SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of producing exchange-coupled magnets with a mixture of Sm2Fe17Nx and alpha double prime-iron nitride powders as starting materials. Advanced Materials Corporation (AMC), together with Georgia Institute of Technology propose to produce these powders with the use of a fluidized bed reactor and consolidate mixtures of these powders utilizing shock compaction techniques to produce exchange coupled magnets. During Phase I, AMC will examine a number of experimental variables (such as relative concentraions of the two nitrides, pressures of compaction and temperatures of consolidation to produce isostropic permanent magnets. The goal in Phase I is to demonstrate overall feasibility for manufacturing nitrided magnets. During Phase II, AMC and Georgia Tech will undertake the feasibility of producing anisotropic exchange coupled magnets.

Keywords:
NITRIDES, MAGNETS, HARD MAGNETS, SOFT MAGNETS, ENERGY PRODUCT, REMANENCE, COERCIVITY, EXCHANGE COUPLING

During Phase I, we have conducted proof-of-principle experiments to fabricate exchange-coupled isotropic permanent magnets with SmFeN-Fe4N compositions employing shock wave consolidation technique. We have also successfully synthesized nearly 100% Fe16N2 in bulk form. Under this Phase II plan, we propose to optimize and further enhance the isotropic exchange-coupled permanent magnets with higher energy products. We also propose to fabricate anisotropic exchange-coupled permanent magnets employing forging experiments concomitant with shock compaction. We will examine their texture, microstructure and magnetic properties. We will also continue our efforts to optimize the processing techniques to synthesize bulk Fe16N2 to examine if we can obtain a material with magnetic induction greater than 22 kG.

Keywords:
Iron Nitride, Samarium Iron Nitride, Exchange Coupling, Permanent Magnets, Energy Product, Electroma