Changes of Structure and Magnetic Properties during Crystallization in Cast Nd60Fe20Al8Co10B2 Alloy

The Nd60Fe20Al8Co10B2 alloy was prepared by suction casting of the molten alloy into a copper mold under argon atmosphere. The micro-structural and magnetic property changes in the Nd60Fe20Al8Co10B2 alloy during crystallization were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The precipitation and Nd-rich and Fe-rich phases have no significant effect on the intrinsic coercitity for Nd60Fe20Al8Co10B2 alloy annealed below 723 K. However, the growth of Fe-rich phase decreases the saturate magnetization and remanence of the alloy. The hard magnetic behavior is disappeared when the alloy is fullycrystallized.