A quantitative strategy for achieving the high thermal conductivity of die-cast Mg-Al-based alloys

A quantitative strategy was reported to design and develop Mg-Al-based alloys to achieve high thermal conductivity, in which the specific RE elements can be introduced to reduce the Al concentration in Mg matrix and to suppress the formation of Mg17Al12 phase through the formation of new intermetallic phases. Based on quantitative calculations, the strategy was demonstrated by a novel die-cast Mg3.2Al4.4La0.4Nd (in wt.%) alloy, which provided the thermal conductivity of 114.3 W/(m∙K) at ambient temperature and 137.5 W/(m∙K) at 300 °C, ∼25% higher than the commercial Mg4Al4RE (AE44) alloy. Meanwhile, the alloy also offered excellent ambient yield strength of 143.2 MPa and elongation of 8.2%, and superior strength and ductility than the AE44 alloy at elevated temperatures.