Analysis of Magnetization Reversal Process of Nd–Fe–B Sintered Magnets by Magnetic Domain Observation Using Kerr Microscope
We used a Kerr microscope, image processing, and photo editing to clarify magnetization reversal and its propagation in a sintered Nd-Fe-B magnet. Magnetic domain change was observed when a dc field from +20 to 20 kOe was applied to a sintered Nd-Fe-B magnet. Simultaneous magnetization reversal in several grains along the easy axis direction and its propagation to neighboring grains occurred. This indicates that the nucleation field in a grain and magnetic interaction between grains are important controlling factors of the coercivity of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets.
Magnetic Properties Improvement of Hot-Deformed Nd-Fe-B Permanent Magnets by Pr-Cu Eutectic Pre-Diffusion Process
Abstract Pre-diffusion grain boundary strategy was proposed to fabricate die-upset Nd-Fe-B magnets with excellent magnetic properties. Microstructure modification of die-upset magnets played a key role in determining the magnetic properties. The effective coercivity enhancement of die-upset magnets through pre-diffusion process was enhanced from 0.076 T/wt%Pr to 0.114 T/wt%Pr with a slight remanence loss. Driven by heat, the Pr–Cu eutectic alloys were diffused into melt-spun ribbons with weakened exchange couple of matrix phase, which led to enhanced coercivity. The uniform distribution of intergranular phase was obtained in die-upset magnet with pre-diffusion process and the remanence reduction was limited with a high squareness factor. Microstructure analysis confirmed that the pre-diffusion process suppressed the longitudinal/lateral ratio of platelet-shaped grains and grain growth in die-upset process. Simultaneously, the pre-diffusion process facilitated the formation of continuous and uniform grain boundaries (GBs). The grain size was distributed over a narrow range of value with similar local critical nucleation field, which resulted in the improved squareness. The thick and continuous intergranular phase strengthened the magnetic isolation between neighboring Nd2Fe14B phases and offered more “pinning” sites for domain wall shift. The modified structure hindered the nucleation and spread of reverse domains in a low magnetic field in favor of the coercivity enhancement. The view-direct time-dependent behavior of reverse magnetic domains indicated that the coercivity mechanism for die-upset magnet was a combination of “pinning” effect and nucleation model.
An investigation of the Nd-rich phases in the Nd-Fe-B system
Etude par microscopie electronique en transmission, diffraction de rayons X et spectrometrie Auger des structures cristallines et des compositions des phases riches en Nd dans le systeme Nd−Fe−B. Etude des transformations de phase accompagnant le frittage de la poudre aux hautes temperatures