Dale Detrich, of Ohio, uses Corian for the insulators in his miniature spark plugs. This modern-day material developed by DuPont is commonly used for kitchen countertops, but due to its superb machining characteristics it has become popular for miniature engine builders who prefer to make their own spark plugs. The material’s limiting factors of thermal expansion and heat resistance (about 212F) make it suitable for engines with lower compression, lower temperature output, or higher performance engines with very short running sessions. These mini spark plugs were produced in 2005.

Due to popularity, Dale made several styles available to model engine builders who prefer not to build their own spark plugs.

Exhibit added: August 1, 2011 - Last modified: March 22, 2023

Presented by The Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship