Thermal and electrical conductivities of Cd–Zn alloys

Abstract

The composition and temperature dependences of the thermal and electrical conductivitiesof three different Cd–Zn alloys have been investigated in the temperature range of300–650 K. Thermal conductivities of the Cd–Zn alloys have been determined by using theradial heat flow method. It has been found that the thermal conductivity decreases slightlywith increasing temperature and the data of thermal conductivity are shifting together tothe higher values with increasing Cd composition. In addition, the electrical measurementswere determined by using a standard DC four-point probe technique. The resistivityincreases linearly and the electrical conductivity decreases exponentially withincreasing temperature. The resistivity and electrical conductivity are independent ofcomposition of Cd and Zn. Also, the temperature coefficient of Cd–Zn alloys has beendetermined, which is independent of composition of Cd and Zn. Finally, Lorenznumber has been calculated using the thermal and electrical conductivity valuesat 373 and 533 K. The results satisfy the Wiedemann–Franz (WF) relation atT<373 K,which suggests the dominant carriers of thermal conduction are mainly electrons. Above this temperature(T>373 K), the WF relation could not hold and the phonon component contribution of thermalconductivity dominates the thermal conduction.