Iridium spark plugs. Iridium spark plugs: what is it

I would like to start from the very beginnings of engine building, which, as always, are not so obvious: all historical reports in one way or another boil down to the fact that the inventors either created a “prototype” modern internal combustion engine, or a nearly usable version. Among the many pursuers of the idea of ​​creating a more compact alternative steam engine the first and not the most successful in this area was Philippe Lebon, who in 1799 discovered the most suitable for ICE fuel in the form of coal-fired lighting gas (although oil has already been extracted for many centuries, they have not yet learned how to distill it into a fuel more suitable for the ignition process). Already in 1801, the inventor took another patent for the design gas engine internal combustion but could not make the dream come true. Closer to success was the French-Swiss inventor Francois Isaac de Rivaz, who in 1807 built the first piston engine that ran on hydrogen gas. The cylinder was set in motion by the detonation of a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen using a primitive ignition system: a spark was supplied manually at the moment the piston was in the lower dead center. But this time, the championship eluded another scientist: suitable for practical use de Rivas' car was not, rather, an indicative example. But another craftsman, the Belgian Jean-Etienne Lenoir, after numerous and unsuccessful attempts, was still able to create a commercially successful serial engine internal combustion, which was patented in 1859. For further development gasoline engine many inventions influenced: the progressive engines of Otto, Brighton, Daimler, the no less progressive carburetor of Donat Banka, the creation of ignition from magneto ...

Twin Tip technology is also on simple models range - Denso TT

But the first sparking systems were, to put it mildly, far from ideal: a spark arose either with the help of an “ignition tube” (a spark from a dynamo was transmitted directly to the piston or to the cylinder walls through a wire passed through a ceramic tube into the cylinder, igniting the working mixture ), or with the help of an incandescent tube (the element was heated by the passage of current or from an open flame, resulting in incandescent ignition). A more acceptable option for engines was proposed by Robert Bosch, showing the classic spark plug in 1902. Since then, the next half century general design candles progressed rather slowly. The real boom occurred in the second half of the 20th century, when competition in the automotive components market, coupled with general technological progress, seriously increased. one of key roles in the evolution of the "candle business" played Denso In 1974, he was the first in the world to offer a spark plug with a central platinum electrode, the diameter of which was only 1.1 mm.

The use of precious metal in such a "consumable" as a spark plug, at the very last turn was marketing ploy. This material has become one of the most important technical revolution. One of the founders of the Soviet platinum industry, Professor Orest Zvyagintsev, compared the value of platinum with the value of salt in cooking - you need at least a little, but you can’t cook a good dinner without it ... What is the meaning of innovation?

Perhaps, both automakers, who are constantly improving the design of engines, and you and me, provoking this progress with growing requirements for the product, have equally influenced the emergence of new items. Let's start with the fact that creating a high-quality "ordinary" candle that will work properly for its intended service life is not an easy task in itself: the candle is constantly in extreme conditions, being exposed to highest pressure and temperature. In addition, the candle must ignite fuel mixture dozens of times per second and regularly pass through itself a powerful electric charge under a voltage of 20-30 thousand volts for many, many hours ... And car manufacturers, in addition, set the task of multiplying its service life! Moreover, in last years dimensions spark plugs are getting smaller due to the denser layout of the combustion chamber. So, for example, the number of valves in each cylinder has grown from an average of 2 to 4 or 5; the volume of the cylinders, on the contrary, is increasingly reduced; and system injectors direct injection now they are in the same neighborhood. As a result, instead of the previously familiar M18 threaded candles, M14, M12, and even M10 sizes are now becoming more common. For such a small candle, solving the problems of temperature stability and heat dissipation, not to mention its resource, is becoming increasingly difficult. One of the ways to extend the life of the plug by increasing the number of ground electrodes has a number of disadvantages: combustion worsens working mixture because of her limited access to the place of spark formation, the risk of carbon deposits increases, heat removal worsens, engine performance for CO and NO decreases ... With the use of platinum, the stage began to increase the life of candles: resistance to corrosion at high temperatures ah and electrochemical destruction of this metal is much higher than that of traditional chromium-nickel alloys. So, in 1974 Japanese company produced the world's first spark plug with a platinum electrode with a diameter of 1.1 mm. But the most successful, according to Denso experts, the way of candle evolution is the use of iridium alloys. High attention to the rarest element is quite justified: iridium has a melting point of 2466 ° C, has the highest corrosion resistance at high temperatures and is the hardest metal on earth after osmium. Iridium and osmium belong to the platinum group and have the highest, almost identical, density. Thus, among other achievements, in 1997 the Japanese company was the first in the world to produce a spark plug with a unique iridium electrode. Since then, the design of iridium spark plugs has been improved twice, and the result of "Super Ignition" (SIP) technology is the combination of the world's thinnest center electrode with a diameter of only 0.4 mm and a platinum ground electrode with a diameter of 0.7 mm. It is extremely important to keep the diameters of the electrodes at a minimum level: the smaller their area, the less electrical voltage required for ignition, which in turn becomes more efficient. IN end result only advantages await the user: engine dynamics improves, fuel consumption decreases, efficiency and uniformity of engine operation increase, and it is also much easier to start it when low temperatures. As for the resource, Iridium TT surpassed platinum candles in this indicator and can last up to 120,000 km (the resource of standard nickel candles, for comparison, reaches 15,000–20,000 km). If we are talking about a resource, such iridium spark plugs should be of interest to drivers who own cars on gas fuel: known to be higher than gasoline ICE The voltage and temperature of combustion in these engines will seriously shorten the life of the plugs, while the Iridium TT series of iridium plugs have an increased resistance compared to conventional plugs.

