Recycling Bonded Nd-Fe-B Magnet Wastes: Recycle, Repreparation, and Life Cycle Assessment

At present, the research on the recycling of bonded Nd-Fe-B magnet wastes is primarily conducted at the laboratory level. This study presents the kilogram-scale recycling of waste bonded Nd-Fe-B magnets using a NaOH-ethylene glycol solution. The impact of reaction temperature and catalyst concentration on the recycling process at this scale was investigated, and regenerated bonded Nd-Fe-B magnets were prepared from recycled magnetic powders. The magnetic properties of the recycled powders and regenerated magnets closely resembled those of the original products. Additionally, a life cycle assessment was conducted to analyze the production and recycling process of bonded Nd-Fe-B magnetic powders, revealing lower environmental impacts for the recycling process compared to production. Therefore, successful scale-up recycling through a NaOH-ethylene glycol solution demonstrates potential commercial and environmental opportunities for bonded Nd-Fe-B magnet waste.