Phase composition and magnetic characteristics of inert gas-atomized RE-Fe-B-based powders

Microstructure, phase constitution and temperature-dependent magnetic properties are examined for two size fractions of as-quenched RE-Nd-B-based powder produced by inert gas atomization for possible use as isotropic bonded magnet precursors. The atomized powders consist of the phase (Nd,Dy)/sub 2/Fe/sub 14/B with minute amounts of RE/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and /spl gamma/-Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/. Evidence of compositional segregation with particle size is seen. Room-temperature magnetic properties are H/sub ci/=12 kOe and B/sub R/=5.4 kG for the 10-20 /spl mu/m portion, H/sub ci/=1.8 kOe and B/sub R/=3 kG for the 100-150 /spl mu/m portion.