New magnet alloys requiring less critical element content

colorful pyramid is image of phase diagram
Measured Curie temperature (Tc) of magnet alloys as function of Ce, La, and Nd content. 

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight.

Hot pressed ribbon of selected alloy to form bulk shapes.
Hot pressed ribbon of selected alloy to form bulk shapes. 

Innovation
Rapid discovery of magnet alloys with significantly decreased critical material (e.g., Nd) content and high energy product

Achievement
Using high-throughput synthesis techniques, rapidly mapped properties of alloys with decreased Nd content.  Chose alloy compositions for bulk synthesis via hot pressing of ribbons/flakes. The alloys, which have more than 50% of Nd substituted with cheap and abundant Ce and La, can be made into bulk samples with energy products greater than 20 MGOe. 

Significance and Impact

  • New alloys have 50% reduction in Nd and no Co or other critical elements.
  • Small amount (5%) of second Ce alloy enables bulk synthesis
  • Strength (BHmax) of magnets should increase with more advanced processing techniques.

Hub Goal Addressed
Developing low-cost and abundant substitutes for critical materials in technologies essential to clean energy applications.
 

line graph with blue and red lines
Magnetic properties of low Nd containing alloy after hot pressing 
Rare Earth Magnet alloy with 50% reduction in Nd content via Ce+La substitution