Thermal and mechanical properties of La–Al–Sb alloys

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.