Which Material is Better for Spark Plugs?
1 Answers
Spark plugs made of precious metals are better. Spark plugs are crucial components in the ignition system of gasoline engines. They introduce high voltage into the combustion chamber and generate sparks by jumping across the electrode gap, thereby igniting the combustible air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. The main types of spark plugs include: standard spark plugs, extended insulator spark plugs, electrode spark plugs, seat-type spark plugs, pole-type spark plugs, and surface-gap spark plugs. Spark plugs are primarily composed of a terminal nut, insulator, terminal stud, center electrode, side electrode, and shell. Under high voltage, the air between the center electrode and the side electrode of the spark plug rapidly ionizes, forming positively charged ions and negatively charged free electrons. When the voltage between the electrodes reaches a certain level, the number of ions and electrons in the gas increases like an avalanche, causing the air to lose its insulating properties. A discharge channel forms across the gap, resulting in a "breakdown" phenomenon. At this point, the gas becomes a luminous body, known as a "spark." Along with the heat and expansion, a "crackling" sound is also produced. The temperature of this electric spark can reach 2000-3000°C, which is sufficient to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of the cylinder.
