Bypassing electrolysis: one-step calciothermic route from Nd2O3 to Nd2Fe14B

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation
The coercivity (Hc) of NdFeB powders prepared by the Ca-RD route was more than doubled to 5.35 kOe.

Achievement
By extending the pre-milling duration of the precursors and employing a low-temperature Ca-RD process, a high coercivity was achieved with only a slight reduction in remanence (Mr).

Significance and Impact
One-step calciothermic procedure circumvents the costly and energy-consuming neodymium metallization process through direct production of Nd₂Fe₁₄B permanent magnets from Nd₂O₃ and Fe, paving the way for domestic permanent magnet production.

Hub Target Addressed
Energy-efficient rare earth metals production.

graph shows room temperature M-H curve of synthesized NdFeB powder using Ca-RD route at lower temperature of 850 °C with longer, 9 hours, pre-milling time (Inset shows the magnified 2nd quadrant M-H curve). — Room temperature M-H curve of synthesized NdFeB powder using Ca-RD route at lower temperature of 850 °C with longer, 9 hours, pre-milling time (Inset shows the magnified 2nd quadrant M-H curve).