Electrical Resistivity and Thermal Conductivity

Using Thermo‑Calc with the TCS Al-based Alloy Database (TCAL), you can calculate the quantities of a phase φ with the variables ELRS(φ) and THCD(φ), or a system (i.e. alloy) with ELRS and THCD. You can also calculate the derived quantities, i.e. electrical conductivity (ELCD), thermal resistivity (THRS) and thermal diffusivity (THDF) in a similar way.

The database includes electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity starting with version 7 (TCAL7).

Wrought Al Alloys

This example compares the calculated ELRS (Figure 1) and THCD (Figure 2) with tabulated data for typical Al alloys after “O” heat treatments. For each alloy, an equilibrium calculation is first performed at 350 °C (assumed annealing temperature), so phases that are present, and their fractions and compositions are obtained with Thermo‑Calc. Then the temperature is changed to 25 °C (measuring temperature), and the value of ELRS is directly retrieved without equilibrium-computing.

For alloys produced with other treatments, sometimes you have to take into account impacts of deformations and precipitations, and so forth. For as-cast alloys, you can use Scheil simulations (with or without back diffusion) to predict the phases, as well as the fractions and compositions, and then evaluate ELRS and THCD appropriately.

Read more about Scheil Solidification Simulations on our website, including how to select the right model for your simulation. If you are in Thermo‑Calc, press F1 to search the help to learn about using Scheil.