Damper box or catalyst? Eliminated the misunderstanding

Let's start with: We know that if everyone says it will be 'wrong' it will be 'right'. This article is not intended to be knowledgeable or to tap people on their fingers, we simply want to share knowledge to get all wiser. 

If you once walked past a motorcycle and you heard someone talking about "the catalyst" under the motorcycle, then you are certainly not the only one. This misunderstanding is common, and many enthusiasts are wrongly using the term "catalyst" to indicate the damper box. Let's dive into the world of motorcycles together and tell the real story!

What is the damper box?

The damper box (also known as exhaust damper) is a crucial part of the exhaust system of a motorcycle. The main objective of the damper box is to reduce the sound produced by the engine. That sounds simple, and it actually is. Inside the damper box there are various compartments and sound -absorbing materials that help dampen the turbulence and sound waves of the exhaust gases.

This openwork exhaust from the Kawasaki Z900 shows it well, you can clearly see that there is no catalyst in the box:

Why it is a damper and not a catalyst

People often call the damper box a catalyst, but the two are very different. While the damper box only regulates the sound of the engine, the catalyst has a completely different function. It is important to understand the difference, not only for your general knowledge, but also for the right maintenance of your motorcycle. Some motorcycles also have a catalyst in the damper box, but the primary function of the damperbox is to dampen sound, and is therefore not a catalyst in itself. In fact, the catalyst is actually a chemical element, and the mesh that we as professionals call 'catalyst' is actually a carrier of a catalyst, to make it easy.

The catalyst: what is it then?

A catalyst is a component that comes from the car and engine industry and is specifically designed to reduce harmful substances in the exhaust gases. The catalyst is not only intended to dampen sound, but to facilitate a chemical reaction that converts harmful compounds such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides into less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Function in the motorcycle

A catalyst ensures that the motorcycle meets the environmental standards set by many countries. It also ensures more efficient combustion of fuel, which can lead to better performance and less fuel consumption.

Get rid of the misunderstanding

It may be confusing that so many people indicate the damper box as a catalyst. This misunderstanding has several reasons:

1. Origin from the automotive industry: Most cars have a separate system with one box that contains the catalyst and one box that dampens the sound. Since this is both a lunch box of comparable form, this will probably be taken over to the terminology of engines.

2. General term: It is common for terms to change or be changed over the years. This can lead to a confusion between the two components in the general population.

3. Simplicity of language: The term "catalyst" sounds technical and can easily lead to the wrong conclusion that it is only about a sound -reducing part.

Stepping up: technological depth

Now let's become more technical, for those who want to know how these systems really work.

Internal's internal box

The damper box uses various techniques to dampen sound:

• Reflection and absorption: Sound is often muted by reflecting the sound in different compartments or absorbing with special materials that reduce the sound frequencies.

• Cocktail of sound -absorbing materials: Fabrics such as fiber optic and metal wire can be used to dampen the sound without blocking the exhaust gases.

How does a catalyst chemically work?

If we look at the catalyst itself, its effect is fascinating:

1. Chemical reactions: In the catalyst, chemical reactions take place that work as follows:

   • Oxidation: Harmful carbon monoxide (CO) is converted into less harmful carbon dioxide (CO2).
   • Reduction: Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are converted into nitrogen (N2).

2. Platform tractor: The catalyst has a special substrate covered with precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. These metals ensure that the reactions run faster and more efficiently without running out yourself.

A catalyst as used in the car. The principle is the same for engines, with the difference that the catalyst does not have its own 'drum' in a motorcycle but is usually in the bend set, immediately after the collector.

The collaboration between damperbox and catalyst

With motorcycles with both a damper box and a catalyst, these two components work together to improve the performance and environmental friendliness of the engine. Here is how they complement each other:

1. Order of components: Usually the catalyst is in the exhaust system before the damper box. This means that the exhaust gases first pass through the catalyst, where harmful substances are converted before they reach the damper box. As soon as the gases enter the damper box, they are further treated to reduce the noise level.

2. Optimal performance: By placing the catalyst before the damper box, the gases can be cleaned more efficiently, leading to cleaner and quieter exhaust gases. This can help with overall engine performance, because a well -functioning catalyst stimulates the engine to run more effectively.

3. Environmental impact: The combination of an effective damper box and catalyst ensures that motorcycles make less contribution to air pollution. The catalyst reduces harmful emissions while the damper box ensures that the sound remains within acceptable limits.

4. Maintenance and efficiency: It is important to properly maintain both the damper box and the catalyst. A malfunctioning catalyst can lead to increased emissions and possibly damage to the engine. On the other hand, a damaged damper box can ensure that the sound is too loud and the driving experience negatively influences.

The importance of the right terminology

Now that we have discussed the difference and cooperation between the damper box and the catalyst, it is clear why it is so important to use the right terminology. This not only helps to understand the functioning of your motorcycle, but it can also be crucial for maintenance and possible repairs. Certainly if you talk to a technician or specialist, wrong names can lead to confusion and not correctly solving problems.

Conclusion

So, the next time you hear someone refer to the damper box of their motorcycle as "the catalyst", you now know better. Although it is easy to understand how this misunderstanding originated, the reality is that these two components fulfill different functions in the operation of the motorcycle. It is a matter of clarity, and hopefully we have contributed to your knowledge about these important components with this blog.