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

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. (C) 2008 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.