Abstract
Phase relations between the binaries MgAl2O4-ZnAl2O4 and MgAl2O4-MgGa2O4 were studied. Stoichiometric MgAl2O4 spinel can be formed in the laboratory through a coprecipitation method. Complete solid solution formation in the MgAl2O4-MgGa2O4 system was confirmed through X-ray
diffraction (XRD) analysis. XRD analysis of the MgAl2O4-ZnAl2O4 system did not confirm solid solution due to the similar lattice parameters of the two end points, however, previous studies have shown that complete solid solution does form. Thermal conductivity data is pending and will be included in the presentation. Based on previous experimentation and open literature, it is suspected that thermal conductivity will be decreased with the addition of solid solution. With increased amounts of disruption to the lattice from solid solution it is also theorized that the temperature at which the mean free path still impacts thermal conductivity could be increased.