BROADVIEW, Ill. (Sept. 29, 2006) — Automotive parts and systems supplier Robert Bosch Corp. has debuted a spark plug it claims will provide more efficient fuel combustion for optimum horsepower and extended performance life.
The new Platinum Iridium Fusion spark plug is available for virtually all domestic and imported vehicles, the company said.
Dubbed “Ir Fusion,” the plug combines platinum and iridium in the center electrode, virtually eliminating core erosion and preventing the gap from widening, according to Martin Kashnowski, the firm's director of product management. That, combined with Bosch's surface air gap technology, helps ensure a strong spark over a longer life span, with no increase in voltage requirement, he said.
The plug also features four ground electrodes enhanced with yttrium—a rare earth element often used in manufacturing superconductors and television screens—and a factory preset gap that never requires adjustment, Mr. Kashnowski added.