Electrode material, spark-plug electrode, and spark plug

Abstract

An electrode material contains, on a mass percent basis, Al: 0.005% to 0.2%, Si: 0.2% to 1.6%, Cr: 0.05% to 1.0%, Ti: 0.05% to 0.5%, and Y: 0.2% to 1.0%. The remainder are Ni and inevitable impurities. The Si/Cr mass ratio is 1 or more. Because of the inclusion of specific amounts of Al, Si, Cr, and Y and the Si content higher than the Al content, the electrode material has an oxidation inhibiting effect. The inclusion of the specific amount of Ti can reduce the occurrence of expansion and cracking of the oxide film. Because of the inclusion of the specific amount of Y, the oxide film can maintain the microstructure even at high temperatures and have high resistance to high-temperature oxidation. Having a Si/Cr ratio of 1 or more, the oxide film has improved corrosion resistance and is resistant to corrosion by corrosive liquids.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.