By the way, a similar design is used on simpler models of the line: Denso spark plugs Twin Tip (TT) is made with a central and side electrodes with a thin spike with a diameter of 1.5 mm without the use of precious metals, which makes it possible to make them comparable in price to standard nickel counterparts. Representatives of the company are especially proud that the entire TT line, including Nickel and Iridium models, is different a high degree unification and includes a total of 35 articles that cover 89% of the best-selling cars in Europe.

Iridium spark plugs are a serious competitor to platinum devices. The technical characteristics of the car can be significantly improved if the set of conventional elements is replaced with a set of iridium. Such candles are stronger, therefore they last longer than ordinary ones.

Properties of iridium as a material

Innovative igniters air-fuel mixture are made by laser welding of iridium electrodes. The melting point is about 2500 degrees. Since the beginning of the 21st century, iridium has been used in industry for the production of igniters.

In the industrial industry, not pure iridium is used, but alloys. It is impossible to work with the material in its pure form - it is too fragile, its electrical conductivity is low. But alloys improve the quality of the final product many times over. Alloys are used to make electrodes with much thinner tips. With such components, the motor runs more smoothly, the car accelerates faster.

What is the difference between iridium spark plugs and regular spark plugs?

The main difference between iridium candles and ordinary ones is in the material. It is iridium that spark plug electrodes owe their unique properties that distinguish them from classical devices.

Since the melting point of iridium is high, the electrodes on which the material is deposited do not fail for a long time. The iridium candle differs in appearance from the classical one - the central electrode is slightly smaller in diameter, and the side electrode has a wedge-shaped shape. This results in a stronger spark. The use of rare earth material improves the operation of the engine system - in cold weather the engine starts faster.

Iridium igniters contribute to economical fuel consumption, increase the power of the power unit. But if simple candles can be used with fuel of any quality, only a mixture with premium characteristics is suitable for iridium. More fuel is consumed during ignition. In a conventional spark generator, the fuel is located in a small gap between the electrodes, and the spark is formed at the edge of the central one. In the iridium version, the spark creates a funnel that expands from one electrode to another.

The difference is also in the price. Iridium candles are much more expensive.

Which spark plugs are better: iridium or platinum?

There are 3 types of spark-forming elements:

• copper (variations - chrome, nickel);
• platinum (PS);
• iridium (IS).

The last 2 options are best performance. The fact that platinum elements are inferior to iridium is true, but only in part. It is necessary to take into account the manufacturability of the power unit. If the best iridium spark plugs are installed on an old-style engine with a slight measure of compression, this will not greatly affect engine power, as well as fuel consumption. Therefore, it is not worth putting iridium devices on old motors.

There is a myth among drivers that the elements with iridium sputtering on the electrodes are not flooded. This is not so, because if fuel or other working fluid gets into the combustion chamber, this will not save them from flooding either. Devices coated with rare materials must not be cleaned in the usual mechanical way.

Using low-grade fuel and driving on bad roads they do not allow spark generators of any type to work out the entire period declared by the manufacturer - even on a serviceable motor. Modern devices must travel 100,000 km - in practice, it turns out no more than 70-80 thousand km. This applies to both platinum and iridium elements.

Platinum and iridium-coated candles have almost the same technical characteristics, but there are still differences. The diameter of the electrode on the PS is 0.7 mm, on the IS is 0.4 mm. This indicates greater efficiency and functionality of the latter.

The thinner the electrode, the more stable the spark formation even under reduced voltage conditions. And since iridium is much more refractory than platinum, ICs can withstand much heavy loads. Their specifications are also improved by using not a pure rare earth element, but its alloys - rhodium is usually used as an anti-oxidation additive.

Conclusion: IP is somewhat better than platinum elements, but these advantages can be nullified by Russian realities. ICs are a bit more expensive.

Pros and cons of iridium candles

When choosing spark generators, do not be guided by price. Buying ordinary items, you will save, but it can "go sideways." It is better to look at the pros and cons of the options.

