Domestic three-way catalyst satisfies exhaust gas conversion efficiency or pressure drop etc. but doesn't satisfy thermal durability. Thermal stress analysis for three-way catalyst was performed based on experimental temperature distribution. Thermal safety of three-way catalyst was estimated by safety factor. Aspect ratio variable had the most significant effect on thermal stress. Thickness variable had the least significant effect on thermal stress. Optimal conditions for premature failure prevention of three-way catalyst were as follows : (1) aspect ratio of three-way catalyst : 0.6:1 (2) 2.84㎜ thick (3) silicon nitride. The safety of Taguchi-optimized three-way catalyst were 4.7 times higher than that of existent three-way catalyst.
