12 MG-Oe energy product of MM-FeCo-B magnet

Hysteresis loops of MM-FeCo-B magnets with different amount of Nb doping, showing improved loop squareness. About 7.5 wt.% DyPrCu was added as the grain boundary phase
Hysteresis loops of MM-FeCo-B magnets with different amount of Nb doping, showing improved loop squareness. About 7.5 wt.% DyPrCu was added as the grain boundary phase

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

Innovation
Grain boundary engineering yields 12 MG-Oe energy product in alloy with 90% less Nd than Nd2Fe14B magnets.

Achievement
Doubled coercivity Hc of MM-FeCo-B magnets from 1.7 kOe to 3.5 kOe and increased BHmax from 9 MGOe to 12 MGOe. This is done by optimizing sintering conditions and doping Nb. 

Significance and Impact
MM-FeCo-B magnets are already positioned as potential  low-cost, low-criticality “gap” magnet with performance between Nd2Fe14B and ferrite magnets. Further development is ongoing.

Hub Target Addressed 
Accelerated magnet discovery and maturation.