Strong texture in nanograin bulk Nd-Fe-B magnets via slow plastic deformation at low temperatures

Nanograin magnets are potential candidates for ultrastrong magnets with high coercivity and high energy product. However, existing nanograin bulk magnets exhibit modest energy products because desired structures with nanoscale grain size and strong orientation (texture) are often difficult to obtain. This study describes a synchrony of the nanoscale grain size and strong texture in bulk Nd-Fe-B magnets by plastic deformation with slow strain rates at temperatures well below the melting point of the Nd-rich phase. High grain orientation (>90%) has been achieved for nanoscale grain sizes of 80-110 nm, giving the nanograin bulk magnets record high energy products (≥45 MGOe). Loosely-packed thick grain boundaries and creep-like stress-strain curves have been observed. Grain boundary mediated creep-like deformation is proposed as the mechanism for the high-degree nanoscale grain alignment under the deformation conditions without liquid phase. The effect of the strain rate on the texture and magnetic properties has been investigated systematically.