Dependence of Magnetic Properties of Rapidly Quenching (Nd,Pr)_x (FeCoZr)_(94-x)B_6 Bonded Magnets on Rare Earths Content

By using sub-overquenching and annealing method which has a wide processing window, (Nd, Pr), ( Fe-CoZr)(94-x)B-6(x = 12, 10.5, 10, 9) bonded magnets were prepared and the effect of rare earths content on magnetic properties was investigated. Being spun at sub-ove.quenching speed the as-spun ribbons consist of amorphous phases mixed with fine crystallites. After crystallization under optimum annealing conditions and bonded with 3.25% (mass fraction) epoxy, the magnets obtained the optimum magnetic properties. The rare earths content directly determines the magnetic properties. With the reduction of rare earths content, B-r increases but H-ci and (BH)(max) decrease. x = 10 is the critical value for the magnetic proper-ties change. Below this value, Br increases slowly meanwhile H-ci and (BH)(max) decrease strongly because alloy contains extra fractions of soft magnetic phase which are not coupled with the hard magnetic phase.. This experimental result is consistent with the calculated results using the model of volume fraction of soft magnetic phase coupled completely suggested.

Mechanism of Effects of Rare Earths on Microstructure and Properties at Elevated Temperatures of AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

By using real-space recursion method,the energetics of the undoped and Al and/or RE atoms doped 7（1450）〈0001〉 symmetric tilt grain boundaries（GBs）in AZ91 alloys were investigated.Similar calculations were performed on undoped and doped bulk α Mg for comparison.The results showed that Al atoms segregated at GBs in AZ91 alloys.When RE atoms were added,they also segregated at GBs,and their segregation is stronger than Al atoms＇.Therefore,RE atoms retard the segregation of Al atoms.Calculations of interaction energy indicated that Al atoms repelled each other,and could form ordered phase with host Mg atoms.On the contrary to the case of Al,RE atoms attracted each other,they could not form ordered phase with Mg,but could form clusters.Between RE and Al,there existed attractive interaction,and this attractive interaction was the origin of Al11RE3 precipitation.Precipitation of Al11RE3 particles with high melting point and high thermal stability along GB improves high temperature properties of AZ91 alloys.

Effect of rare earths on mechanical properties of plasma nitrocarburized surface layer of 17-4PH steel

The aim of this investigation is to reveal the influence of rare earths(RE) addition on mechanical properties of plasma nitrocarburized 17-4PH steel.The nitrocarburized layers were characterized by optical microscope,scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray analyzer,X-ray diffractometer,microhardness tester and pin-on-disc tribometer.The results showed that RE atoms could diffuse into the surface layer of 17-4PH steel plasma nitrocarburized at 500 °C for 4 h and did not change the ...

Effect of Rare Earths on Microstructure and Properties of TiC-based Cermet/Cu Alloy Composite Wear Resistant Materials

The effect of rare earth (RE) oxide on the microstructure and properties of TiC based cermet/Cu alloy composite hardfacing materials was investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), impact test and wear test. The mechanism of RE oxide for improving the phase structure and the impact toughness was also discussed. The experimental results indicate that the microstructure of the matrix can be refined, and the micro-porous defects can be eliminated by adding RE oxide into the composite materials. The polycrystalline and amorphous phase structure is formed at the interface of cermet and matrix metal. The formed structure enhances the conjoint strength of interface. The frictional wear resistance can be improved obviously, although the microhardness of the matrix metal can not be effectively increased by adding RE oxide.

Room-Temperature Mechanical Properties of Rare Earths Reinforced MoSi_2 Material

MoSi 2 and rare earths/MoSi 2 materials were prepared by mechanical alloying, IP and high temperature sintering techniques. Their room temperature properties such as bending strength, fracture toughness and electric conductivity were measured. The results show that rare earths have better strengthening and toughening effects on the MoSi 2 matrix than SiC does. The room temperature bending strength and fracture toughness of 0 9% rare earths/MoSi 2 material are 419 41 MPa and 5 81 MPa·m 1/2 , which have increased by 46% and 81% than the matrix, respectively. The strengthening mechanisms of rare earths/MoSi 2 are fine grain and dispersion strengthening. The toughening mechanisms are fine grain toughening, crack deflection and bowing toughening. Moreover, the effect of rare earths on the electric conductivity of MoSi 2 is much weaker than that of SiC whiskers. With the addition of 0 9% rare earths, the resistivity of MoSi 2 is only raised by about 13 9%.

