Relation between oxidation microstructure and the maximum energy product loss of a Sm2Co17 magnet oxidized at 500 °C

Abstract

The oxidation microstructure and maximum energy product (BH)max loss of a Sm(Co0.76, Fe0.1, Cu0.1, Zr0.04)7 magnet oxidized at 500 °C were systematically investigated. Three different oxidation regions were formed in the oxidized magnet: a continuous external oxide scale, an internal reaction layer, and a diffusion zone. Both room-temperature and high-temperature (BH)max losses exhibited the same parabolic increase with oxidation time. An oxygen diffusion model was proposed to simulate the dependence of (BH)max loss on oxidation time. It is found that the external oxide scale has little effect on the (BH)max loss, and both the internal reaction layer and diffusion zone result in the (BH)max loss. Moreover, the diffusion zone leads to more (BH)max loss than the internal reaction layer. The values of the oxidation rate constant k for internal reaction layer and oxygen diffusion coefficient D for diffusion zone were obtained, which are about 1.91×10−10 cm2/s and 6.54×10−11 cm2/s, respectively.