Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for preparing a grinding pattern for a metallurgical sample (1), wherein, after preparing the sample (1), a thermal contrasting of the surface is carried out by laser equipment, wherein, using a USP laser (2), at least the following processing steps are carried out: cleaning (R) the surface of the sample (1) with an ablation depth of between 1 to 50 ?m to reveal joining gap structures (300); contrasting (K) the cleaned surface of the sample (1) with an ablation depth between 0.5 to 20 ?m to make joining structures (400) visible; laser etching (A) the contrasted surface of the sample (1) via the ablation-free creation of a thermal annealing color structure (500) and/or surface oxidation.

Abstract: A spark plug electrode includes an electrode base body made of a first material and an ignition element made of a second material and forming an ignition surface for a spark plug. The electrode base body and the ignition element are integrally joined to each other via a welding seam. A mixing rate for the first or second materials is less than 15 weight percent in a half of the welding seam adjacent to the ignition element. A method for manufacturing a spark plug electrode includes: providing an electrode base body and an ignition element; carrying out a welding process joining the electrode base body and the ignition element while forming a welding seam, where a welding beam guided over the surface of the spark plug electrode by tilting a reflection element, thereby producing a welding seam at a joining point between the electrode base body and the ignition element.

Abstract: A spark plug electrode includes an electrode base body made of a first material and an ignition element made of a second material and forming an ignition surface for a spark plug. The electrode base body and the ignition element are integrally joined to each other via a welding seam. A mixing rate for the first or second materials is less than 15 weight percent in a half of the welding seam adjacent to the ignition element. A method for manufacturing a spark plug electrode includes: providing an electrode base body and an ignition element; carrying out a welding process joining the electrode base body and the ignition element while forming a welding seam, where a welding beam guided over the surface of the spark plug electrode by tilting a reflection element, thereby producing a welding seam at a joining point between the electrode base body and the ignition element.

Abstract: A spark plug electrode having greater mechanical stability. The spark plug electrode includes a base body and a noble metal pin situated on the base body, the base body and the noble metal pin being connected to each other by a connection zone. The connection zone has at least one first welding seam and one second welding seam.

Abstract: A spark plug electrode having greater mechanical stability. The spark plug electrode includes a base body and a noble metal pin situated on the base body, the base body and the noble metal pin being connected to each other by a connection zone. The connection zone has at least one first welding seam and one second welding seam.