| 摘要 |
<p>A support element (20) is disposed between a housing (12) and a fragile structure (18) resiliently mounted within the housing (12). The support element (20) includes an integral, substantially non-expanding ply or layer of melt-formed ceramic fibers containing at least alumina and silica. The fibers have an average diameter ranging from about 1 micron to about 14 microns and have been heat treated by treating the fibers at a temperature of at least 1100 °C over a 30-minute period, or at a temperature of at least 990 °C for a period of at least on hour. The resultant heat treated fibers exhibit suitable handling properties, have at least about 5 to about 50 percent crystallinity as detected by x-ray diffraction, and have a crystallite size of from about 50 A to about 500 A. The resultant support element (20) provides a minimum residual pressure for holding the fragile structure (18) within the housing (12) after 200 cycles of testing at 900 °C of at least 4 psi. Such a support element (20) may be used in devices for the treatment of exhaust gases, such as catalytic converters (10), diesel particulate traps and the like. A method of mounting a fragile structure (18) in such a device is also provided.</p> |
