Abstract: An igniter plug is disclosed for use in jet and other internal combustion engines. The igniter plug has a center electrode having a firing tip, which is mounted within an insulator which in turn is mounted within an exterior metal shell. A ground electrode is integral with or in electrical contact relationship with the metal shell and is disposed in a spaced, spark gap relation with the firing tip of the center electrode. An electrically semiconducting surface is disposed adjacent the spark gap and in electrical contact with the center electrode and with the ground electrode. The electrically semiconducting surface is formed by a sintered ceramic body having an actual density of more than 95 percent of its theoretical maximum density, and consists essentially of 67-80 wt % of silicon carbide particles and 20-33 percent by weight of grain boundary phase of alumina particles, as well as one or more sintering aids selected from magnesia, silica or calcia.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A semiconductor material having a resistance of 5.times.10.sup.2 -5.times.10.sup.4 M.OMEGA./mm is coated or baked in the form of a band on the peripheral surface of a basal part of a leg portion of an insulator of the spark plug. Preferably, at least the basal part of the leg portion, including the band, is covered with a water-repellant insulating coating. An inner wall of a metal shell of the spark plug is desirably coated with a water-repellant material at an area facing at least the peripheral surface of the basal part of the leg portion of the insulator.