Spark plug with electrode head shielding element

A center electrode for a spark plug, comprising:

• an axial centerline;
• a disc-shaped electrode head disposed coaxially with the axial centerline and having an electrode head bore extending through the electrode head between a top surface and a bottom surface coaxially with the axial centerline;
• and
• an electrode wire extending coaxially with the axial centerline between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed within the electrode head bore with a remaining portion of the electrode wire extending from the bottom surface of the electrode head to the second end, the electrode head coupled to the electrode wire at the first end, the electrode wire comprising a first material having a first hardness rating and the electrode head comprising a second material having a second hardness rating greater than the first hardness rating such that the electrode head forms a shield about a circumferential perimeter surface of the first end of the electrode wire.

A spark plug comprising:

• a terminal end;
• a firing end;
• an axial centerline extending between the terminal end and the firing end;
• an insulative core extending between the terminal end and the firing end, the insulative core including:
• a central bore extending through the insulative core coaxially with the axial centerline;
• and
• an insulative nose at the terminal end, the insulative nose having an end surface;
• and
• a center electrode including:
• an electrode wire disposed within the central bore and having an end portion extending beyond the end surface of the insulative nose at the firing end, the electrode wire comprising a first material having a first hardness rating;
• and
• an electrode head coupled to the end portion of the electrode wire and, in a direction perpendicular to the axial centerline, having an outer perimeter extending beyond an outer perimeter of the end surface of the insulative nose, the electrode head comprising a second material having a second hardness rating greater than the first hardness rating and forming a shield element about a circumferential perimeter surface of the end portion of the electrode wire.