• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2011

The coercivity $H_c$ of $Nd_2Fe_{14}B$ magnets and $Nd_2Fe_{14}B/(Nd_{0.7}Dy_{0.3})_2Fe_{14}B$ composite magnets were calculated by computer simulation based on the micromagnetic theory under assumptions that $Nd_2Fe_{14}B$ and $(Nd_{0.7}Dy_{0.3})_2Fe_{14}B$ grains have magnetically deteriorated layers on their surfaces and diffusion of Dy from $(Nd_{0.7}Dy_{0.3})_2Fe_{14}B$ grains to $Nd_2Fe_{14}B$ ones through the contacting boundaries recovers the magnetic anisotropy of the deteriorated layers of $Nd_2Fe_{14}B$ grains. $H_c$ of $Nd_2Fe_{14}B/(Nd_{0.7}Dy_{0.3})_2Fe_{14}B$ composite magnets increased by the diffusion of Dy from $(Nd_{0.7}Dy_{0.3})_2Fe_{14}B$ grains to $Nd_2Fe_{14}B$ ones and the resultant recovery of the anisotropy field of deteriorated layers of $Nd_2Fe_{14}B$ grains. The $H_c$ vs fraction of $(Nd_{0.7}Dy_{0.3})_2Fe_{14}B$ grains curve were convex for the magnets with the degree of alignment between 0.94 and 0.99, which suggests that the above composite magnets have larger $H_c$ values than the alloy-magnets with the same Dy content, and that we can save the consumption of Dy by using these composite magnets.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2015

We present a method, supported by theoretical analysis, for optimizing the usage of the critical rare earth element dysprosium in $Nd_2Fe_{14}B$ (NdFeB)-based permanent magnets. In this method, we use Dy selectively in locations such as magnet edges and faces, where demagnetization factors are largest, rather than uniformly throughout the bulk sample. A200 nm thick Dy film was sputtered onto a commercial N-38, NdFeB magnets with a thickness of 3 mm and post-annealed at temperatures from $600-700^{\circ}C$. Magnets displayed enhanced coercivities after post-annealing and as much as a 5 % increase in the energy product, while requiring a total Dy content of 0.06 wt. % - a small fraction of that used in the commercial grade Dy-NdFeB magnets. By assuming all Dy diffused into NdFeB magnets, the improvement in energy product corresponds to a saving of over 1% Dy (critical element). Magnets manufactured using this technique will therefore be higher performing which would potentially broaden the application space of these magnets in the traction motors of hybrid and pure electric vehicles, and wind generators.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.169-173
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• 2013

High-coercive (Nd,Dy)-Fe-B magnets were fabricated via dysprosium coating on Nd-Fe-B powder. The sputtering coating process of Nd-Fe-B powder yielded samples with densities greater than 98%. $(Nd,Dy)_2Fe_{14}B$ phases may have effectively penetrated into the boundaries between neighboring $Nd_2Fe_{14}B$ grains during the sputtering coating process, thereby forming a $(Nd,Dy)_2Fe_{14}B$ phase at the grain boundary. The maximum thickness of the Dy shell was approximately 70 nm. The maximum coercivity of the Dy sputter coated samples(sintered samples) increased from 1162.42 to 2020.70 kA/m. The microstructures of the $(Nd,Dy)_2Fe_{14}B$ phases were effectively controlled, resulting in improved magnetic properties. The increase in coercivity of the Nd-Fe-B sintered magnet is discussed from a microstructural point of view.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.437-441
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• 2016

Recently, the grain boundary diffusion process (GBDP), involving heavy rare-earth elements such as Dy and Tb, has been widely used to enhance the coercivity of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets. For example, a Dy compound is coated onto the surface of Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets, and then the magnets are heat treated. Subsequently, Dy diffuses into the grain boundaries of Nd-Fe-B magnets, forming Dy-Fe-B or Nd-Dy-Fe-B. The dip-coating process is also used widely instead of the GBDP. However, it is quite hard to control the thickness uniformity using dip coating. In this study, first, a $DyF_3$ paste is fabricated using $DyF_3$ powder. Subsequently, the fabricated $DyF_3$ paste is homogeneously coated onto the surface of a Nd-Fe-B sintered magnet. The magnet is then subjected to GBDP to enhance its coercivity. The weight ratio of binder and $DyF_3$ powder is controlled, and we find that the coercivity enhances with decreasing binder content. In addition, the maximum coercivity is obtained with the paste containing 70 wt% of $DyF_3$ powder.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.359-364
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• 2010

