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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, Sparkplugs Limited 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 technology is
used to weld the Iridium tip to spark plugs manufactured by both Denso
and NGK. It's worth noting that spark plugs can't increase the potential
power that an engine can generate but a more efficient spark will
provide more efficient combustion and associated performance and economy
benefits. A poor spark from a worn or low grade spark plug will reduce
efficiency. An Iridium plug will produce a more efficient spark. |
 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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Due to the properties of Iridium, the spark plugs centre electrode can be made with a much smaller diameter than with platinum, Gold or gold palladium and copper/nickel types without sacrificing service life. The spark plugs potential difference is more concentrated at the tiny Iridium tip 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 a few instances of cars officially imported into the UK that use Iridium IX spark plugs as standard equipment - evidence that automotive manufacturers have tried and tested and now trust the product. |
| Sparkplugs.co.uk keep limited stocks of the entire UK NGK Iridium IX range in stock for immediate despatch and can obtain non UK spark plugs to satisfy most other requirements on request. | |
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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 can be up to 60000 miles for normally aspirated car engines and up to 20000 miles for motorcycles - this is extremely subjective though, a high revving motorcycle or extremely modified car engine will most likely wear plugs out in a few thousand miles.
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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 and motorcycle markets. We can usually cross reference NGK parts to Denso parts and vice versa to provide a plug to your specification. |
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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 IX centre electrode 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 NGK Iridium plugs are further improved by the Denso Iridium plugs - 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. Denso also manufacture long life Iridium power plugs such as SVK20RZ8, VK22PR-Z11 etc. These maintain the 0.4mm Iridium centre electrode but also have a platinum 'chip' in the ground electrode to allow performance to be maintained for a much longer service life (up to 60000 miles). These plug types are usually recommended for high power turbo charged engines where wear may otherwise be accelerated. |
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Denso Iridium Power racing plugs |
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| Denso racing plugs are available for most applications and are a suitable replacement where standard Iridium power plugs may not cope adequately with extreme use and very harsh engine conditions. Superbly engineered with Denso's 0.4mm Iridium centre electrode and a 0.8mm solid platinum ground electrode. Supplied in a protective plastic case. Available heat ranges start at '24', equivalent to '8' on NGK's heat range scale |
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