The main advantage of IS is efficiency. Due to the use of a thin thread in them, the contact area between the electrode and the flame core is reduced. By the way, in classic candles, the spark gap is almost 3 times larger.

Excellent flammability and modest voltage requirements are another couple of pluses. Thanks to a more complete burnout, the efficiency of the engine is increased, productivity is increased by 6-8%. Fuel consumption is lower by 6-7%. Exhaust toxicity is less - that's why iridium candles are better.

Among the disadvantages are the high price and the fact that ICs can only be used on modern motors. It is better to put classic spark generators on ordinary models.

It is not easy to pay about 3,000 rubles for a set of candles, knowing that a neighbor paid less than a hundred for similar ones. All the advantages of an expensive purchase are only in the future: the long mileage promised by advertising, some percentage of daily fuel savings, ease of starting ... In addition, there is no need frequent replacement: on modern motor this procedure is time consuming and expensive.

We decided to evaluate two polar designs of one reputable company in order to compare not technology various manufacturers, but the idea itself, embodied in the metal, ceteris paribus. The choice fell on Denso.

Iridium IW20 are the obvious leaders in the miniaturization of the central electrode: only 0.4 mm. Exactly thin electrode contributes to better self-cleaning and, consequently, to a longer service life. They were accompanied by the usual W20 EPR-U. The initial difference in cost is about five times.

We tracked the behavior of both types of spark plugs under the same conditions for 360 hours. Taking into account the knurling modes, this is equivalent to almost 35 thousand kilometers in specially prepared motors - with increased clearances in piston-cylinder group. This allowed for accelerated resource tests at increased consumption oil and accumulated deposits in the combustion chamber.

Ordinary candles

Ordinary candles slowly but surely worsened engine performance as they aged. Measurements taken after 180 hours showed a 4% increase in fuel consumption and an increase in exhaust emissions. After another 60 hours, the increase in consumption became significant: about 9%! At the same time, the lambda probe finally felt the gaps in flashes and could no longer compensate for it by adjusting the injection duration. At this stage, the tests of conventional candles were considered complete.

Iridium candles

Iridium candles showed the first signs of aging only on the way to the 300th hour of testing. And at the end of the cycle, that is, after 360 hours, the increase in average fuel consumption was only 3.0%. The toxicity of CO and CH increased a little more - by 10 ... 15%, which is also not so scary.

According to the resource, the account in engine hours is 360:240. For all operational parameters- from consumption to the level of toxicity - iridium is just as confidently ahead.

Hence the conclusion: if you have an expensive modern car and you commit on it big runs, it makes sense to spend money on iridium. And if the car is so-so, and it drives no more than 5 thousand a year, you are unlikely to recoup the investment. Such is the deceit of expensive things ...

Mikhail Kolodochkin, and Associate Professor of the Department of ICE, St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Ph.D. Alexander Shabanov

To ensure economy, maximum productivity and low cost of products, manufacturers around the world use the most Hi-tech production. Modern market offers candles from a variety of companies, among which brands such as NGK, Champion, Denso and Bosch are most known to car owners.

When making a choice, you need to know how to choose spark plugs for a car and be sure to pay attention to some requirements and characteristics:

• insulating properties;
• resistance to thermal shock;
• resistance to corrosion in the internal combustion chamber;
• reliability at high voltages;
• thermal conductivity of the insulator and electrodes.

Selection Options

Information about which candles are better is quite diverse, since each of them has its own functions and sizes, which should be taken into account when choosing. There are basic parameters of the best units:

Specifications

• diameter of the threaded part of the plug;
• thread diameter;
• spark gap - the distance between the side and central electrodes.

Number of side electrodes

electrodes

Production material:

• copper,
• nickel,
• platinum,
• iridium,
• silver;
• gold.

Thermal range

Temperature regime

Product resource

heat number

A conditional parameter that indicates the amount of pressure in the motor cylinder. This number should match your engine.

Even best candles have a certain thread length, diameter and type of cylinder head. The operation of the engine and pistons directly depends on how correct the choice will be.

electrodes

Must withstand corrosion and high temperature caused by flow electric current and gaseous products of combustion. Even the most good candles have one side and one central electrode. Recently, more and more manufacturers offer products with 2, 3 and 4 electrode models, which help in the mode low speed stabilize the engine.

• In order not to make a mistake when choosing spark plugs, follow the car's operating manual: it always indicates the brand of candle suitable for the engine.
• Inspect the candle: if you find sloppy or fuzzy markings, poor assembly or low-quality processing of product parts, refuse to purchase. Also, an indicator of forgery can indicate low cost famous candles trademark As a rule, branded products have their own signs of quality and a certain cost.
• Purchase spark plugs in specialized stores or from authorized dealers.
• If in doubt, ask the seller for a certificate confirming the quality of the spark plugs.

