Thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of Mg–Zn–rare earth element alloys with long-period stacking ordered phase

Abstract

The thermal diffusivity and specific heat of Mg–Zn–rare earth (RE) alloys with long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) structure were measured over the temperature range 298–573 K and their thermal conductivity was calculated. The thermal diffusivity and conductivity of the alloys are weakly temperature dependent with small positive temperature coefficients. LPSO phase-precipitated Mg–Zn–RE alloys exhibit higher thermal conductivity than their solution-treated counterparts because the formation of the LPSO phase consumes solute elements that behave as scatter centers for electrons and phonons.