermarket cats is vehicle compatibility. Since OEMs are made to fit a variety of vehicles the performance of the cat may be reduced for some vehicle types as compared to the OEM conterpart.
Here's an EPA document that reinforces my position:
OEM vs Aftermarket Cats
and a more recent EPA web site on OEM vs aftermarket cats:
Updated aftermarket cat info
Here's a verbatim quote from the above website:
EPA Document said:
Abstract: The aftermarket catalytic converter policy allows
aftermarket automobile catalytic converter manufacturers and
reconditioners to compete with the automobile manufacturers for the
aftermarket catalytic converter replacement market. Without this policy,
it would be illegal to sell or install aftermarket catalytic
converters that do not conform exactly to the automobile manufacturers'
original equipment (OE) versions of these parts.
I have highlighted some important text.
This brings up a good experiment for me to run. I'll compare the PGM yields from a single OEM cat to a single aftermarket cat and post the results in due time.
Steve