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Spark
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Tech Info |
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| Disclaimer:Any information provided on this website is for general guidance only. It does not constitute any contractual term, representation or warranty. As such, spark-plugs.co.uk takes no responsibility in respect of any claim whatsoever and howsoever caused arising from use of any information on this website. Prices may be subject to change without warning. The presence of a spark plug in our price lists does not necessarily guarantee availability. |
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Technical
Information
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Iridium spark plug specifications and benefits |
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| Relatively recent advances in fabrication techniques
have enabled the use of Iridium - an incredibly hard precious metal,
for the construction of spark plug electrodes. Laser welding technology
is used to weld the Iridium tip to spark plugs manufactured by both
Denso and NGK. |
 Denso Iridium tip - click to enlarge |
| Notable properties of Iridium are its melting point
- approximately 2450 degrees C, considerably higher than Platinum,
and it's strength - approximately 8 times that of platinum. The table
below compares the characteristics of Iridium with those of other
precious/semi-precious metals commonly used in the construction of
spark plugs. |
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Advantages of Iridium spark plug types |
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Because of the properties of Iridium, the spark plugs centre electrode can be made with a much smaller diameter than with platinum types (0.8mm), Gold or gold palladium and copper/nickel types. This means that spark plugs potential difference is more concentrated and hence less 'spark jump' voltage is required - this can be as much as 5,000 volts less than with standard plug types. Ignition is improved and less strain is placed on the ignition system. Benefits of improved ignition/combustion include better fuel economy, increased power/acceleration and especially better throttle response.
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NGK Iridium IX spark plugs |
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NGK's Iridium IX product range of spark plugs in the UK is aimed predominantly at the motorcycle market. There are now a few instances of cars officially imported into the UK (Mainly Renault vehicles) that now use Iridium IX spark plugs as standard equipment - proof that the motoring manufacturers have tried and tested and now trust the product. NGK Iridium IX plugs are much more freely available in the US and for a wider range of car applications. |
| Sparkplugs.co.uk keep most commonly requested Iridium IX parts in stock for immediate despatch and can obtain spark plugs to satisfy most other requirements on request. | |
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The Iridium part of the spark plug is usually the centre electrode alone although some OEM Iridium plugs are available which also contain a chip of Iridium in the ground electrode. Service life of some OEM Iridium spark plugs can be as much as 120000 miles with very little degrading of performance in that lifespan. NGK Iridium IX types have a centre electrode tipped with Iridium alloy with a 0.6mm diameter. NGK believe this gives the optimum balance between performance and service life. Service life estimates are up to 60000 miles for cars and 20000 to 30000 for motorcycles although this is subject to application of course.
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Denso Iridium Power spark plugs |
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Denso's current Iridium Power product range is aimed mainly at the performance car market although they have begun to release application information for motorcycles. We can usually cross reference NGK parts to Denso parts and vice versa to provide a plug to your specification. |
| Construction of NGK and Denso plugs is similar for the most part, the big difference being Denso's use of a 0.4mm Iridium tipped centre electrode - claimed to be the world's smallest production centre electrode, where NGK's is 0.6mm. As with NGK Iridium, and indeed most other spark plugs, the narrower the centre electrode is, the lower the potential difference (voltage) that is required to jump the gap between centre and ground electrodes. It follows that the Denso plug will require an even lower 'spark jump' voltage than the NGK plug. The Denso plug also utilises a 'u-grooved' ground electrode which is claimed to aid in the production of a 'flame core' which further improves the combustion process. In theory, all the benefits offered by the NGK Iridium are further improved by the Denso Iridium with the exception of service life. The smaller diameter of the Denso centre electrode means that less wear can take place before the plugs' optimum service life is exceeded. | |