CHARACTERIZATION AND MITIGATION OF SPARK PLUG ELECTRODE EROSION IN NATURAL GAS AND AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE APPLICATIONS

摘要

Microstrucyural 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_2O_3 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.