Design of Mg Zn Si Ca casting magnesium alloy with high thermal conductivity

Magnesium alloys are commonly used to produce lightweight parts. While most magnesium alloys exhibit low thermal conductivities, high thermal conductivities are needed for electronic devices. In this study, we attempted to develop new magnesium casting alloys with high thermal conductivities. The MgZnSiCa alloy compositions were chosen using CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) calculations, and alloy samples were prepared. The fluidity and hot-tearing resistance were measured. The results indicated that these properties were similar to those of AZ91 alloy. Tensile tests showed that high-pressure die casting could produce MgZnSiCa alloys possessing mechanical properties 1.5–3 times higher than those produced via sand casting. The alloy thermal conductivity was 126 W/mK at room temperature. The corrosion rates of the as-cast samples in NaCl/water solutions were two times higher than that of AZ91.