Review of electrical conductivity in magnesium alloys: Mechanisms, strategies and applications

• Synergistic enhancement strategy for EC and strength of Mg alloy. • Design principles for conductive Mg alloys based on first principles. • Focus on optimizing Mg alloy EC through defect analysis. Magnesium (Mg) alloys offer significant potential for conductive applications, thanks to their distinctive attributes, including high specific strength, excellent electrical conductivity (EC), low density, electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), and recyclability. However, a major challenge in Mg alloy research is balancing high strength with good EC, as strengthening these alloys often compromises their EC. This paper offers an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms, strategies, and applications aimed at improving the EC of Mg alloys. A bibliometric study is performed to uncover the main research trends and emerging hotspots within the field. The review then examines various strategies to improve EC focusing on factors such as solute elements, second phases, grain boundaries, textures, and vacancies. By carefully controlling alloy composition and optimizing heat treatment processes, significant advancements have been achieved by researchers in developing Mg alloys that possess both high strength and high EC, especially in Mg–Al, Mg–Zn, Mg–RE alloy systems and composites. Finally, the paper outlines future research directions, stressing the importance of further exploration into alloying element selection, heat treatment optimization, and other advanced strategies. These efforts are crucial for overcoming current challenges and expanding the application of Mg alloys in EC fields.