Thermal and mechanical properties of La–Al–Sb alloys

Abstract

We fabricated La-Al-Sb alloy by arc melter system and the fabrication conditions were described in detail. Microstructural analyses were performed and it was found that LaSb, Al 11 La 3 Al 4 La, AlLa 3 and Sb phases formed for different heat treatment conditions. The resistivity results showed the metallic and semiconducting type behavior depending on heat treatment temperatures. The thermal-conductivity measurement was performed in the range of 2-300 K and the data were analyzed by the sum of lattice and carrier components. The linear temperature dependence of thermo power indicates metallic type characteristic of the samples. The micro-hardness values of the phases in the samples were analyzed and it was found that there are two different hardness regions in the samples.

Thermoelectric and mechanical properties of Mg–Al–Sb alloys

“…One of the materials with high thermoelectric performance is Ca-Al-Sb discovered by Toberer et al [4]. After this discovery, it is pointed out that other systems with different stoichiometries have also high thermoelectric performance [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. For example, Ca 5 Al 2 Sb 6 has the Seebeck coefficient larger than 450 lV/K at room temperature.…”

“…For example, Ca 5 Al 2 Sb 6 has the Seebeck coefficient larger than 450 lV/K at room temperature. The other is Ca 3 AlSb 3 which possesses the Seebeck coefficient almost 200 lV/K at room temperature [10]. In the Sr 3 GaSb 3 which obtained by modifying the Ca 3 AlSb 3 system, the Seebeck coefficient is also around 200 lV/K [13].…”

“…In the Sr 3 GaSb 3 which obtained by modifying the Ca 3 AlSb 3 system, the Seebeck coefficient is also around 200 lV/K [13]. Different elements, such as Zn, Mn, Yb, Eu, Ga, In, As, La etc., were partially doped/substituted to improve the thermoelectric performance of the systems [6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”