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Development of Rare Earth-saving Magnet Using Localized Diffusion Method

Journal Article
2013-01-1757
ISSN: 2167-4191, e-ISSN: 2167-4205
Published April 08, 2013 by SAE International in United States
Development of Rare Earth-saving Magnet Using Localized Diffusion Method
Sector:
Citation: Higashi, T., Miyoshi, T., Kato, R., Kono, M. et al., "Development of Rare Earth-saving Magnet Using Localized Diffusion Method," SAE Int. J. Alt. Power. 2(2):394-400, 2013, https://doi.org/10.4271/2013-01-1757.
Language: English

Abstract:

Nd₂Fe₁₄B sintered magnets are used in the drive motors of hybrid, electric and other vehicles. A magnet in which rare earth content is reduced by means of a localized diffusion method has been developed in order to reduce the volume of dysprosium.
The distribution of the demagnetization fields in a motor is not uniform, so the necessary coercivity distribution for the magnets was quantified using Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE). Then material specifications of the localized dysprosium diffusion satisfied with this coercivity distribution was determined, and optimal manufacturing conditions including the position of dysprosium diffusion were set. The coercivity distribution in every position of the magnet using localized diffusion method was inspected. As a result, the magnet was satisfied with coercivity distribution demanded by CAE.
Furthermore, evaluation of motor characteristics, especially the demagnetizing characteristic concerned with dysprosium reduction, showed this developed magnet to possess identical characteristics to a conventional magnet.
Dysprosium resources represent a particular issue among the rare earths more generally, and the technology developed in this project is able to reduce dysprosium use in magnets by approximately 30% without compromising motor performance.