Preparation and properties of hot-deformed magnets processed from nanocrystalline/amorphous Nd–Fe–B powders

The hot-deformed magnets processed from nanocrystalline/amorphous Nd–Fe–B powders were preparedunderdifferenthot-pressingtemperatures(600–750 °C, at intervals of 25 °C) by the self-made hotpressing equipment. The microstructure and magnetic properties of hot-deformed magnets prepared at different temperatures were also investigated. When the temperature is above 650 °C, the density of magnet reaches 7.5 g·cm~(-3).The optimum magnetic properties of magnetic induction intensity of Br= 1.3 T, optimum energy product of(BH)max= 282.5 kJ·m~(-3),intrinsiccoercivityof Hcj= 1130.0 kA·m~(-1) of hot-deformed magnets are obtained at hot-pressing temperature of 650 °C. X-ray diffractometer pattern shows that the(00 L) texture has been obtained. For the microstructural characteristic, on the one hand, the good magnetic performance is attributed to the fine platelet-like grains with an average length of 410–440 nm at the hot-pressing temperature range from625 to 675 °C. On the other hand, the unaligned coarse grains are observed in all the samples. And the areal fraction of those is gradually increasing with the rise of the hot-pressing temperature, which tends to deteriorate the magnetic properties. The composition map shows the accumulation of Nd/Pr-rich phase in the coarse grains' region.     

Effect of Nd content on the microstructure and coercivity of hot-deformed Nd–Fe–B permanent magnets

The microstructure of hot-deformed Nd–Fe–B permanent magnets with different Nd contents was investigated in order to correlate them with the hard magnetic properties. A thick distinct Nd-rich grain boundary (GB) layer was observed in a high Nd content sample by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Three-dimensional atom probe results showed a significant increase in the Nd content in the GB as the overall Nd content in the alloy increased. We found a clear correlation between the Nd concentration in the GB layer and the coercivity. The mechanism of the coercivity increase is discussed based on the microstructure characterization and micromagnetic simulation results.     

Structural and magnetic properties of backward extruded Nd–Fe–B ring magnets made by different punch chamfer radius

Radially oriented Nd–Fe–B ring magnets were prepared by backward extrusion of MQ-C powder. The punch chamfer radius has a great impact on the microstructure and magnetic properties of the ring magnet. With the chamfer radius changing from 2, 5 to 8 mm, the cracks in the inner wall decrease obviously while the crystallographic alignment drops. Furthermore, the mechanism of caxis growth was suggested to be a combination of shear deformation in the corner and solution-precipitation under the stress parallel to radial direction. The alignment drops on the top of ring because the grains grow freely and some textured grains grow through nucleation and recrystallization. In the present work, the optimal punch chamfer radius is found to be 2 mm, and in this case, the remanence,coercivity, and maximum energy product of the ring magnet achieve 1.4 T, 670 kJám, and 342 kJám,respectively.     

Microstructure and properties of nanocrystalline Fe–Zr–Nb–B soft magnetic alloys with low magnetostriction

We have investigated the microstructure–property relationship of nanocrystalline Fe₈₅Zr_1.2Nb_5.8B₈ and Fe_85.5Zr₂Nb₄B_8.5 soft magnetic alloys in order to understand the origin of drastic change in the permeability regardless of the zero magnetostriction in these two alloy compositions. Plan-view and cross-section transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations showed strongly textured α-Fe particles on the free surface of the Fe₈₅Zr_1.2Nb_5.8B₈ alloy ribbon, while uniform nanocrystalline microstructure was observed in the Fe_85.5Zr₂Nb₄B_8.5 alloy ribbon. The high Zr content of the latter improves the glass forming ability, thereby suppressing the surface crystallization, resulting in higher permeability. By adding Cu in the Fe–Zr–Nb–B alloy, uniform nanocrystalline microstructure was obtained, from which superior soft magnetic properties with zero magnetostriction was achieved.     

