Volkswagen selects Corning DuraTrap AT diesel particulate filters

17 November 2005

Corning Incorporated announced that Volkswagen AG is equipping selected European-market diesel passenger cars with particulate filter systems utilizing the new DuraTrap® AT substrate. This represents the first application of the Corning DuraTrap AT filter.

The Corning DuraTrap AT substrate will be used in a filter system available as an option on Golf, Golf Plus and Touran vehicles with a 2.0 TDI (103 kW / 140 hp) engine. Production of vehicles with this particulate filter system commenced in the fourth quarter of 2005. Corning is producing the filter at its manufacturing facilities in Erwin, NY.

The Corning DuraTrap AT filter is a wall-flow monolith utilizing an aluminum titanate composition. Due to the low thermal expansion of the material, the AT filter does not require segmentation and uses a monolithic structure. The AT substrates also feature an asymmetrical cell configuration, where the cross-section of the inlet channels is larger than that of the outlet channels, to improve ash storage for enhanced filter life.

Additional commercial applications for the AT product are expected next year. The global diesel products market could grow into a $1 billion market by 2008, said Corning.

Until now, all particulate filters on European passenger cars utilized substrates made of silicon carbide (SiC), with Ibiden and NGK being the major suppliers.

Source: Corning (press release)