Coercivity, microstructure, and thermal stability of sintered Nd–Fe–B magnets by grain boundary diffusion with TbH ₃ nanoparticles

Abstract

Abstract Grain boundary diffusion technique with TbH 3 nanoparticles was applied to fabricate Tb‐less sintered Nd–Fe–B permanent magnets with high coercivity. The magnetic properties and microstructure of magnets were systematically studied. The coercivity and remanence of grain boundary diffusion magnet are improved by 112 % and reduced by 26 % compared with those of the original magnet, respectively. Meanwhile, both the remanence temperature coefficient ( α ) and the coercivity temperature coefficient ( β ) of the magnets are improved after diffusion treatment. Microstructure shows that Tb element enriches in the surface region of Nd 2 Fe 14 B grains and is expected to exist as (Nd,Tb) 2 Fe 14 B phase. Thus, the magneto‐crystalline anisotropy field of the magnet improves remarkably. As a result, the sintered Nd‐Fe‐B magnets by grain boundary diffusion with TbH 3 nanoparticles exhibit enhanced coercivity.