Hard Magnetic Properties of Sm-Fe-C Based Alloys Prepared by Mechanical Alloying

The structure and magnetic properties of SmyFe100-1.5yC0.5y(y=8～20) alloys prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) from Sm, Fe and graphite have been investigated systematically. In order to improve hard magnetic properties of the alloys prepared by mechanical alloying, a new method consisting of re-milling and re-annealing was developed. After being re-milled and re-annealed, the Curie temperature TC of the Sm-Fe-C alloys changes. The TC of 2:17 phase increases, whereas the TC of 2:14:1 phase decreases. After being re-annealed at low temperatures, the grain sizes of hard phases are smaller than those in the alloys annealed at high temperatures. The effects of Co or Ti substitution for Fe are studied.

Effects of Rare Earths on Properties and Microstructure of Automotive Friction Materials

Rare earth compounds as modifiers used widely in modern friction materials can enhance the interfacial binding of constituents of materials and improve the comprehensive properties of materials evidently. However, there are still few reports on application of rare earth in automotive friction materials. In order to study the effect mechanism of rare earths in friction materials, a rare earth compound was selected as additive and the effects of materials doped with or without rare earth on friction and wear properties of materials were studied. The microstructure and worn surface morphology were observed by scanning electron microscopy and the macro performance was discussed. Worn surface element constitution of materials was analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Effect mechanism of rare earths on friction and wear behaviors of friction materials were discussed. The results show that doping rare earths in friction materials can stabilize friction coefficient, lower the wear rate of materials and increase the impact strength of materials. The flexibility and fracture resistance of materials is greatly improved. Worn surface of materials doped with rare earth is compact and the surface adhesion is greatly enhanced.

Effect of Rare Earths on Mechanical Properties and Microstructures of Si_3N_4-based Ceramics

The effects of Y2O3d, La2O3 and Nd2O3 on the mechanical properties and microstructures of Si3N4-hased ceramics were studied. It shows that a significant improvement in mechanical properties can be obtained by adding rare earths oxides in Si3N4. The fracture toughness and the fie-cural strength of Si3N4 added with both Y2O3 and La2O3 are 7. 8 MPa.m1/2 and 962 MPa, respectively. The main reason is that adding rare earths in Si3N4 can improve the microstructure of the material and increase the aspect ratio of β-Si3N4 grain.

First-principles calculations of Ni–(Co)–Mn–Cu–Ti all-d-metal Heusler alloy on martensitic transformation,mechanical and magnetic properties

The martensitic transformation,mechanical,and magnetic properties of the Ni_(2)Mn_(1.5-x)Cu_(x)Ti_(0.5) (x=0.125,0.25,0.375,0.5) and Ni_(2-y)Co_(y)Mn_(1.5-x)Cu_(x)Ti_(0.5)[(x=0.125,y=0.125,0.25,0.375,0.5) and (x=0.125,0.25,0.375,y=0.625)]alloys were systematically studied by the first-principles calculations.For the formation energy,the martensite is smaller than the austenite,the Ni–(Co)–Mn–Cu–Ti alloys studied in this work can undergo martensitic transformation.The austenite and non-modulated (NM) martensite always present antiferromagnetic state in the Ni_(2)Mn_(1.5-x)Cu_(x)Ti_(0.5) and Ni_(2-y)Co_(y)Mn_(1.5-x)Cu_(x)Ti_(0.5) (y<0.625) alloys.When y=0.625 in the Ni_(2-y)Co_(y)Mn_(1.5-x)Cu_(x)Ti_(0.5) series,the austenite presents ferromagnetic state while the NM martensite shows antiferromagnetic state.Cu doping can decrease the thermal hysteresis and anisotropy of the Ni–(Co)–Mn–Ti alloy.Increasing Mn and decreasing Ti content can improve the shear resistance and normal stress resistance,but reduce the toughness in the Ni–Mn–Cu–Ti alloy.And the ductility of the Co–Cu co-doping alloy is inferior to that of the Ni–Mn–Cu–Ti and Ni–Co–Mn–Ti alloys.The electronic density of states was studied to reveal the essence of the mechanical and magnetic properties.

