Structure and magnetic properties of bulk anisotropic SmCo5/α-Fe nanocomposite permanent magnets prepared via a bottom up approach

Surfactant assist ball milling, chemical coating, and hot compaction techniques have been applied to prepare bulk anisotropic SmCo5/α-Fe nanocomposite permanent magnets. The effects of α-Fe content on the structure and magnetic properties of the magnets were studied. As the α-Fe content increases, the remanence of the magnets increases first, peaking at 5 wt.% of α-Fe content, then falls as the α-Fe content increases, while the coercive force of the magnets drops simultaneously. Crystal structure analysis shows that all the magnets exhibit noticeable c-axis crystal texture of SmCo5 phase. The SmCo5/α-Fe magnet with 5 wt.% α-Fe possesses M2.3T of 78.68 emu/g, Mr of 70.03 emu/g, and Hci of 8.02 kOe.

► SmCo5 nanoflakes with high coercivity and magnetic anisotropy were prepared.
► SmCo5/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets were prepared by a bottom up approach.
► The magnets exhibit strong anisotropy and exchange coupling effect.