Electrical Conductivity by Addition of Zn and Cu on Mg-Zn-Cu Alloys

Abstract

In recent years, Mg and its alloys have attracted a great deal of attention due to their low density, relatively excellent castability, and straightforward recyclability. Mg alloys have been widely applied to various industrial fields, and are representatively used in automotive and electronic parts. According to previous researches, the electrical conductivity of Mg alloys greatly decreases with increasing Al content. However, with the addition of Zn and/or Cu, the electrical conductivity of Mg alloys is maintained or slightly increased, and improved mechanical properties are obtained as well. On this basis, Mg-Zn-Cu alloys have been investigated in the present study with a focus on the effect of adding Zn and Cu on the electrical conductivity. The Zn and Cu contents ranged from 4 to 6wt.% and 0 to 1.5wt.%, respectively. Ternary Mg-Zn-Cu alloys have been prepared by gravity casting in a steel mold. In the as-casting condition, the electrical conductivity of Mg-Zn-Cu alloys showed a linear increasing trend with decreasing Zn and increasing Cu contents. Furthermore, impact values of Zn = − 1.5 and Cu = 2.5 were determined for these alloys by electrical conductivity tests.