Magnetic properties of sputtered anisotropic Pr–Fe–B thin films with different structures and antiferromagnetic materials

Anisotropic Pr–Fe–B films with soft-magnetic layer(Fe) and/or antiferromagnetic layer(Mn, Fe Mn or Mn O) were prepared by direct-current(DC) magnetron sputtering on Si(100) substrates heated at 650 °C. The influence of four types' different structures on the magnetic properties of Pr–Fe–B films was investigated.The phase and magnetic properties were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD) and superconducting quantum interference device(SQUID). Addition of antiferromagnetic layer enhances both the coercivity and the remanence ratios of Pr–Fe–B films with suitable structures. The interface number increases and the antiferromagnetic–ferromagnetic exchange interaction is likely to become stronger, which affect the improvement of magnetic properties. To further understand the influence of structures with soft-magnetic Fe layer and/or antiferromagnetic Fe Mn layer on the magnetic properties of Pr–Fe–B hard-magnetic films, the thickness of Pr–Fe–B layer was designed to decrease from 600 to 50 nm. The improvement of magnetic properties becomes obvious in Mo(50 nm)/Pr–Fe–B(25 nm)Mo(2 nm)Fe Mn(20 nm)Mo(2 nm)Pr–Fe–B(25 nm)/Mo(50 nm) film.     

Electron holography of Nd–Fe–B nanocomposite magnets

Magnetization distribution in Nd–Fe–B nanocomposite magnets was investigated by electron holography, using a new pole piece apparatus dedicated to observations of nanocrystalline ferromagnetic materials. The exchange coupling between the magnetically soft and hard grains of 20–30 nm was experimentally verified by this microscopic study with improved resolution.     

Preparation technology and magnetic properties of Nd9.5Fe77B6Co5Zr2.5 nanocomposite magnets

The preparation technology and magnetic properties of Nd9.5Fe77B6Co5Zr2.5 nanocomposite magnets were investigated by melt spinning and crystallization process. The nonuniform composition and grain size can be induced by nanocomposite magnet prepared by arc-melt-spinning process, which will decrease the magnetic properties. These can be avoided by modification of preparing process. Induction-melt-spinning furnace was designed successfully and applied to prepare nanocomposite magnets. The bonded magnet with Br=0.736, Hcb=418 kA/m, Hcj=630 kA/m, Mr/Ms=0.7 and （BH）max=82.4 kJ/m^3 was prepared by this technology.     

Succession law of Nd–Fe–B alloys with different coercivities

In order to establish a succession law of every phase in sintered Nd–Fe–B magnets marked as 38/38H/38SH/38 UH, four alloys of Nd33-xDyxAl0.7Nb0.6Cu0.1B1.05 Fe bal.(at%) were investigated after smelting processing, sintering processing, high-temperature tempering processing, and highand low-temperature tempering processing. It is found that the four phases: the Nd2Fe14B matrix phase, Nd-rich phase,B-rich phase, and defect phase can be inherited by means of the subsequent processing. These phases might have the special constitution and appearance in the different states.Magnetic properties also have succession law. In every processing except smelting one, the values of remanence and maximum energy product hardly alter, but the value of coercive force increases gradually.     

Evolution of physical properties of amorphous Fe–Ni–Nb–B alloys with different Ni/Fe ratio upon thermal treatment

Amorphous ribbons (Fe–Ni)₈₁Nb₇B₁₂ with Ni/Fe = 0, 1/6, 1/3 and 1 were prepared by planar flow casting. Thermal treatment of samples was performed in vacuum at temperatures chosen to map the evolution of selected properties in the course of transformation from amorphous state. The coefficient of thermal dilatation exhibits changes at temperatures close to the glass transition, Curie and crystallization temperatures; these effects are enhanced or suppressed by cyclic thermal treatments up to the vicinity of these temperatures. The values of saturation magnetostriction λ_S allow to infer about processes taking place in the investigated materials, especially with respect to formation of new magnetic phases or magnetic anisotropy.Complex processes of structural transformations induced by thermal treatment are strongly affected by Ni percentage. A transitional, magnetically harder phase, which is formed at lower temperatures preferentially near surfaces of the Ni-richest alloy, produces characteristic hysteresis loop shape. This shape disappears after annealing at higher temperatures and enables the material to show the lowest coercivity of the whole alloy series. The saturation magnetic polarization reflects mainly the resulting Curie temperature, which falls with increasing Ni percentage. Magnetic hysteresis loops were also used in the study of dynamics of magnetic domains by MOKE. Domain shape evolution is shown in dependence on composition and thermal treatment as well as a function of applied magnetic field, ranging from remanent sample state to magnetic saturation.     

