Title: A study on spark plug electrode shape

Authors: K. Nishio, T. Oshima, H. Ogura

Addresses: NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd., Spark Plug Division, 14-18 Takatsuji-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467, Japan. ' NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd., Spark Plug Division, 14-18 Takatsuji-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467, Japan. ' NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd., Spark Plug Division, 14-18 Takatsuji-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467, Japan.

Abstract: The electrode shape of the spark plug affects its breakdown voltage, ignitability and spark erosion. A thin electrode (@ = 0.5 mm) improves these characteristics except for spark erosion. This paper presents a spark erosion mechanism under glow discharge for developing material suitable for the thin electrode. The results suggest that the spark erosion mechanism is related to sputtering under glow discharge and that the spark erosion volume is decreased by dispersing a rate earth metal oxide into iridium (Ir).

Keywords: air-fuel mixture; breakdown voltage; electrode shape; glow discharge; ignitability; iridium; rare earth metals; spark erosion; spark plug electrodes; sputtering; thin electrodes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1994.061910

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1994 Vol.15 No.1/2, pp.119 - 130

Published online: 28 May 2014 *

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