The magnetic and thermal properties of some aluminium-rich binary alloys

The bulk magnetic susceptibility of aluminium when alloyed with magnesium, germanium and silicon has been determined between 300° and 77°k using a conventional ring balance technique. Low temperature specific heat measurements have also been made and these are used primarily in an attempt to separate off the Pauli paramagnetism. Thus, by correcting for the diamagnetism of the ion cores, an attempt is made to isolate the diamagnetism of the conduction electrons in the pure metal and in the alloys. It is shown that the Landau diamagnetism of aluminium is less than would be expected. The diamagnetism of the alloys shows a stronger concentration dependence than is predicted by current theory. Possible explanations of the electronic heat coefficient variations are briefly discussed.