Spark plug electrode and spark plug manufacturing method

摘要

A method of making a spark plug electrode includes several steps. One step includes providing an inner core of a ruthenium (Ru) based alloy or an iridium (Ir) based alloy. Another step includes providing an outer skin over a portion or more of the inner core in order to produce a core and skin assembly. The outer skin can be made of platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), or an alloy of one of these. Yet another step includes increasing the temperature of the core and skin assembly. And another step includes hot forming the core and skin assembly at the increased temperature.

主权项

1. A method of making a spark plug electrode, comprising the steps of:
a. providing an inner core of a ruthenium (Ru) based alloy or an iridium (Ir) based alloy; b. providing an outer skin over at least a portion of said inner core to produce a core and skin assembly, said outer skin having platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), or nickel (Ni), or having an alloy of Pt, an alloy of Au, an alloy of Ag, or an alloy of Ni; c. after said outer skin has been provided over said at least a portion of said inner core, increasing the temperature of said core and skin assembly to a temperature greater than 1,000° C.; and d. hot forming said core and skin assembly at the increased temperature into an elongated wire, wherein both of said inner core and said outer skin are elongated during the hot forming process.