Effect of sodium addition on structural and magnetic properties of solid state processed SrFe12−xAlxO19 (x ≤ 4)

Abstract

Aluminum-substituted M-type strontium hexaferrite (SrM-Al, SrFe12−xAlxO19, 0 ≤ x ≤ 4) with uniform microstructure and excellent magnetic properties was synthesized by conventional ceramic processing based on solid state reaction. Coercive field was highly enhanced by heavy doping with Al3+ although magnetization was significantly reduced. However, formation of coarse microstructure and poor development of Hc with low level doping of Al3+ disturbed practical application. To promote phase formation and to suppress growth of coarse grains which were induced by incorporation of Al3+ ions, SrM-Al ceramics was processed with NaOH. Such Na-assisted processing of SrM-Al reduced formation of non-magnetic phases and assisted development of uniform fine grains. In addition, the large residual strain by Al3+ doping was partially relieved by the same approach. As a result, saturation magnetization of SrFe12−xAlxO19 was remarkably enhanced and the BHmax of randomly oriented hard magnetic ceramics was improved to 1.23MGOe by concomitant addition of Na and Al ions.