Understanding the microstructure and coercivity of high performance NdFeB-based magnets

Understanding the subtle link between coercivity and microstructure is essential for the development of higher performance magnets. In the case of R-Fe-B (R = rare earth) based materials this knowledge will be used to enable the development of high coercivity, Dy-free permanent magnets, which are relevant for clean energy technologies. A combination of high resolution characterization, molecular dynamics and micromagnetic simulations and model thick film systems has been used to gain valuable new insights into the coercivity mechanisms in R-Fe-B magnets. (C) 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.