US Patent 10348061 Spark plug

The spark plug includes an insulator formed of an alumina-based sintered body, and the insulator contains Si, Ba, and a rare earth element. In an analysis of the insulator by using a scanning transmission electron microscope having an electron-probe diameter of 1 nm, Si and a rare earth element are detected at a crystal grain boundary having a thickness of 15 nm or less, a content of an alkaline earth metal is less than a detection limit at the crystal grain boundary, and a diffraction spot is present in an electron diffraction pattern of a portion where Ba is detected.