Abnormal variation of magnetic properties with Ce content in(PrNdCe)_2Fe_(14)B sintered magnets prepared by dual alloy method

Resource-saving(PrNdCe)_2Fe_(14)B sintered magnets with nominal composition(PrNd)_(15-x)Ce_xFe_(77)B_8(x=0–10)were prepared using a dual alloy method by mixing(PrNd)_5Ce_(10)Fe_(77)B_8 with(PrNd)_(15)Fe_(77)B_8 powders. For Ce atomic percent of 1% and 2%, coercivity decreases dramatically. With further increase of Ce atomic percent, the coercivity increases, peaks at 6.38 kOe in(PrNd)_(11)Ce_4Fe_(77)B_8, and then declines gradually. The abnormal dependence of coercivity is likely related to the inhomogeneity of rare earth chemical composition in the intergranular phase, where Pr Nd concentration is strongly dependent on the additive amount of(PrNd)_5Ce_(10)Fe_(77)B_8 powders. In addition, for Ce atomic percent of 8%,7%, and 6% the coercivity is higher than that of magnets prepared by the conventional method, which shows the advantage of the dual alloy method in preparing high abundant rare earth magnets.