Iridium or platinum candles - how to make a choice

Modern technologies have made it possible to use iridium in the manufacture of spark plugs, its alloy is used in the production of central electrodes. Only laser welding is used to weld the iridium tip to the circumference of the electrode.

Benefits of an iridium spark plug

The advantages of such candles are obvious:

• Engine power increases up to 4%.
• The use of these elements allows power unit develop maximum power.
• Less fuel consumption – up to 7% savings.
• The engine starts easily even at the lowest temperatures.
• The service life is doubled.

Iridium candles also have their disadvantages:

• Fairly high cost.
• High fuel requirements.

Unlike all existing this moment analogues, iridium has the highest wear resistance and strength, and even regardless of the degree of load, iridium candles work stably.

Benefits of Platinum Spark Plug

Platinum candles appeared on automotive market followed by two-electrode spark plugs. Platinum as a chemical element has high rate melting, which is confirmed by the very good performance. Spark plugs with platinum electrodes are durable and have a high margin of safety. They withstand not only high operating temperatures, but also their sudden changes.

• They have high anti-corrosion properties.
• Strong ignition spark.
• The service life is longer than that of simple classic candles.
• The spark gap does not change, keeping the working indicator for a long time.
• The service life is about 90,000 km.
• Ideal for engines with a turbocharger.
• Their use reduces fuel consumption.

Which spark plugs are better iridium or platinum Everyone decides for himself, there are no special differences between them. In addition, now many manufacturers combine in products beneficial features these two metals.

How long does it take to change spark plugs

Every car owner should know after what mileage to change spark plugs. If this classic candles and made of steel, can only last an average of about 35-40 thousand kilometers, but made iridium or platinum they will last at least twice as long - about 90 - 120 thousand kilometers.

But the service life of spark plugs does not indicate when exactly they should be changed, since this is not only due to any one reason, but depends on many important factors, namely:

• Run. The more you drive your car, the faster the spark plugs will wear out. Experts call for a replacement every 35-40 thousand km.
• Driving style. Intensive operation of candles under the influence of high temperatures or at very high speeds makes them more vulnerable.
• fuel quality, lubricants. When using low-quality fuel, a lot of carbon deposits remain on engine parts and on candles, which worsens their performance and may require their replacement after 20 thousand kilometers.
• Serviceability of the engine and its main systems. If you want to significantly extend the life of the candles, keep the engine in good condition.
• Age and brand of car. On old "domestic" cars, candles will have to be changed more often than on new "foreign cars".
• Candle material. The more reliable and better the alloys from which the candles are made, the longer they will last.
• external operating conditions. Frequent temperature changes can damage spark plugs, and even the engine itself.

Now you know how to choose the right car candles and what are the differences platinum candles from iridium. At the same time, we recommend watching a video about testing various spark plugs at the stand. Video at the bottom of the page.

Recently, manufacturers have simply bombarded the global car market with various types of spark plugs. However, domestic drivers are accustomed to ordinary candles and are traditionally wary of innovations. Among them special attention deserve iridium spark plugs.

Many motorists about iridium candles only know that they are expensive, but everyone talks a lot about specific features and advantages and not always clearly and clearly. So is it worth spending money on this new product, or is it the old-fashioned way to limit yourself to proven conventional candles?

Definition

Ordinary candles- This is a device used to ignite the air-fuel mixture and create a mini-explosion that pushes the pistons of the power plant, which rotate crankshaft to drive the vehicle.

Iridium candles - This is a device similar in tasks to ordinary candles, but made using an alloy of a special metal - iridium.

Comparison

The main difference lies in the material used for the manufacture - central electrodes Iridium spark plugs are made using the rare earth metal iridium. It is thanks to its properties that these candles have a number of advantages over conventional ones.

Iridium is characterized by excellent strength and elevated temperature melting, so the electrode coated with this metal provides a significant extension of the service life of the device.

The shape of the elements of an iridium candle is also unusual: the side electrode is wedge-shaped, and the central one is much smaller in diameter than conventional candles. This achieves powerful sparking. In addition, iridium candles contribute to a more stable operation of the car engine and a better start of the power plant on frosty days than regular candles.

Iridium spark plugs are more fuel efficient and provide the engine with a greater power boost than conventional spark plugs. The only drawbacks of iridium candles are the high cost and capriciousness to fuel quality.

Findings site

1. Ordinary candles are a device for igniting combustible mixture V power plant to drive the vehicle.
2. Iridium candles have a special design and are made using iridium.
3. Iridium spark plugs have a wedge-shaped side electrode and a thin central one.
4. Iridium candles last several times longer than conventional ones.
5. Iridium spark plugs provide stable work engine, easy start in cold weather.
6. Ordinary candles lose to iridium in terms of increased power and fuel economy.
7. Iridium candles are much more expensive than conventional ones and are capricious about fuel quality.