Rapidly solidified Nd7Fe67B22Mo3Zr1 nanocomposite permanent magnets

• Nd7Fe67B22Mo3Zr1 amorphous rods were synthesized by injection casting.
• Nanocomposite magnets were obtained after annealing the amorphous precursors.
• Magnetic properties arise from magnetically exchanged coupled soft and hard phases.

Nd7Fe67B22Mo3Zr1 magnets in rods have been prepared by annealing the amorphous precursors produced through injection casting. Phase formation, microstructure and magnetic properties of Nd7Fe67B22Mo3Zr1 magnets have been investigated and discussed in the as-cast and annealed states. Cast Nd7Fe67B22Mo3Zr1 rods have the soft magnetic characteristics, which changed into magnetically hard by annealing. Magnetic properties in Nd7Fe67B22Mo3Zr1 magnets are influenced by the intrinsic properties of magnetically soft α-Fe (Fe3B) and hard Nd2Fe14B phases. The Zr and Mo elements in the Nd7Fe67B22Mo3Zr1 alloy promote the formation of amorphous phase and reduce the grain size of magnetic phases. Optimal annealed Nd7Fe67B22Mo3Zr1 rods of 2 mm in diameter and 52 mm in length presented maximum magnetic properties such as: remanence (Br) of 0.53 T, coercivity (iHc) of 1110 kA/m and maximum energy product (BH)max of 49.5 kJ/m3.