For high temperature combustion chambers, therefore, iridium spark plugs are sometimes the only option. Iridium has a high melting point of 2460☌, which is superior to both platinum (1768☌), and copper (1084☌). Iridium is part of the platinum group of metals but is around eight times as strong as platinum itself, meaning that an iridium spark plug can take a lot of damage before it starts deteriorating, and is less prone to unexpected failure.ģ) Iridium Spark Plugs Have Greater Temperature Resistance This helps keep repair bills down and reduces the total lifetime cost of ownership of your engine. On average, an iridium spark plug might last 3000 to 4000 operating hours.
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However, despite the higher cost, iridium spark plugs are still the best high-performance option, for the following reasons:īusinesses that upgrade to iridium spark plugs from alternative metals always report a longer component lifespan. All these factors increase the relative cost of iridium spark plugs. Additionally, iridium is complex to extract from its ore, and the resultant metal is brittle and difficult to work with. The price of iridium has risen steeply during 2021 and is currently the highest priced of the precious metals regularly traded on the commodities market. Iridium is an extremely rare metal that is only mined in certain locations, and global supply has been severely affected by travel and processing restrictions during the pandemic. Iridium spark plugs cost more than other varieties because of the scarcity of iridium itself. Due to this short lifespan, most copper spark plugs need to be changed every 20,000 miles.Request a Callback Why Are Iridium Spark Plugs So Expensive? Over time, this wear leads to the spark plugs fouling and not working as efficiently as they did when they were new. The nickel-alloy outer material used in the copper spark plug isn’t as hard as other metals so it wears down more quickly with the high pressure and heat created in the cylinder of the engine.
Copper spark plugs are also often used in older (pre-1980s) vehicles with a distributor-based ignition system. They are often installed as original equipment in turbocharged engines and engines with higher compression ratios. A standard spark plug typically features a nickel-alloy outer material fused to the copper-core electrodes.Ĭopper spark plugs run cooler and provide more power in performance driving situations. While almost all spark plugs feature a copper core, many people refer to the common spark plug as a “copper” spark plug. The copper spark plug is the most common and cheapest plug available. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the copper spark plug? These metals also help extend the interval between spark plug changes and decrease the misfire rate. The use of metals like nickel alloy, platinum and iridium reduces the wear caused by high voltage sparks. This is the vital spark that starts the combustion process. The metal channels the high voltage from the spark plug wire through the spark plug so it can spark when it goes across the small gap between the central electrode and the side electrode. Manufacturers use precious and other metals in the center and side electrodes of a spark plug.
What is the purpose of metal in a spark plug?
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