Structure and magnetic properties of the Nd9.5Fe84.5B6 alloy subjected to severe plastic deformation and annealing

Abstract

The effect of severe plastic deformation (SPD) by torsion and subsequent annealing on the structure and magnetic properties of the cast Nd_9.5Fe_84.5B₆ alloy is studied. SPD by torsion is shown to lead to partial amorphization of the Nd₂Fe¹⁴B phase and the precipitation of α-Fe; subsequent annealing results in the crystallization of the amorphous phase and the formation of a nanocomposite Nd₂Fe₁₄B/α-Fe structure. After SPD by torsion at 20 revolutions and annealing at 873 K, the (101) texture is formed; in this case, the coercive force is H_c = 360 kA/m and the maximum energy product is (BH)_max = 166 kJ/m3. The residual magnetization and the squareness ratio of the hysteretic loop of the textured alloy decrease as the ambient temperature decreases.