Abstract

In this study, a convergent heat treatment was performed in certain temperature regions in order to control the microstructures of Nd-rich phases and to reduce thermal stress on grain boundaries which could be caused during expansion and shrinkage of Nd-rich and Nd_2Fe_14B phases. The difference of thermal expansion coefficient between Nd_2Fe_14B and Nd-rich phases is the mechanism for convergent heat treatment. The Nd-rich phases which were located in junctions could penetrate into the grain boundaries between Nd_2Fe_14B phases due to the difference of thermal expansion coefficient. Through the convergent heat treatment, the microcracks that were observed in cyclic heat treatment were not observed and coercivity was increased to 34.05 kOe at 8 cycles.

• Keywords: Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets;Convergent heat treatment;Thermocyclic;Magnetic properties;