If one is to step out of his house and look at the roads in his surroundings, a very distinguished feature that has changed over the years is the number of vehicles that can be noted in any area. The popularity of vehicles and their significance cannot be undermined in any circumstance. In order to start any vehicle, a very significant tool is the spark plug of the vehicle.
Usually, two types of spark plugs happen to be the most popular among customers. Iridium and Platinum Spark Plugs are the two aforementioned popular types. While they seem to be confusing, a number of differences can be marked between these two.
Key Takeaways
- Iridium spark plugs have a longer lifespan than platinum plugs due to their stronger material.
- Platinum spark plugs perform more consistently, while iridium plugs offer better overall efficiency.
- Iridium plugs can be more expensive, but their durability and performance may justify the higher cost.
Iridium vs Platinum Spark Plugs
Iridium spark plugs have a small electrode diameter, around 0.6mm, which allows for a more concentrated spark and improved ignition performance. Platinum spark plugs also have a small electrode diameter around 0.8mm, and are known for their durability and resistance to fouling.
Popular for their amazing attributes, Iridium spark plugs happen to be one of the most famous spark plugs between the owners of the vehicles. The reason behind this popularity is the kind of quality iridium as a metal offers to the users. Not only does it happen to be durable, but it also provides certain other advantages that cannot be seen in other spark plugs. And as a result, the cost of this particular spark plug also increases in accordance with its quality.
On the other hand, platinum spark plugs, as the name itself suggest, are made up of the metal platinum. These spark plugs offer all the similar qualities that any other product of Platinum can offer. However, certain shortcomings happen to be attached to these particular spark plugs due to the way core attributes of Platinum. But nonetheless, these spark plugs are also widely popular due to their many qualities and the cost-related benefits they offer.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Iridium Spark Plugs | Platinum Spark Plugs |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The variety of spark plugs made up of the metal called Iridium is known as Iridium spark plugs. | The variety of spark plugs made up of the metal called Platinum is known as platinum spark plugs. |
| Central electrode | the central electrode of this particular spark plug happens to be made up of Iridium | The central electrode is made up of Platinum |
| Durability | Due to being made up of Iridium, this sparkplug happens to be very durable in the long run | This spark plug happens to be less durable |
| Melting point | the melting point of this particular spark plug happens to be very high because of the metal contained in it | lower melting point |
| Strength | it happens to be a very strong spark plug | Comparatively less strong than other plugs |
| Cost | because of the advantages attached to it, it comes costly as compared to other spark plugs | It happens to be a very cost-effective spark plug. |
What are Iridium Spark Plugs?
Iridium metal is known for its great qualities and amazing performance in any possible field we can think of. Because of this particular reason, the spark plugs made up of Iridium display the same quality and features as Iridium. These spark plugs are inevitably called the best of their own kind and happen to provide the most amazing experience to the user possible.
These spark plugs are so durable that they can last longer than the actual vehicle in which they are going to be used, and because of this particular feature, many people invest in these spark plugs without giving them a second thought. Therefore, these spark plugs happen to be one of the best investments for one’s vehicle.
But due to this very electrode, the spark plug happens to be very strong and deals with almost all kinds of issues that may come in the future. However, one particular shortcoming attached to this spark plug is that it is very costly, but looking at all of the features provided by the spark plug, the cost seems like something that can be adjusted.
What are Platinum Spark Plugs?
Platinum is known for certain distinguished qualities that this metal can actually provide. The platinum spark plugs showcase similar qualities Platinum does because of the presence of Platinum in the central electrode of these spark plugs.
Compared to other plugs, such as copper ones, this particular spark plug excels so much in terms of durability and strength and can be a very good option for people looking for a mid-range spark plug that lasts really long. The central electrode of this particular spark plug is made up of Platinum and therefore contains a much higher melting point.
However, this particular spark plug, if compared to Iridium spark plugs, showcases certain shortcomings, such as less durability and strength as compared. But in reality, if this plug is used in vehicles that are not used very extensively, it can be proven to be a great asset. A very particular reason behind the popularity of the spark plug is the cost attached to it.
Main Differences Between Iridium and Platinum Spark Plugs
- Iridium spark plugs happen to be the ones that are made up of the metal Iridium, while on the other hand, Platinum is the core metal in Platinum spark plugs, as the name itself suggests.
- Iridium spark plugs are comparatively stronger in strength than Platinum ones.
- The durability of Iridium spark plugs happens to be higher compared to platinum spark plugs.
- In terms of melting point, Iridium spark plugs have a higher one as compared to platinum spark plugs.
- When it comes to cost, Iridium spark plugs cost much more than platinum spark plugs due to the quality offered.
- https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2000-05-0143/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319920310727
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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