Effect of high magnetic field on the crystallization of Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets

Nd8.1Dy0.9Fe76.95Co8.55B5.5 nanocomposite magnets annealed with and without a 10 T magnetic field were investigated in this article. The ribbons with coexisting amorphous and crystalline phases were selected to do this study. The resuits of Moessbauer spectroscopy revealed that the content of α--Fe increased when annealed in high strength magnetic field. The size of the grains also increased considerably after the application of magnetic annealing. All these led to the decrease of the magnetic properties, especially the coercivity of the ribbons.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–(Nd)–Zr alloys with different extrusion processes

The effect of Nd addition and the in?uence of extrusion processes on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Zn–0.5Zr(ZK60) and Mg–6Zn–1.5Nd–0.5Zr(ZKNd602) alloys were investigated. Nd element can obviously re?ne the microstructure of both as-cast and asextruded Mg–Zn–Nd–Zr alloy. All of the extruded alloys exhibit a bimodal grain structure composed of equiaxed?ne recrystallized(DRXed) grains and elongated coarse un DRXed grains. It is necessary to achieve high strength,particularly the yield strength, for ZKNd602 alloy, when it is extruded with a lower extrusion temperature, a suitable extrusion ratio and a relatively lower extrusion ram speed. In this study, the ultimate tensile strength(UTS),yield strength(YS) and elongation(El) of the extruded ZKNd602 alloy were 421 MPa, 402 MPa and 6.7 %,respectively, with extrusion temperature of 290 °C, extrusion ratio of 18:1 and a ram speed of approximate0.4 mm·s~(-1). Meanwhile, the extrusion process has obvious effects on the room-temperature properties but weak effects on the high-temperature properties.     

High-coercivity ultrafine-grained anisotropic Nd–Fe–B magnets processed by hot deformation and the Nd–Cu grain boundary diffusion process

The grain boundary diffusion process using an Nd₇₀Cu₃₀ eutectic alloy has been applied to hot-deformed anisotropic Nd–Fe–B magnets, resulting in a substantial enhancement of coercivity, from 1.5 T to 2.3 T, at the expense of remanence. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the areal fraction of an Nd-rich intergranular phase increased from 10% to 37%. The intergranular phase of the hot-deformed magnet initially contained ～55 at.% ferromagnetic element, while it diminished to an undetectable level after the process. Microscale eutectic solidification of Nd/NdCu as well as a fine lamellae structure of Nd₇₀(Co,Cu)₃₀/Nd were observed in the intergranular phase. Micromagnetic simulations indicated that the reduction of the magnetization in the intergranular phases leads to the enhancement of coercivity in agreement with the experimental observation.     

The effects of long term annealing at 1000°C for 24 h on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Pr–Fe–B/Nd–Fe–B magnets based on Nd16Fe76B8 and Pr16Fe76B8

Magnets produced via a hydrogen decrepitation/roller-milling route have been subjected to a post sintering heat treatment of 1000°C for 24 h. Alloys of nominal composition Pr₁₆Fe₇₆B₈ and Nd₁₆Fe₇₆B₈ have been studied in terms of both microstructure and magnetic properties to determine the influence of this 24-h annealing treatment. The effect of annealing the Pr₁₆Fe₇₆B₈ magnets at 1000°C for up to 24 h resulted in a general increase in the overall magnetic properties, especially in the intrinsic coercivity. In contrast to these observations, the same heat treatment was found to be detrimental to all the magnetic properties of the Nd₁₆Fe₇₆B₈ magnets.     

