Iridium spark plugs are more expensive than other platinum spark plugs, and a lot pricier than standard copper spark plugs, so are they worth the price? We believe that yes, they are, because of the numerous cost saving and efficiency benefits of iridium spark plugs that create superior value for money over time.
Why Are Iridium Spark Plugs So Expensive?
Iridium spark plugs cost more than other varieties because of the scarcity of iridium itself. Iridium is an extremely rare metal that is only mined in certain locations, and global supply has been severely affected by travel and processing restrictions during the pandemic. The price of iridium has risen steeply during 2021 and is currently the highest priced of the precious metals regularly traded on the commodities market. Additionally, iridium is complex to extract from its ore, and the resultant metal is brittle and difficult to work with. All these factors increase the relative cost of iridium spark plugs.
However, despite the higher cost, iridium spark plugs are still the best high-performance option, for the following reasons:
1. Iridium Spark Plugs Last Longer
Businesses that upgrade to iridium spark plugs from alternative metals always report a longer component lifespan. On average, an iridium spark plug might last 3000 to 4000 operating hours. This helps keep repair bills down and reduces the total lifetime cost of ownership of your engine.
2. Iridium Spark Plugs Are More Durable
Iridium is part of the platinum group of metals but is around eight times as strong as platinum itself, meaning that an iridium spark plug can take a lot of damage before it starts deteriorating, and is less prone to unexpected failure.
3. Iridium Spark Plugs Have Greater Temperature Resistance
Iridium has a high melting point of 2460°C, which is superior to both platinum (1768°C), and copper (1084°C). For high temperature combustion chambers, therefore, iridium spark plugs are sometimes the only option. Furthermore, iridium spark plugs perform better at high temperatures, being less susceptible to corrosion and deterioration than other models.
4. Iridium Spark Plugs Are More Efficient
Iridium spark plugs are better at starting engines than other types of spark plug because the spark is highly concentrated in the central electrode, and consequentially requires less voltage to operate. This makes ignitions faster and more reliable, and also reduces power consumption.
Making The Right Choice For Your Business
Iridium spark plugs are the most expensive spark plug model on the market, but in many cases they are worth the investment, as the premium price also comes with high performance and reliability. If you’d like help deciding whether iridium spark plugs are worth it for your application, or to explore the alternatives to iridium spark plugs, we’d be happy to help you make the best choice for your business. Please call us to find out more. Alternatively, you can browse our current stock catalogue on our product pages.
