A nanocomposite structure in directly cast NdFeB based alloy with low Nd content for potential anisotropic permanent magnets

A moth-eaten like structure with amorphous phase remaining inside the micro-sized Nd2Fe14B type grains was found in the NdFeB-based alloy prepared by suction casting. The worm-like soft magnetic amorphous phases show strong exchange coupling with Nd2Fe14B phase. This novel anisotropic nanocomposite structure causes the openness of the recoil loops. The formation of this new structure may provide an alternative approach to design anisotropic nanocomposite NdFeB-based permanent magnets with enhanced magnetic properties.279