This article reviews recent progress on the thermal conductivity of magnesium and its alloys. First, lattice distortion induced by solute atoms negatively impacts the thermal conductivity of Mg alloys, which is correlated to three properties of solute atoms: atomic radius, chemical valency, and extra-nuclear electrons. Second, the formation of intermetallic compounds, which is accompanied by the creation of new phase interfaces that act as barriers to the movement of electrons, negatively impacts the thermal conductivity of Mg alloys. This negative effect is correlated to the morphology, size, distribution, and content of secondary phases. Thermal conductivity along the transverse or normal direction is superior to that along the extrusion or rolling direction for wrought Mg alloys with basal texture. Further, temperature significantly influences the thermal conductivity of Mg alloys; however, the underlying mechanisms vary depending on the temperature range and should be discussed separately. These aspects of research on Mg alloys with high thermal conductivity are still necessary in the future: quantifying the relationship between microstructure and thermal conductivity; thermal behavior of multicomponent Mg alloys and the establishment of its thermal conductivity model; compositional design and microstructural control of high thermal conductivity Mg alloys; physical nature of thermal behavior in Mg alloys.

Keywords： magnesium alloy ; thermal conductivity ; electrical resistivity ; solute atom ; heat treatment