Magnetic Properties of Sm2Fe17Nx

Sm₂Fe₁₇N_x (x=3), of purity 95 vol%, was obtained by nitrogenation of Sm₂Fe₁₇ alloy using a mixture of NH₃ (0.35 atm) and H₂ (0,65 atm) gases. The saturation magnetization 4πI, was 15.5 kG, and the anisotropy field H_a was found to be 220 kOe. Aligned Sm₂Fe₁₇N₃ powders with an average grain size of 3 μm showed a (BH)_max value of 35 MGOe, computed assuming that the powder was compressed to its true density, i.e. a 100% packing ratio. The effects of the presence of an unnitrogenated phase and an SmFe₃N_y phase on the magnetic properties of the compressed powder magnets are also discussed.