Influence of oxygen content on grain growth in Pr–Fe–B/Nd–Fe–B sintered magnets

An investigation into the effects of intermediate/variable final oxygen contents, in relation to the resultant microstructures and final magnetic properties of Pr–Fe–B- and Nd–Fe–B-type magnets in the as-sintered state has been undertaken. For low oxygen contents the Pr–Fe–B and Nd–Fe–B sintered magnets exhibited excessive grain growth on sintering. A high oxygen content resulted in the elimination of abnormal grain growth for both materials, on sintering, where the level of oxygen contamination appeared to affect the grain growth process, although not the grain growth mechanism. Differences, however, in grain growth behaviour for the Pr–Fe–B and Nd–Fe–B sintered magnets have been observed. A changing oxygen content resulted in a variable grain size and grain size distribution for both the Pr–Fe–B and Nd–Fe–B sintered magnets, resulting in a progressive change in intrinsic coercivity, with oxygen content.