Influence of intermediate-heat treatment on the structure and magnetic properties of iron-rich Sm(CoFeCuZr)Z sintered magnets

In this study, we investigated intermediate-heat treatment (IHT) at temperatures between those of sintering and solution treatment, and evaluated the effects on the macrostructure, microstructure, and magnetic properties of Sm(Cobal.Fe0.35Cu0.06Zr0.018)7.8. We found that squareness was clearly improved by adopting the IHT, which promotes grain growth. These results indicate that reducing the fraction of grain boundaries by increasing the grain size affects the behavior of domain-wall motion. Magnetic properties of Mr 1.22 T, HcJ 1580 kA/m, and (BH)max 282 kJ/m3 (>35 MGOe) were obtained for Sm(Cobal.Fe0.35Cu0.06Zr0.018)7.8 subjected to IHT at 1453 K.