Thermal conductivity in silver alloys used as sheath for BSCCO tapes: The importance of the phonon contribution

In this paper we present measurements of thermal and electrical conductivit y performed on several alloys and composite alloys tipically used as sheath s of BSCCO tapes: AgAu, AgMg, AgAu-AgMg. The thermal conductivity of the al loys is analysed in terms of electron and phonon contribution and we emphas ize that in not dilute alloys the phonons contribute largely to the heat tr ansport In order to reduce the overall thermal conductivity, this latter co ntribution has to be minimized.