Structure and magnetic properties of mechanically alloyed Tb_(0.2)Pr_(0.8)(Fe_(0.4)Co_(0.6))_(1.93) and magnetostriction of its epoxy composite

The C15 Laves phase with composition Tb0.2Pr0.8（Fe0.4Co0.6）1.93 was synthesized by mechanical alloying （MA） and subsequent annealing process. The structure and magnetic properties of Tb0.2Pr0.8（Fe0.4Co0.6）1.93 were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction （XRD）, a vibrating sample magnetometer, and a standard strain technique. The effect of annealing on the structure and magnetic properties was studied. The analysis of XRD shows that the high Pr-content Tb0.2Pr0.8（Fe0.4Co0.6）1.93 alloy with the single phase of MgCu2-type structure can be successfully synthesized by MA method. The sample annealed at 450℃ is found to have a coercivity of 196 kA/m at room temperature. An epoxy/Tb0.2Pr0.8（Fe0.4Co0.6）1.93 composite was produced by a cold isostatic pressing technique. A large magnetostriction of 400 ppm, at an applied magnetic field of 800 kA/m, was found for the composite. The epoxy-bonded Tb0.2Pr0.8（Fe0.4Co0.6）1.93 composite combines a high magnetostriction with a significant coercivitv, which is a oromising magnetostrictive material.

Phase Transformation and Magnetic Properties of Mechanically Alloyed PrCo5-based Magnets

PrCo5-based nanograin Pr=CO100-x （x=14-22） alloys with high coercivity were synthesized by mechanical alloying and subsequent annealing. The crystallization, phase components and magnetic properties of the alloys were investigated systematically. The main phase of the alloy for x=14 is Pr2CO17 with rhombohedral Th2Zn17-type. The amount of the Pr2CO17 phase decreases with increasing Pr content, and a nearly single phase PrCo5 with hexagonal CaCu5-type is formed in Pr18Co81 alloy. Further increase in the Pr content leads to the formation of another magnetically hard Pr2Co7 phase with its Curie temperature about 350℃. Remanences decrease monotonously with increasing Pr content, whereas the coercivities increase, reaching a maximum of 2040 kA/m （25.6 kOe） in Pr19CO81 powders milled for 5 h and annealed at 973 K for 2 min, and then decrease for higher Pr content. The high coercivity is attributed to the high anisotropy field of the PrCo~ phase and its nanoscale grain size.

Amorphization and magnetic properties of Fe_(62)Nb_(38) mechanically alloyed powders

The amorphization and magnetic properties of Fe_(62)Nb_(38) mechanicallyalloyed powders were investigated. In the initial mechanical alloying processes, the latticestructure of pure Fe is destroyed due to the cold-welding and fracturing, accompanying the reductionof ferromagnetic properties. The M_S value of Fe_(62)Nb_(38) powders with ball-milling time t = 6 his only 48.1 A·m^2/kg. With prolongating of mechanical alloying processes, a solid stateamorphization reaction (SSAR) takes place and the Fe-Nb ferromagnetic amorphous phase is formed.With the milling time increasing from 6 to 18 h, the saturation magnetization of Fe_(62)Nb_(38)powders increases with enhancement of the proportion of ferromagnetic amorphous phase in milledpowders. The M_S value of the Fe_(62)Nb_(38) amorphous powders is 98 A·m^2/kg, which is very closeto the value estimated from dilute model. However, the Curie temperature of the Fe_(62)Nb_(38)amorphous phase is only 206℃, which is much smaller than that of the pure Fe. This implies that theexchange interaction between Fe atoms in amorphous alloyed Fe_(62)Nb_(38) becomes weak due to theNb dilution. Investigation shows that the variation of magnetic properties of milled powders is oneof important tools for describing the amorphization by mechanical alloying.

