Core-Shell Auxiliary Alloy for High-Coercivity Sintered NdFeB Magnets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for preparing high-coercivity sintered NdFeB magnets face challenges due to grain boundary phase destruction and uneven distribution of auxiliary alloy components, leading to limited coercivity enhancement and compromised mechanical and corrosion properties.

Innovation Solution

A core-shell structure auxiliary alloy is introduced, comprising a high melting point metal nanopowder core and a rare earth alloy shell, which is vacuum coated and mixed with NdFeB powder, followed by orientation pressing and sintering to enhance grain boundary structure and coercivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nanosized auxiliary alloy powder is added to expand grain boundaries, then coercivity is improved, but the nanosized powder agglomerates and distributes unevenly, deteriorating mechanical and corrosion properties

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecoercivityVSAvoiduniformity of auxiliary alloy distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a core-shell structured auxiliary alloy composite material where a rare earth alloy core is coated with a metal shell. This composite structure combines the grain boundary expansion effect of rare earth alloys with the dispersibility and processability of metal shells, preventing agglomeration while maintaining coercivity enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the auxiliary alloy by coating the rare earth alloy core with a metal shell. This parameter change transforms the raw rare earth alloy powder into a core-shell structured auxiliary alloy with improved dispersibility, uniform distribution, and controlled reactivity during sintering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If high melting point nanosized auxiliary alloy powder is used to prevent abnormal grain growth, then grain boundary continuity is improved, but voids form at grain boundaries due to expansion, deteriorating mechanical properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrain boundary continuityVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The core-shell structure combines a rare earth alloy core that expands grain boundaries to maintain continuity with a metal shell that controls the expansion process and prevents void formation. The shell acts as a buffer that moderates the interaction between the rare earth alloy and the NdFeB matrix during sintering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The metal shell acts as an intermediary between the rare earth alloy core and the NdFeB matrix. It mediates the grain boundary expansion process, allowing the rare earth alloy to diffuse and expand the grain boundary while preventing excessive expansion that would create voids and compromise mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If rare earth auxiliary alloy is added and sintered to expand grain boundaries, then coercivity is improved, but grain growth occurs and grain boundary phase continuity is destroyed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecoercivityVSAvoidgrain boundary phase continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The core-shell auxiliary alloy composite enables controlled grain boundary expansion without uncontrolled grain growth. The metal shell regulates the diffusion process, allowing the rare earth alloy to expand the grain boundary phase while maintaining its continuity and preventing main phase grain coalescence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The core-shell structure effectively prevents grain growth, broadens grain boundaries, and significantly increases the coercive force of NdFeB magnets, outperforming traditional auxiliary alloys in magnetic properties and mechanical integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The core-shell structure effectively prevents grain growth, broadens grain boundaries

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGrain boundary strengthening: Grain Boundary Strengthening

Implementation Method 2

vacuum coating a layer of a rare earth alloy RxH(100-x) on a surface of a metal nanopowder M

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 3

sintering and aging treatment to obtain a high-coercivity sintered NdFeB magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP4044202B1Method of preparing a high-coercivity sintered ndfeb magnet
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 YANTAI DONGXING MAGNETIC MATERIALS INC
  • EP4044202B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for preparing a high-coercivity sintered NdFeB magnet. The method includes the steps of: (S1) Providing a NdFeB powder as a main material; (S2) Vacuum coating a layer of a rare earth alloy RxH(100-x) (2) on a surface of a metal nanopowder M (1) to obtain an auxiliary alloy material with a core-shell structure, with R is at least one selected from the group of Dy, Tb, Pr, Nd, La, and Ce; H is at least one selected from the group of Cu, Al, and Ga; M is at least one selected from the group of Mo, W, Zr, Ti, and Nb; and x is 30 wt.% ≤ x ≤ 90 wt.%, preferably 40 wt.% ≤ x ≤ 85 wt.%; and (S3) Adding the auxiliary alloy material obtained by step (S2) to the NdFeB powder of step (S1) and mixing, and after the mixture is uniformly mixed, orientation pressing of the mixture to obtain a compact body; and (S4) Sintering and annealing treatment of the compact body to obtain the high-coercivity sintered NdFeB magnet.