Is the tip in the IRIDIUM POWER made of pure iridium?
We use a new iridium alloy developed at DENSO.
Iridium is characterized by a higher melting point than either nickel or platinum.
Therefore, it wears very well when subject to electrical discharge. However, at high temperatures it oxidizes a little too much and so we are unable to use pure iridium for spark plug electrodes.
(The above is analyzed in DENSO.)
DENSO studied many additives with a view to improving the corrosion resistance of iridium and has now developed a new iridium alloy (the alloy of iridium and rhodium) highly suitable for use in spark plug electrodes.
This new product is covered by the following DENSO patents; JP2877035, GB2302367; and other patents pending in USA, Germany, Canada, Italy and South Korea.
The following photographs compare the durability of the new iridium alloy and pure iridium when used in an engine under the same conditions.
Part of the pure iridium material was shed and corroded. The new DENSO iridium alloy showed no corrosion on the electrode and mainfained good condition.