Microstructure refinement and magnetic properties enhancement for nanocomposite RE2Fe14B alloys by Zr additions

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials 2018-08, Vol.460, p.263-267
• Main Authors: Tang, Dan, Liu, Ying, Li, Jun, Liu, Xiaobo, Zhou, Qixuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Composition; Magnetic properties; Microstructure; Zr addition
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2018.04.013

•Zr was added in Nd-Ce-Fe-B magnet to increase the magnetic properties.•The Zr addition can prevent the formation of CeFe2 phase.•The Zr addition can increasing the volume fraction of 2:14:1 phase.•The magnet with Zr addition has a excellent performance. Hcj = 5.86 kOe. (BH)m = 6.19 MGOe. The effects of Zr-substitution on the microstructure and magnetic properties of [(PrNd)0.32La0.22Ce0.46]22.0Fe76.7−xZrxB1.3 (x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 wt%) melt-spun powders have been investigated. It is shown that the Zr addition can prevent the formation of CeFe2 phase and α-Fe phase, increasing the volume fraction of 2:14:1 phase. Furthermore, the Zr addition can refine the grain sizes of α-Fe and 2:14:1 phases. Meanwhile, the formation of Fe2Zr phase and the decrease of CeFe2 phase improve its antioxidation. And the magnetic properties of bonded magnets are found to increase significantly. The coercivity Hcj increases from 2.57 kOe for the Zr-free sample to 5.86 kOe for the Zr-doped sample. The maximum energy product (BH)max of bonded magnets increases from 3.13 MGOe to 6.19 MGOe correspondingly, which attribute to the fine microstructure.