Effect of niobium on glass-formation ability and soft magnetic properties of Gd-doping glassy alloys

The effect of niobium on glass-formation ability and soft magnetic properties were studied in Fe-Gd-B glassy alloys. The glassy alloys exhibited high glass-formation ability when the element of Nb was added. Bulk glassy rod （Fe0.87Co0.13）68.5Gd3.5Nb3B25 with a diameter up to 3 mm was produced by copper mold casting. The size of the atom might play an important role in increasing glass-formation ability. The coercive force of glassy （Fe0.87Co0.13）71.5.xGd3.sNbxB25 （x=1.2, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4） alloys decreased after the addition of niobium element and was in the range of 1.5-2.9 A/m. The permeability spectrum of （Fe0.87Co0.13）70.3Gd3.5Nb1.5B25 glassy ribbon showed that the relaxation frequency （f0） was 6.1 MHz.

Synthesis, Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Fe304 Doped by Dy^3＋

The Dy^3＋ -doped Fe3O4 samples were synthesized by sol-gel method, and the effects of dopant on the electrical and magnetic properties were investigated. According to XRD analysis, the high concentration doping of dysprosium ions in Fe3O4 can not be obtained due to the difference of ionic radius, and Fe^3 ＋ ions are replaced by only a small amount of dysprosium ions. The magnetic property was characterized by VSM. The substitution results in the change of saturation magnetization, which may be due to the complex effects of increasing magnetization resulted from Dy^3＋ substitution and decreasing magnetization resulted from the impurity. The electrical property was characterized by four-probe method. With the increasing eoped content, magnetoresistance also increases, then decreases, and increases again. The spin-polarization of doped samples is lower than that of Fe3O4. Lower spin-polarization results in lower tunneling magnetoresistance. Fortunately, barrier was obtained by the second phase at the same time when sample was synthesized. The increase of appropriate barrier height leads to the change of tunneling magnetoresistance.

Thermal Stability and Magnetic Properties of (Fe,Co)-Zr-Nd-B Amorphous Alloys

A new type of Fe-based amorphous alloy containing rare earth element was prepared by melt spinning technique. The glass-forming ability (GFA),thermal stability and magnetic properties were investigated in the composition range of Fe_(70)Co_8Zr_(7- x )Nd_ x B_(15) ( x =0% to 6%,atom fraction). They exhibit the glass transition and supercooled liquid region before crystallization. The width of supercooled liquid region obtained for the series of Fe_(70)Co_8Zr_(7- x )Nd_ x B_(15) exceeds (40 K,) among which the maximum width for Fe_(70)Co_8Zr_5Nd_2B_(15) amorphous alloy reaches 61 K. Another main attraction is that the selected Fe-based amorphous alloys have good soft magnetic properties. The saturation magnetization ( J _s) is in the range of 1.10 to 1.37 T,and coercive force ( H _c) in the range of 2.28 to 8.15 A·m (-1) for Fe_(70)Co_8Zr_(7- x )Nd_ x B_(15) amorphous alloys. It is found that the saturation magnetization ( J _s) increases with the increment of the relative content of the Nd for the Fe_(70)Co_8Zr_(7- x )Nd_ x B_(15) alloys. The H _c values for the glasses with Nd content of 1%,2% and 3% are below 3 A·m (-1). The research indicates that Fe_(70)Co_8Zr_5Nd_2B_(15) amorphous alloy has good high GFA and good soft magnetic properties,of which the width of supercooled liquid region,J _s,and H _c are 61 K,1.25 T and 2.28 A·m (-1),respectively.

Effect of Zr on Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Nanocrystalline (Nd, Pr)FeB/α-Fe Composite Alloys

For nanophase (Nd, Pr)FeB/α-Fe composite alloys were prepared by melt spinning, the appreciable addition of Zr reduces their average grain size. Observed by atom force microscopy (AFM), the average grain diameter of crystallized ribbons on their free surface, reduces from 175 nm of Zr-free alloy to 79 nm of Zr-1at%, by about 55%. If the concentration exceeds 1%, the effects of Zr on fining grain size are evidently weakened. The average grain size on free surface of Zr-1.5at% is 72 nm. With the addition of 1at% Zn, the bonded magnets has the best combination of properties: B_r=0.675 T, H_(ci)=616 kA·m^(-1), (BH)_(max)=77 kJ·m^(-3). Below 1at%, the coarser grains lead to a lower magnetic property. Beyond 1at%, the layer of Zr-rich intergranular phase will thicken, which results in weakening of the exchange coupling among adjacent grains, and then causes degrading of magnetic properties of magnets.

