Microstructure and magnetic properties of nanocomposite Sm2Fe15Ga2Cx/α-Fe permanent magnets(Invited)

In our previous work, microstructure and magnetic properties of two-phase exchange-coupled Sm₂Fe_(15)Ga₂Cx/α-Fe nanocomposites have been investigated by means of x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and magnetization measurement. It was found the exchange coupling between the magnetically hard phase Sm₂Fe_(15)Ga₂Cx and the magnetically soft one α-Fe results in an enhancement of the remanence. The sizes of crystallites of both phases are, however, much larger than the Bloch domain-wall width of the magnetically hard phase. This microstructure gives rise to a concave demagnetization curve and consequently reduces the maximum energy product. In order to improve their magnetic properties, a few percent of Zr, which may be effective to refine the microstructure through rapid quenching, was introduced into the nanocomposites. The addition of Zr was found to improve the magnetic properties significantly. Under optimum heat-treatment conditions, the remanence, coercivity and maximum energy product increase from 0.65 T, 0.48 T and 50 kJ/㎥ for the Zr-free sample to 0.72 T, 0.77 T and 71.6 kJ/㎥ for the 1 at.% Zr-containing one, respectively. The improvements of magnetic properties are due to the refinement of microstructure by the addition of Zr.