The characterization of structure,thermal stability and magnetic properties of Fe–Co–B–Si–Nb bulk amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys

Recently bulk amorphous alloys have attracted great attention due to their excellent magnetic properties. The glass-forming ability of bulk amorphous alloys depends on the temperature difference (ΔT_x) between glass transition temperature (T_g) and crystallization temperature (T_x). The increase of ΔT_x causes a decrease of the critical cooling rate (V_c) and growth of the maximum casting thickness of bulk amorphous alloys. The aim of the present paper is to characterize the structure, the thermal stability and magnetic properties of Fe₃₆Co₃₆B₁₉Si₅Nb₄ bulk amorphous alloys using XRD, Mössbauer spectroscopy, DSC and VSM methods. Additionally the magnetic permeability μ_i (at force H ≈ 0.5 A/m and frequency f ≈ 1 kHz) and the intensity of disaccommodation of magnetic permeability Δμ/μ(t₁) (Δμ = μ(t₁ = 30 s) ? μ(t₂ = 1800 s)), have been measured, where μ is the initial magnetic permeability measured at time t after demagnetisation, the Curie temperature T_C and coercive force H_c of rods are also determined with the use of a magnetic balance and coercivemeter, respectively.Fe–Co–B–Si–Nb bulk amorphous alloys were produced by pressure die casting with the maximum diameters of 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm.The glass transition temperature (T_g) of studied amorphous alloys increases from 807 K for a rod with a diameter of 1 mm to 811 K concerning a sample with a diameter of 3 mm. The crystallization temperature (T_x) has the value of 838 K and 839 K for rods with the diameters of 1 mm and 3 mm, respectively. The supercooled liquid region (ΔT_x = T_x ? T_g) has the value of about 30 K. These values are presumed to be the origin for the achievement of a good glass-forming ability of the Fe–Co–B–Si–Nb bulk amorphous alloy. The investigated amorphous alloys in the form of rods have good soft magnetic properties (e.g. M_s = 1.18–1.24 T). The changes of crystallization temperatures and magnetic properties as a function of the diameter of the rods (time of solidification) have been stated.     

The process of crystallization from amorphous state in ribbons of Fe–Si–B–based alloys under the effect of a high DC magnetic field

The effect of a high dc magnetic field (up to 29 T) applied during the crystallizing annealing of amorphous ribbons on the structure of Fe₈₁Si₇B₁₂ and Fe_73.5Cu₁Nb₃Si_13.5B₉ alloys has been studied. In the Fe₈₁Si₇B₁₂ alloy, an increase in the average size of grains that form during magnetic annealing has been revealed; in the Fe_73.5Cu₁Nb₃Si_13.5B₉ alloy, a small decrease is observed in the average grain size. The possible reason for this may be the differences in the specific features of the processes of crystallization of these alloys. No effect of the magnetic field on the crystallographic orientation of the arising grains has been revealed.     

Microstructure and magnetic properties of NiZn ferrite thin films prepared by sol-gel method

Ti^4＋ substitution for Fe^3＋ in Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 （NZF） ferrite thin films were realized by sol-gel method and annealing at 600℃for 30 min in the air. Crystal structure and lattice constant determination was performed by X-ray diffractometer （XRD）. Surface microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscope （SEM） and atomic force microscope （AFM）, and the magnetic properties were measured by vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. XRD analyses of the samples show that Ni0.5＋xZn0.5TixFe2-2xO4 （NZTF） films with x varing from 0 to 0.15 in steps of 0.05 are composed of single phase with spinel structure. And the lattice parameter, particle size and the diffraction intensity of the films increase with substitution of Ti as the result of the larger radius ions entering the lattice. SEM and AFM show homogeneous grain size of each sample, but there is a few differences in grain size with different Ti-substitution contents. As the nonmagnetic Ti^4＋ substitutes Fe^3＋, both the saturation magnetization and coercivity decrease.     

