Phase transformation in nanocrystalline Sm 2 Co 17 permanent magnet material

• Published in: Journal of applied crystallography 2009-08, Vol.42 (4), p.691-696
• Main Authors: Song, Xiaoyan, Lu, Nianduan, Xu, Wenwu, Zhang, Zhexu, Zhang, Jiuxing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-8898
• DOI: 10.1107/S0021889809020081

Single-phase ultrafine nanocrystalline Sm 2 Co 17 , a candidate material for permanent magnets, was prepared by a novel simple route based on a home-built `oxygen-free' in situ fabrication system. The as-prepared nanocrystalline Sm 2 Co 17 has the stable hexagonal Th 2 Ni 17 -type (2:17 H) crystal structure at room temperature, which is distinctly different from the conventional polycrystalline Sm 2 Co 17 having the rhombohedral Th 2 Zn 17 -type (2:17 R) crystal structure at room temperature. Phase transformations in the nanocrystalline Sm 2 Co 17 alloy were investigated systematically by a series of annealing experiments. It was found that, along with the nanograin growth in the heat-treatment process, the crystal structure of the room-temperature phase transforms from 2:17 H to 2:17 R. The magnetization behavior of Sm 2 Co 17 alloys in different structural states was characterized. The relationship between the magnetic performance and the structure characteristics was analyzed. Understanding the phase transformation of Sm 2 Co 17 nanocrystals facilitates the development of nanocrystalline Sm 2 Co 17 -type magnets for high-temperature applications.