Microstructure of mechanically alloyed Nd16Fe76B8-magnets

Abstract High resolution electron microscopy and analytical electron microscopy wereused to characterize mechanically alloyed Nd 16 Fe 76 B 8 which were previously identified as isotropic and anisotropic magnets. In both samples, two rare earth-oxide phases, NdO and Nd 2 O 3 , and a boron-rich phase were observed. Two grain boundary phases, the NdFe 2 -phase and a non-equilibrium Nd-rich phase, were clearly identified in the isotropic samples and seem to be responsible for their higher coercivity. Due to the alignment of the grains, the anisotropic materials possess a better squareness of the B-H loop and a higher energy product.