Comparison of the thermal properties of AM20 and AS21 magnesium alloys

The present work is a study of the thermal properties of AS21 and AM20 magnesium alloys in the temperature range of 20-380 degrees C. The thermal diffusivity and the thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) were measured and the thermal conductivity was calculated. The thermal diffusivity and the thermal conductivity of the alloys increase with increasing temperature. The temperature dependency of the CTE in the first thermal cycle differs from that in the following cycles for both alloys. Pre-deformation of the AS21 alloy in compression leads to an increase in CTE in a certain temperature range, whereas pre-deformation in tension causes a decrease in CTE. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.