Clarifying the basic phase structure and magnetic behavior of directly quenched (Ce,La)2Fe14B alloys with various Ce/La ratios

Abstract

To improve the performance/cost ratio of NdFeB based permanent magnets, Ce or/and La substitutions for Nd have been suggested. To better understand the effects of these substitutions, the fundamental behavior of (Ce,La)-Fe-B alloys has to be clearly understood. Here, we reported a systematic investigation on the phase structure, microstructure, and magnetic properties of melt-spun (Ce,La)2Fe14B alloys. The results confirm that partial substitution of Ce by La can effectively enhance the hard magnetism and thermal stability of (Ce1-xLax)2Fe14B alloys, while over 80% La substitution leads to the decomposition of 2:14:1 phase. The lattice parameters a, c and the Curie temperature Tc of 2:14:1 phase increase linearly with the increasing La content. La substitution can effectively refine the grain, resulting in the enhancement of inter-grain exchange coupling. The (Ce0.7La0.3)2Fe14B alloy with a mean grain size of 25 nm exhibits high remanence, maximum energy product and intrinsic coercivity up to 0.69 T, 6.2 MGOe and 217 kA/m, respectively. The present work provides a good understanding on the melt-spun (Ce,La)-Fe-B system for further developing low cost rare earth permanent magnets.