Electrochemical corrosion tests of Nd-Fe-B-based magnetic materials with modified structure

Abstract

The wide application of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets in addition to the rare-earth metal resource constrains determine the necessity of their recycling. One of approaches to magnet-to-magnet recycling consists in using the grain boundary modification of sintered magnet material, which includes the grain-boundary diffusion (GBD) and grain-boundary structuring (GBS). The preparation of magnets with the modified structure determines a need for research their corrosion resistance. The corrosion resistance of magnets prepared by powder blending techniques, namely, magnets, which were recycled from hard-disk drivers, in using Dy/NdH2 additions in the powder mixture and magnets, which were prepared from strip-casting alloy, in using TbH2 hydride in the powder mixture, is studied. The corrosion potential and polarization resistance were measured, and the average corrosion rate was estimated based on polarization measurements of the magnet samples in the aqueous solution 0.1 M NaCl. Furthermore, a pitting resistance corrosion test was conducted and the values of pitting and repassivation potential were determined. The corrosive properties of the magnet samples are discussed from the viewpoint of the phase compositions of the material.