Research into processes of production of hydrides of materials containing rare-earth metals and their corrosion

Abstract

Production of permanent magnets on basis of rare earth elements (REE) is implemented by means of powder metallurgy, therefore a technologically important operation is the multistage mechanical crushing of materials to the extent of domains. The promising technique of crushing of magnetic materials is their consistent hydrogenation-dehydrogenation that allows obtaining nano-dispersed powders which are stable enough in air. Hydrogenation apparatuses, as opposed to conventional grinding machines, do not comprise motion works and their producing capacity is much higher. Hydrogenation process does not require any additional preparation of materials and it excludes undermilling and overmilling as well as material oxidation. The paper presents the results of investigation on the temperature effect on the hydrogenation process of Nd-Fe alloys. The study results on the corrosion stability of ligature hydrides under various conditions are also given. Kinetic parameters of the hydrogenation process of ligatures are determined. The phase composition of corrosion products is detected. Guidelines on hydride powder storage are given.