In an attempt to optimize the magnetic properties of (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B sintered magnets, hydrogenation and post-sintering heat treatment processes were investigated at various hydrogenation temperatures and heat treatment temperatures. The coercivity of (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B sintered magnets hydrogenated at $400^{\circ}C$ increased to about 1.2 kOe without any detrimental effect on the remanence. Moreover, the coercivity of the magnets was enhanced further by a consecutive $2^{nd}$ and $3^{rd}$ step heat treatment. These results eventually leaded to the reduction of the Dy content in a high coercive (> 30 kOe) (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B sintered magnets, as much as 10%.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.432-436
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• 2016

We investigate the microstructural and magnetic property changes of $DyH_2$, $Cu+DyH_2$, and $Al+DyH_2$ diffusion-treated NdFeB sintered magnets with the post annealing (PA) temperature. The coercivity of all the diffusion-treated magnets increases with increasing heat treatment temperature except at $910^{\circ}C$, where it decreases slightly. Moreover, at $880^{\circ}C$, the coercivity increases by 3.8 kOe in Cu and 4.7 kOe in Al-mixed $DyH_2$-coated magnets, whereas this increase is relatively low (3.0 kOe) in the magnet coated with only $DyH_2$. Both Cu and Al have an almost similar effect on the coercivity improvement, particularly over the heat treatment temperature range of $790-880^{\circ}C$. The diffusivity and diffusion depth of Dy increases in those magnets that are treated with Cu or Al-mixed $DyH_2$, mainly because of the comparatively easy diffusion path provided by Cu and Al owing to their solubility in the Nd-rich grain boundary phase. The formation of a highly anisotropic $(Nd,\;Dy)_2Fe_{14}B$ phase layer, which acts as the shell in the core-shell-type structure so as to prevent the reverse domain movement, is the cause of enhanced coercivity of diffusion-treated Nd-Fe-B magnets.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09b
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• pp.1171-1172
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• 2006

Addition of 2.0wt%$Dy_2O_3$ or 0.3wt%Sn proved to be very effective in improving the permanent magnetic properties of NdFeNbB magnets. $Dy_2O_3$ additions result in the increase in the Hci and temperature dependence due to formation of (NdDy)-rich phase and grain refinement of $\Phi$ phase. This improvement of the coercivity stability of the magnets from the addition of Sn is attributed to the smoothing effect of the Sn addition at the grain boundaries. The magnetic properties, the temperature dependence and Curie temperature of NdFeNbB with $Dy_2O_3$ and Sn combined addition were found to be considerably improved.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.221-227
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• 2012

High performance permanent magnets have become the subject of considerable attention because of the potential applications in the traction motors of hybrid and electric vehicles and wind generators. Nd-Fe-B magnets have attracted considerable interest due to a large maximum energy product. However, Nd-Fe-B magnet cannot be used in high temperature (${\sim}200^{\circ}C$) applications due to the thermal degradation of coercivity. Therefore, the development of high coercivity Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet is a challenging issue. In case of high coercivity Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet, an increment in the intrinsic coercivity can be easily achieved by substituting Nd atoms with Dy or Tb atoms. However, these heavy rare-earth elements are known to cause a decrease in remanence due to the antiferromagnetic coupling between Dy and Fe atoms. In addition, Dy is relatively expensive and being limited in quantity. Hence, a new technology that can increase the coercivity of Nd-Fe-B sintered magnet using only a small amount, or even, no amount of heavy rare-earth elements is being investigated. This article describes the research trend in reducing the heavy rare-earth elements in Nd-Fe-B magnets.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2012

Magnetic properties and the microstructures of magnets prepared by spark plasma sintering were investigated in order to enhance magnetic properties by grain size control. Nd-Fe-B magnets were fabricated by the spark plasma sintering under 30 MPa at various temperatures. The grain size was effectively controlled by the spark plasma sintering and it was possible to make Nd-Fe-B magnets with grain size of 5.9 ${\mu}m$.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2011

In order to increase the coercivity of (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B sintered magnets without much reduction of remanence, small amount of Dy compounds such as $Dy_2O_3$ and $DyF_3$ was mixed with (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B powder. After mixing, the coercivity of (Nd, Dy)-Fe-B sintered magnets apparently increased with the increase of Dy compound in the mixture. Addition of $DyF_3$ was more effective than $Dy_2O_3$ for the improvement of coercivity. Reduction of the remanence by the addition of Dy compound, however, was larger than expected mostly due to unresolved coarse Dy compound in the magnet. EPMA analysis revealed that Dy was diffused throughout the grains in the magnet mixed with $DyF_3$ whereas Dy was rather concentrated around grain boundaries in the magnet mixed with $Dy_2O_3$.