Federal-Mogul Powertrain has developed a range of spark plugs for heavy-duty vehicles that run on compressed natural gas (CNG).
Demand for CNG-fuelled trucks and buses, says the company, is being driven by increasing restrictions on emissions and environmental pressures – and, it says, its existing CNG product portfolio has been tailored to meet this demand.
"For example, we have different electrode material configurations with an iridium centre and, depending on the application, a platinum or iridium ground to optimise the electrode surface for extended life," says Dr Rene Trebbels, Federal-Mogul's ignition applications engineer.
Heavy-duty vehicle engines often encounter frequent idling periods, followed by wide open throttle operation, putting additional thermal shock stress on the material bonds of the spark plug.
"The electrode temperatures also tend to be higher in heavy-duty vehicle applications compared to stationary applications, and spark energy levels are lower, but we can carry across a great deal of our experience in geometry, materials and manufacturing processes to accommodate these variations," he adds.
The company's range of ignition products will be presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover (23 September to 2 October).
