TY - GEN
T1 - Characterization and mitigation of spark plug electrode erosion in natural gas and automotive engine applications
AU - Lin, H. T.
AU - Brady, M. P.
AU - Kass, M. D.
AU - Theiss, T. J.
AU - Domingo, N.
AU - Levina, I.
AU - Lykowski, J.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Microstructural characterization was conducted for laboratory gasoline and natural gas reciprocating engine tested spark plug electrodes made from a range of model, developmental, and commercially available electrode alloys. These alloys were selected to explore the effects of differing electrode alloy thermal, chemical, and mechanical characteristics on erosion resistance, and were tested with and without sparking surface alloy insert pads (platinum group and novel Cr-based alloys). Extensive internal oxidation and cracking were observed in both gasoline and natural gas engine tests, indicative of an inherent degree of susceptibility of currently-used electrode materials when heated to elevated temperatures, no matter what the ignition conditions. Highly-alloyed heat-resistant alloys with excellent oxidation resistance in many high-temperature environments suffered from increased rates of erosion, as the gains in oxidation resistance appear to have been offset by hotter running temperatures resulting from decreased electrode alloy thermal conductivity. Promising early results were obtained with a novel Cr-6MgO-0.5Ti-0.3La 2O3 insert pad electrode alloy, investigated as an alternative to Pt- or Ir- base alloys, which showed little erosion and good resistance to cracking and oxidation.
AB - Microstructural characterization was conducted for laboratory gasoline and natural gas reciprocating engine tested spark plug electrodes made from a range of model, developmental, and commercially available electrode alloys. These alloys were selected to explore the effects of differing electrode alloy thermal, chemical, and mechanical characteristics on erosion resistance, and were tested with and without sparking surface alloy insert pads (platinum group and novel Cr-based alloys). Extensive internal oxidation and cracking were observed in both gasoline and natural gas engine tests, indicative of an inherent degree of susceptibility of currently-used electrode materials when heated to elevated temperatures, no matter what the ignition conditions. Highly-alloyed heat-resistant alloys with excellent oxidation resistance in many high-temperature environments suffered from increased rates of erosion, as the gains in oxidation resistance appear to have been offset by hotter running temperatures resulting from decreased electrode alloy thermal conductivity. Promising early results were obtained with a novel Cr-6MgO-0.5Ti-0.3La 2O3 insert pad electrode alloy, investigated as an alternative to Pt- or Ir- base alloys, which showed little erosion and good resistance to cracking and oxidation.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=44949194016&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1115/ICEF2007-1697
DO - 10.1115/ICEF2007-1697
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:44949194016
SN - 0791848116
SN - 9780791848111
T3 - Proceedings of the 2007 Fall Technical Conference of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division
SP - 675
EP - 683
BT - Proceedings of the 2007 Fall Technical Conference of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division
T2 - 2007 Fall Technical Conference of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division
Y2 - 14 October 2007 through 17 October 2007
ER -