Novel permanent magnet based on highly anisotropic compounds

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern characteristic of TbCu7-type compound obtained for SmFe7.
Powder X-ray diffraction pattern characteristic of TbCu7-type compound obtained for SmFe7. 

CMI researchers at Ames Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight

Innovation
Critical-element-free magnet sample demonstrates highly favorable permanent magnet properties.

Achievement
Mechanochemically assisted approach to SmFe7 compound demonstrated remarkably high coercivity Hc = 27.3 kOe and BHmax = 11.3 MGOe

Significance and Impact

  • Cost and Criticality: Non-critical, abundant, inexpensive materials like Fe, Sm, La and Ce ($1.78/kg of Sm2O3, $1.47/kg of La2O3, $1.50/kg of CeO2)
  • Potential competitor of Nd-based magnets with comparable or better permanent magnet properties

Hub Target Addressed 
Win industry adoption of three technologies related to materials substitution for rare earth magnet materials. 
 

Hysteresis loop of wax-aligned SmFe7 compound.
Hysteresis loop of wax-aligned SmFe7 compound.