I get that it’s common even though incorrect. But even supposed auto professionals call them that and double down by claiming that copper electrodes don’t last as long. Nobody would make a copper electrode. It would erode in no time. It’s a copper core for better heat transfer.
But I see stuff like this:
Quote:
http://www.mercedesmedic.com/best-spark-plugs-mercedes-benz/
Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity and that is why they were used and still are used on spark plugs. Platinum performs worse when it comes to conductivity. While Iridium is a better conductor, it is not quite as good as copper material. They are inexpensive to manufacture but their main disadvantage is that they don’t last as long. They work great when new but after a few several thousand miles can decrease in performance.
This one is really bad. There’s no worries about copper melting since it’s only in the core. But they portray copper as being the electrode material.
Quote:
https://www.familyhandyman.com/diy-advice/copper-spark-plugs-debunking-the-myth/
The myth ignores the fact that an ignition spark always jumps from (and toward) the sharpest parts of the center and side electrodes. Sure, a copper spark plug has sharp electrodes right out of the box. But copper can’t maintain sharp edges very long. The heat of the spark itself and high combustion temperatures quickly wear down the edges of both the center and side electrodes. That’s because copper has the lowest melting point of all the currently available spark plug materials (copper melts at 1,983 degrees F, yttrium at 2,779 degrees, platinum at 3,222 degrees and iridium at 4,229 degrees). Copper plugs actually experience rapid edge wear and increased spark plug gap in as little as 10,000 miles. And that results in a far less powerful (and less effective) spark that can misfire, lower your gas mileage and damage ignition wires and the coil.
But I see stuff like this:
Quote:
http://www.mercedesmedic.com/best-spark-plugs-mercedes-benz/
Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity and that is why they were used and still are used on spark plugs. Platinum performs worse when it comes to conductivity. While Iridium is a better conductor, it is not quite as good as copper material. They are inexpensive to manufacture but their main disadvantage is that they don’t last as long. They work great when new but after a few several thousand miles can decrease in performance.
This one is really bad. There’s no worries about copper melting since it’s only in the core. But they portray copper as being the electrode material.
Quote:
https://www.familyhandyman.com/diy-advice/copper-spark-plugs-debunking-the-myth/
The myth ignores the fact that an ignition spark always jumps from (and toward) the sharpest parts of the center and side electrodes. Sure, a copper spark plug has sharp electrodes right out of the box. But copper can’t maintain sharp edges very long. The heat of the spark itself and high combustion temperatures quickly wear down the edges of both the center and side electrodes. That’s because copper has the lowest melting point of all the currently available spark plug materials (copper melts at 1,983 degrees F, yttrium at 2,779 degrees, platinum at 3,222 degrees and iridium at 4,229 degrees). Copper plugs actually experience rapid edge wear and increased spark plug gap in as little as 10,000 miles. And that results in a far less powerful (and less effective) spark that can misfire, lower your gas mileage and damage ignition wires and the coil.
