![](http://www.alamy.com/thumbs/6/3952C480-9724-4D08-ADBE-A246A1C1CF13/2ACMWT3.jpg)
Iridium-based spark plug. Spark plugs are devices used in combustion engines to provide sparks to ignite the fuel-air mixture when the engine is start
Iridium-based spark plug. Spark plugs are devices used in combustion engines to provide sparks to ignite the fuel-air mixture when the engine is started. The spark is produced using a high voltage, which causes the air between the two electrodes to become ionised in a similar process to the formation of lightning. Here, the spark gap and tip is at lower right. This is an iridium spark plug from the Japanese NGK company. It has a laser-welded tip made of an alloy of the transition metal iridium (Ir). This durable alloy has a high melting point, ensuring that this spark plug has a longer lifetime than those using less durable materials.
Size: 3425px × 5138px
Photo credit: © Science Photo Library / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -life, 1, alloy, application, applications, background, chemical, chemistry, combustion, component, cut, cut-, cut-outs, cutout, cutouts, device, durable, electric, electrical, electricity, element, engine, engineering, equipment, extended, grey, high, ignition, ir, iridium, japan, japanese, life, lifetime, manufactured, melting, metal, metals, ngk, object, outs, plug, point, produced, shot, single, spark, sparking, studio, technological, technology, tip, transition