Formation and properties of NdFeB prepared by mechanical alloying and solid-state reaction

Magnetically isotropic Nd15Fe77B8 powder is prepared by mechanical alloying and a solid-state reaction from the elemental powders. Due to the extremely short reaction time (for example, 10 min at 700 °C) the magnetically isotropic particles have a very fine microstructure comparable to rapidly quenched samples, show a pinning-type behavior and possess excellent magnetic values such as IHC up to 13 kOe and BHmax up to 12.8 MGOe. Details on the development of the microstructure during milling, the reaction kinetics, and the magnetic properties are reported.