A spark plug includes a central electrode member and an outer electrode member. The central electrode member includes a central base and a plurality of electrode prongs extending in an axial direction from the central base. The outer electrode member surrounds the central electrode member. The outer electrode member includes a wall that is radially spaced from the plurality of electrode prongs to allow a series of electric arcs to form between the wall and the plurality of electrode prongs. The outer electrode member and the central electrode member are sized and positioned relative to one another such that a first rate of wear of the outer electrode member, along a longitudinal axis of the spark plug, is substantially equal to a second rate of wear of the central electrode member along the longitudinal axis.

A spark plug includes a first discharge chip and a second discharge chip which faces the first discharge chip and works to produce an electrical spark therebetween. At least one of the first and second discharge chips is made from material containing iridium, platinum, and tantalum. An amount of platinum in the material is in a range of 5 Wt % to 30 Wt %. An amount of tantalum is in a range of 0.3 Wt % to 7.5 Wt %. Use of such material enhances a wear resistance of the spark plug.

A spark plug includes a first discharge chip and a second discharge chip which faces the first discharge chip and works to produce an electrical spark therebetween. At least one of the first and second discharge chips is made from material containing iridium, platinum, and tantalum. An amount of platinum in the material is in a range of 5 Wt % to 30 Wt %. An amount of tantalum is in a range of 0.3 Wt % to 7.5 Wt %. Use of such material enhances a wear resistance of the spark plug.

A spark plug electrode with an electrode tip formed on an electrode base using an additive manufacturing process, such as a powder bed fusion technique. The spark plug electrode includes an intermediate layer located between the electrode tip and the electrode base, where the intermediate layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is between that of the electrode base and the electrode tip and includes a whole area connection. In some examples, the whole area connection is non-uniform in thickness so that it is thicker in one section than it is in another section.

A spark plug electrode with an electrode tip formed on an electrode base using an additive manufacturing process, such as a powder bed fusion technique. The spark plug electrode includes an intermediate layer located between the electrode tip and the electrode base, where the intermediate layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is between that of the electrode base and the electrode tip and includes a whole area connection. In some examples, the whole area connection is non-uniform in thickness so that it is thicker in one section than it is in another section.

A pre-chamber spark plug for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has a pre-chamber which has a plurality of openings and which is fluidically connectable to the combustion chamber via the openings. Two spark gaps are arranged in the pre-chamber via which respective sparks can be formed. The spark gaps are arranged symmetrically distributed in the pre-chamber and a first of the spark gaps is arranged further outwards than the second spark gap along a direction extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the pre-chamber spark plug.

A pre-chamber spark plug for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has a pre-chamber which has a plurality of openings and which is fluidically connectable to the combustion chamber via the openings. Two spark gaps are arranged in the pre-chamber via which respective sparks can be formed. The spark gaps are arranged symmetrically distributed in the pre-chamber and a first of the spark gaps is arranged further outwards than the second spark gap along a direction extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the pre-chamber spark plug.

A spark plug that prevents a decrease in strength of a member to which a mark is attached while ensuring a readability of the mark, and a method of manufacturing the spark plug. The spark plug is configured to ignite an air-fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine. The spark plug includes: a mark formed of an oxide film generated on a surface of a metallic member or is formed of the metallic member and the oxide film; and a coating material covering the whole mark and allowing transmission of light.

A noble metal tip for a spark plug according to the present invention contains iridium (Jr) in an amount of 50 mass % or more and aluminum (Al) in an amount of 0.1 mass % or more and 5 mass % or less, and further contains rhodium (Rh), wherein a metallographic structure comprised of fiber-like elements R is observed, and the fiber-like elements R of the metallographic structure have an average aspect ratio of 150 or more and have an average length of 25 μm or less in a minor axis direction.

A noble metal tip for a spark plug according to the present invention contains iridium (Jr) in an amount of 50 mass % or more and aluminum (Al) in an amount of 0.1 mass % or more and 5 mass % or less, and further contains rhodium (Rh), wherein a metallographic structure comprised of fiber-like elements R is observed, and the fiber-like elements R of the metallographic structure have an average aspect ratio of 150 or more and have an average length of 25 μm or less in a minor axis direction.