Magnetic properties of Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets with yttrium addition

The phase evolution and magnetic properties of Nd9-xYxFe72Ti2Zr2B15 (x = 0, 0.5, 1, and 2) melt-spun nanocomposite ribbons were studied. It is found that Y addition not only enhances the formability of amorphous phase in the alloy, but also stabilizes the amorphous phase during the annealing treatment. The appropriate content of Y addition effectively enhances the remanence (J(r)) of the annealed sample. The residual amorphous intergranular phase in the annealed sample optimizes the squareness of the loop, resulting in an larger maximum energy product (BH)(max). The best magnetic properties, J(r) = 0.78 T, H-ci (coercivity) = 923.4 kA/m, and (BH)(max) = 98.5 kJ/m(3), were obtained from the Nd8YFe72Ti2Zr2B15 ribbon spun at V-s = 4 m/s and annealed at 700 degrees C for 10 min, which is composed of Nd2Fe14B, alpha-Fe, and amorphous phase.