Magnetic properties and microstructure of mechanically milled Sm2(Co,M)17-based powders with M=Zr, Hf, Nb, V, Ti, Cr, Cu and Fe

The structure, microstructure, and magnetic properties of nanostructured Sm2Co17-based powders synthesized by mechanically milling and subsequent annealing have been systematically studied. It has been found that a nanoscale 2:17 phase with an average grain size of about 30 nm is developed within the powders, which have an average particle size of about 5 μm. Optimum magnetic properties of Ms=110.5 emu/g, Mr=66.2 emu/g, Mr/Ms=0.60, Hc=9.6 kOe, and (BH)m=10.8 MGOe have been obtained in stoichiometric Sm2Co17 powders milled for 6 h and annealed at 800 °C for 30 min. The observed magnetic hardening is believed to arise from the high anisotropy of the Sm2Co17 phase and its nanoscale grain size. A small amount of Zr substitution for Co significantly increases the coercivity by increasing the anisotropy field of the Sm2Co17 phase. Cu substitution in Zr-contained samples further increases the coercivity by introducing a nanoscale 1:5 phase which forms a uniform mixture with the 2:17 nanograins. The highest coercivity of 20.6 kOe has been obtained in the Sm12(Co0.92Cu0.06Zr0.02)88 powders. Fe substitution enters the Co lattice sites of the 2:17 structure, leading to an increase of the magnetization but a decrease of the coercivity. An optimum maximum energy product of 14.0 MGOe is obtained in the Sm12(Co0.7Fe0.3)88 powders.