Effect of Solute Atoms on the Thermal Property of Mg Alloys

Abstract

The reason for the distinct difference in the thermal conductivities of different series of Mg alloys was investigated.The crystallographic lattice parameter and the thermal conductivity of Mg–Zn, Mg–Al, and Mg–Gd binary alloys, which all contain the same atomic percentage of the solutes were measured. The Mg–Zn alloys exhibited the highest thermal conductivity and the smallest lattice distortion, and Mg–Gd alloys exhibited lowest thermal conductivity and largest lattice distortion, respectively. Results indicate that the thermal conductivity of the Mg alloys depends on the difference in atomic radius of the solute and matrix atoms. Therefore, the reason for the Mg-7Gd-5Y-0.5Nd-0.5Zr alloy components have excellent thermal resistance is the serious lattice distortion caused by the significant difference in the atomic radius between the solute and matrix atoms.