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Technology · Established

An iridium tip survives repeated sparks

A small iridium-alloy electrode lets a spark plug combine a fine firing tip with durability in a combustion engine.

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THE MATERIAL THAT DOES THE WORK

Chemical form

Iridium is used in a fine tip, often as a proprietary . It is only one part of the plug: other components include a ceramic insulator, metal shell, and additional electrode materials.

IRIDIUM POWERIridium Spark Plugs

From material to application
  1. 01

    Choose the tip material

    A high-temperature iridium alloy is selected for a small firing surface with the required geometry.

  2. 02

    Join the assembly

    Precision welding secures the tip; ceramic insulation and the remaining metal components complete the plug.

  3. 03

    Sustain ignition

    The installed plug repeatedly sparks across its specified gap, with suitability and service life dependent on the complete engine application.

IRIDIUM POWER5 Things You Should Know About Spark Plugs

Why it works

Iridium's high melting point supports a very fine, durable firing surface. A fine electrode can reduce the voltage needed to initiate a spark. Its value comes from maintaining this useful geometry under demanding combustion conditions.

IRIDIUM POWER

How it is made & used

Manufacturers attach the small iridium tip to the center electrode using precision welding. DENSO describes an all-around laser weld for its iridium products. The final plug combines the welded tip with the insulator, housing, and specified electrode configuration.

IRIDIUM POWER

Inside the application

Each ignition event places an electrical discharge across a small gap. Over repeated operation, the firing surfaces must retain a workable shape. Iridium concentrates a durable material at that demanding location, showing how a tiny component can contribute to the service life of a larger assembly.

Iridium Spark Plugs

Limits & alternatives

A precious-metal tip does not make every plug suitable for every engine. Configuration, heat transfer, and the specified gap still matter. Fine electrodes can be damaged during improper gap adjustment, while incorrect installation can compromise heat dissipation and durability.

5 Things You Should Know About Spark Plugs

Part of a larger system

Some designs pair an iridium center tip with a platinum-tipped ground electrode. Many NGK precious-metal plugs also use a copper core for heat transfer. Several metals cooperate within a component commonly described by just one of them.

IRIDIUM TOUGH5 Things You Should Know About Spark Plugs

Continue the story

Follow a discovery, compare a material choice, or meet the people behind an idea.

APPLICATIONPrecious-metal surfaces that change exhaust chemistry ↗Follow precious metals into a different engine-related component, where accessible catalytic surface replaces firing-tip durability as the central requirement.APPLICATIONMicrostructures for the hot end of a turbine ↗Compare two demanding hot-service components whose material composition and manufactured geometry serve different functions.

Sources & further reading

  1. IRIDIUM POWER ↗DENSOTechnical documentation · Source checked
  2. Iridium Spark Plugs ↗NGK Spark PlugsTechnical documentation · Source checked
  3. 5 Things You Should Know About Spark Plugs ↗NGK Spark PlugsTechnical documentation · Source checked
  4. IRIDIUM TOUGH ↗DENSOTechnical documentation · Source checked

Sources and further reading. What the review labels mean