R-T-B Rare Earth Sintered Magnet Composition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Nd-Fe-B magnets suffer from reduced coercive force when nickel is substituted for iron to improve corrosion resistance, and existing solutions fail to maintain magnetic properties while enhancing corrosion resistance.

Innovation Solution

The addition of silicon (Si) and copper (Cu) along with nickel in the composition of rare earth sintered magnets, specifically in the R-T-B system, improves corrosion resistance without sacrificing coercive force, with optimal weight percentages of 0.1-2% Ni, 0.1-3% Si, and 0.05-1% Cu, and a primary phase of R2-T14-B1 with an average grain size of 3.0 to 10.0 µm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nickel is substituted for iron to improve corrosion resistance, then corrosion resistance is improved, but coercive force is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidcoercive force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compositional parameters by adding specific amounts of silicon (0.1-3.0 wt%) and copper (0.05-1.0 wt%) alongside nickel to modify the magnetic properties and corrosion resistance balance in the R-T-B magnet system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite alloy system combining rare earth elements (R), transition metals (T including Fe and Co), boron (B), nickel (Ni), silicon (Si), copper (Cu), and optional minor elements (M) to achieve both improved corrosion resistance and maintained coercive force through synergistic interactions between components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If multiple substitution of Co and Ni for Fe is used to improve corrosion resistance, then corrosion resistance is improved, but magnet suffers substantial loss of coercive force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidcoercive force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the substitution parameters by limiting Ni to 0.1-2.0 wt% and adding Si (0.1-3.0 wt%) and Cu (0.05-1.0 wt%) to compensate for coercive force loss while maintaining corrosion resistance improvements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a multi-element composite system where the combination of R (26-36 wt%), T (balance), B (0.5-1.5 wt%), Ni (0.1-2.0 wt%), Si (0.1-3.0 wt%), Cu (0.05-1.0 wt%), and M (0.05-4.0 wt%) creates synergistic effects that preserve magnetic properties while enhancing corrosion resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2387044B1R-T-B rare earth sintered magnet
Publication Date: 2014.11.26 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD
  • EP2387044B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2387044B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A rare earth sintered magnet consists essentially of 26-36 wt% R, 0.5-1.5 wt% B, 0.1-2.0 wt% Ni, 0.1-3.0 wt% Si, 0.05-1.0 wt% Cu, 0.05-4.0 wt% M, and the balance of T and incidental impurities wherein R is a rare earth element, T is Fe or Fe and Co, M is selected from Ga, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, W, Mo, Al, V, Cr, Ti, Ag, Mn, Ge, Sn, Bi, Pb, and Zn. Simultaneous addition of Ni, Si, and Cu ensures magnetic properties and corrosion resistance.