Decomposition of B4C and magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-(B,C) alloys synthesized by mechanical alloying

Nd-Fe-(B,C) alloys have been synthesized by mechanical alloying and subsequent heat-treatment, with B4C as one of the starting materials. It is found that when the pure B4C is milled alone, it proves difficult to decompose. When the B4C compound is milled with Nd and Fe, the complete decomposition of B4C and the formation of Nd2Fe14(B,C) phase is observed. Furthermore, the competition between B and C atoms for entering the Nd2Fe14B lattice, the effects of the B4C content on the structure and the magnetic properties of Nd2Fe14(B,C)-based alloys are investigated. A coercivity as high as 18.3 kOe and the maximum energy product of 10.4 MGOe have been achieved for the Nd-Fe-(B,C) alloys.