Structure and properties of Nd-Fe-B alloy subjected to HDDR process

Abstract

in this paper the Hydrogenation, Disproportionation, Desorption and Recombination (HDDR) route was tested, for the Nd-Fe-B master alloy, as a prospective procedure for recycling of sintered scrap neodymium magnets. The HDDR method is based on the hydro induced reversal phase transformation of Nd-Fe-B alloy: Nd2Fe14B + (2±x) H2 = 2NdH2±x + Fe2B + 12Fe. Microstructural observations (SEM), phase constitution studies (XRD) and measurement of magnetic properties (VSM) were done to investigate the HDDR transformation progress. It was observed that disproportionation reaction starts at the grain boundaries, where the Nd-rich phase is located. Average grain size was reduced and coercive material was produced as a result of the HDDR process. Obtained results are similar to literature data.