Development of a new rare earth-free permanent magnet based on Sb-doped Fe3Sn

This CMI-funded research was conducted at Ames Laboratory 

Achievement:

• Theory suggests that uniaxial anisotropy in the rare-earth-free hexagonal Fe₃Sn can be achieved by Sb-doping at levels greater than 20%
• Using high-pressure synthesis, a new phase of Fe₃Sn_0.78Sn_0.22 was discovered which crystallizes in cubic structure type instead of hexagonal (as in parent Fe₃Sn)

Significance and Impact:
The heat treatment of the new cubic phase offers potential for the development of biphasic microstructure (cubic-hexagonal) and a strong rare-earth-free permanent magnet

Details and Next Steps:
Measurement of intrinsic magnetic properties to confirm the uniaxial anisotropy of the Sb-doped Fe₃Sn system and microstructure development