Structural Analysis and Magnetic Properties of Gd-Doped Li-Ni Ferrites Prepared Using Rheological Phase Reaction Method

A series of Gd-doped Li-Ni ferrites with the formula of LiNi0.5GdxFe2-xO4 where x = 0.00 - 0.08 in steps of 0.02, were prepared by thermolysis of oxalate precursors obtained by rheological phase reaction. The structure, morphology, and the magnetic properties of the samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction （XRD）, atomic force microscopy （AFM） and a vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. A single spinel phase was obtained in the range of x = 0.00 - 0.04. The lattice parameters of the Gd-doped samples were larger than that of pure Li-Ni ferrite, and increased in the range of 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.04, then decreased up to x = 0.08, because of the formation of the secondary phase （Gd- FeO3）. All samples were spheric particles with an average size of about 100 nm, but agglomerated to some extent. The hysteresis loops indicated that the saturation magnetization decreased gradually with increasing Gd content, while the variation of coercivity was related to the microstructure of the Gd-doped samples.

Refining Effect of a New Al3Ti1B1RE Master Alloy on Al Sheets Used for Can Manufacture and Behavior of Rare Earths in Master Alloy

The refining effect of Al3Ti1B1RE master alloy on Al sheets used for pressure can manufacture and the behavior of mixed rare earths in master alloy were investigated with XRD, OM, SEM and EDAX. It is found that the refining effect of the refiner on the material has superiority over foreign or domestic Al5Ti1B refiner, and the refiner still retains its refining ability for 6 h after adding it to molten Al, thus improving the strength and plasticity of the material remarkably. The excellent refining effect and stability of AlTiBRE refiner result from that RE can lower the surface energy of molten Al and improve the wetting characteristics of molten Al on refinement nuclei such as TiAl 3, TiB 2, etc., thus giving full play to the effect of heterogeneous nucleation and impeding the congregating tendency of TiB 2 phase in molten Al. At the same time, RE gathering in front of solid/liquid interface are also easy to cause composition supercooling in molten Al, thus impeding the growth of α Al grains and promoting α Al nucleation on refinement nuclei. In addition, RE also play certain role in purification and grain refinement, or modification, especially their effect of purification can improve the metallurgical quality of AlTiBRE master alloy.

Effects of Rare Earths on Toughness of 31Mn2SiRE Wear- Resistance Cast Steel

The toughness of 31Mn2SiRE wear-resistance cast steel were increased by means of RE compound modification and high temperature austenitizing. The results show that the microstructures can be refined, needle and network ferrite are eliminated, the dislocation density and the quantity of dislocated martensite are increased remarkably, and the shape and distribution of inclusions are improved by the addition of RE. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the modified steel can be greatly increased, especially the toughness (αK) by 44%, yield strength (σs) by 10%, and elongation (δ5) by 42%.

Effect of Gallium Addition on Magnetic Properties of Nd_2Fe_(14)B-Based/α-Fe Nanocomposite Magnets

The influence of Ga addition on the crystallization behavior and the magnetic properties of nanocomposite Nd2Fe14B-based/α-Fe magnets was investigated. It was found that the addition of 0.2% did not change the crystallization temperature of amorphous alloy, but the magnetic properties were improved significantly because of the strong exchange coupling interaction between the hard and soft magnetic phases. The optimum magnetic properties with iHc = 600. 3 kA· m^-1, B r = 0.75 T, and （BH）max = 88.03 kJ· m^-3 were obtained in bonded Nd9.5（FeCoZr）83.8 Ga0.3 B6.5 magnet with 15 m·s^- 1 wheel speed and 670 ℃ annealing treatment. The apparent improvement of magnetic properties originates from the grain refinement calculated using the Scherrer formula from corresponding XRD patterns and the excellent rectangularity of the demagnetization curve.