Enhancement of the maximum energy product of α-Fe∕Nd2Fe14B nanocomposite magnets by interfacial modification

Due to the existence of vacancy-sized free volumes in the interfacial structure of α-Fe∕Nd2Fe14B nanocomposite magnets, their energy product is thought to be enhanced by interfacial modification. To improve the interfacial structure, in the present study, we produce an interfacial amorphous phase with a volume fraction of 14%–16% in α-Fe∕Nd2Fe14B nanocomposites by a proper addition of Nb in the melt-spun NdPrFeCoB. The nanocomposites show a higher maximum energy product (BH)max=23.2MGOe and a higher remanence Mr=0.78Ms compared with the one without interfacial modification, (BH)max=16.1MGOe and Mr=0.75Ms.