Hydrogen as a working atmosphere for manufacturing permanent magnets based on rare-earth metals

The phase compositions and magnetic properties of permanents magnets of the systems Sm – Co and Nd – Fe – B are analyzed. Features of the hydrogenation–disproportionation–desorption–recombination (HDDR) process in the Nd₂ Fe₁₄ B intermetallic are considered. Using the Dd – Fe – B system as an example, we assess stages of manufacture of commercial permanent magnets and show the prospect of using hydrogen as a working atmosphere for the manufacture of magnetic powder. It is established that the HDDR of Dd – Fe – B alloys leads to their homogenization, grain refinement to a grain size of 0.2 to 0.5 μm, and an increase in the volume content of the main ferromagnetic phase Dd₂ Fe₁₄ B. By optimizing such a treatment, we managed to increase the magnetic energy (by 10%) and the lift force (by 25 – 27%) of Dd – Fe – B commercial permanent magnets.