Bulk nanocomposite magnets produced by dynamic shock compaction

Exchange-coupled R2Fe14B/alpha-Fe (R=Nd or Pr) nanocomposite bulk magnets with nearly full density have been successfully produced by shock compaction of melt-spun powders. X-ray diffraction and transmission electronic microscopy analyses of the shock-consolidated compacts showed no grain growth upon compaction, in fact, a decrease in the crystallite size of both the hard and soft phases was observed. As a consequence, magnetic properties were retained and even improved after compaction. Hysteresis loops of the shock-consolidated powder compacts showed a smooth single-phaselike behavior, indicating effective exchange coupling between hard and soft magnetic phases. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.