High performance magnet: Refractory metal and Fe-alloyed Ce2Co17

Calculated magnetic anisotropy for the indicated alloys, with highly desirable uniaxial behavior for x > 6.
Calculated magnetic anisotropy for the indicated alloys, with highly desirable uniaxial behavior for x > 6.

CMI scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted this research.

Achievement

First principles calculations find large uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with magnetizations exceeding 1 T,  for alloys Ce2(Fe1-xCox)15Zr for 0.4 < x <1.  Preliminary experiments confirm these predictions.

Significance and impact

Alloy may be promising magnet  with BHmax between 20 and 40 MG-Oe, relatively low Cobalt content (35 wt.% for x=0.5) and no critical RE. May exceed performance of Nd2Fe14B at elevated temperature.

Details and next steps

DFT Calculations within GGA+U and virtual crystal approximations. Synthesis efforts underway. Invention disclosure filed.

Hysteresis loop for Ta/Hf and Fe-alloyed Ce2Co17, with 8 MG-Oe energy product and under 48 weight percent Cobalt.
Hysteresis loop for Ta/Hf and Fe-alloyed Ce2Co17, with 8 MG-Oe energy product and under 48 weight percent Cobalt