Microstructure and magnetic properties of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets with high hydrogen content

The effects of hydrogen contents after the process of hydrogen decrepitation on the magnetic properties and corrosion resistance of sintered Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets have been studied. The intrinsic coercivity of the magnets increases and the remanence decreases with increasing hydrogen content. High residue hydrogen content in the starting ingot leads to the reaction of hydrogenation, disproportionation, desorption and recombination in the sinter process resulting in magnets with low remanence. The results of highly accelerated temperature/humidity stress test indicate that excessive hydrogen contents are harmful to the corrosion resistance of the magnets. The influences of residue hydrogen contents on the corrosion resistance of magnets dominate only when the residue hydrogen content exceeds 1300 parts per million. (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3563082]