Structure and magnetic properties of amorphous and polycrystalline Fe3O4 thin films

Half-metallic Fe3O4 films prepared by-DC magnetron reactive sputtering with a tantalum（Ta） buffer layer was investigated. Primary emphasis is placed on the structural impact on its magnetic properties. The experimental results show that the amorphous Fe3O4 films exhibit a superparamagnetic response at a large-scale from 20 nm to 150 nm, and the magnetoresistance （MR） isn＇t detected. By contrast, the polycrystalline Fe3O4 films possess large saturation magnetization Ms of 420 A/（kg.cm） and a clear magnetoresistance with a field of 40 kA/m. The unusual properties for the amorphous Fe3O4 film are attributed to the existing large density of the similar structure as anti-phase boundaries in the film.     

Microstructure and magnetostrictive properties of Tb doped Fe–Ga bulk alloys prepared by melt quenching

The microstructure and magnetostrictive properties were investigated in the Tb doped Fe83Ga17-xTbx(x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50) bulk rods prepared by melt rapidly quenching. The partial solid solubility of Tb in the Fe–Ga matrix was preliminary detected by the lattice parameters and SEM observation. The matrix keeps A2 structure and the second phase appears surround the grain boundary as x C 0.1. h100 i preferred orientation is also observed for x = 0.1 sample along the axis of the quenched rod. The saturation magnetostriction first increases and maximum value reaches at x = 0.1, and then decreases with Tb addition increasing. The initial increase of the magnetostriction should be associated with the partial solution of Tb in the matrix, the maximum value at x = 0.1 should be attributed to the h100 i preferred orientation, and the decrease of the magnetostriction is correlated with the appearance of the second phase along the grain boundary.     

Influence of heat treatment on the structure and magnetic properties of amorphous Co–Ni–Fe–Cr–Si–B alloy and its thermal stability

The causes of changes in the magnetic properties of an amorphous Co–Ni–Fe–Cr–Si–B alloy obtained by melt spinning in the form of a thin ribbon subjected to heat treatment and subsequent action of temperatures corresponding to various conditions of its exploitation have been analyzed. We have established the regimes of heat treatment that provide for the highest values of the maximum magnetic permeability of the alloy and the shielding factor of a magnetic shield made from the alloy. We have analyzed changes in the magnetic properties, shielding properties, and total magnetization distribution in an alloy ribbon at a temperature well below the crystallization temperature. We have found the temperature ranges that determine the practical application of this alloy.     

Structure and magnetic properties of TbCu_7-type melt-spun Sm–Fe–B alloys

The melt-spun SmFe_(12)B_x(x = 0, 0.50, 0.75,1.00, 1.25 and 1.50) ribbons were prepared at 40 m·s~(-1),and their structure and magnetic properties were studied by powder X-ray diffraction(XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). XRD results indicate that SmFe_(12)B_x alloys with 0.50 ≤ x ≤ 1.00 are composed of single-phase TbCu_7-type structure. Moreover, it is found that the boron addition can inhibit the emergence of soft magnetic phase a-Fe and result in the increase in the axial ratio c/a. After annealing at 650 ℃ for 0.5 h, the metastable phase TbCu_7 initially decomposes into the stable phase Sm_2Fe_(14)B(Nd_2Fe_(14)B-type) and a-Fe. The value of magnetic moment per Fe atom increases slightly from 1.75 uB for boron-free sample to 1.80 uB for the x = 0.75 sample and then decreases again.In addition, the best magnetic properties of maximum energy product [(BH)_(max)] of 14.56 kJ·m~(-3), coercivity(H_(cj))of 172.6 kA·m~(-1) and remanence(B_r) of 0.45 T are obtained for the SmFe_(12)B_(1.00) alloy. Based on transmission electron microscopy(TEM) results, the average size of grains is around 197 nm for B-free sample and decreases to 95 nm for x = 1.00 sample, indicating that the addition of boron can refine grains.