Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
The magnetic properties and crystallographic alignment for Fe–Nd–B–Al magnets having different Nd contents were studied. It was found that higher Nd concentration (above 18 at. %) resulted in deterioration of the alignment. Also, extended ball milling of the powder particles resulted in poorer alignment of the grains in the final sintered magnet. This behavior was attributed to the cold welding of the small particles of the Fe14Nd2B phase by a mechanically soft Nd-rich phase in the course of ball milling.