Thermal conductivity of as-cast and as-extruded binary Mg-Zn alloys

Thermal conductivity of as-cast and as-extruded binary Mg-Zn alloys with Zn content from 0.5 to 5.0 wt.% was measured using laser flash method in the temperature range of 293-523 K. With the increase concentration of Zn, thermal conductivity decreased gradually in both as-cast and as-extruded Mg-Zn alloys. After extrusion, thermal conductivity of the as-extruded Mg-Zn alloys decreased and the anisotropy of thermal conductivity was observed because of the texture formed during extrusion. Compared with the previous research on thermal conductivity of binary Mg-Al alloys, the thermal conductivity was higher in Mg-Zn alloys and the reasons are discussed. The thermal conductivity of as-extruded Mg-Zn alloys in the direction perpendicular to extrusion direction was similar to that in the corresponding as-cast samples, which was due to the combined effects of defects and texture.