High temperature 2 : 17 magnets: Relationship of magnetic properties to microstructure and processing

A comprehensive and systematic study on Sm(CobalFevCuyZrx)(z) magnets is ma de to completely understand the effects of composition and processing on th eir magnetic properties. These studies include the compositions required fo r the formation of cellular/lamellar microstructure, the effects of composi tions (x, y, v, z) and processing (aging temperature and time) on microstru cture and magnetic properties, the evolution of microstructure and magnetic properties and the magnetic hardening. All of these effects and results ma y be summed up as changing microstructure and microchemistry, which leads t o a variation of the distribution and amount of Cu at the 1:5 cell boundari es. This becomes the most predominant factor controlling the pinning streng th and therefore the coercivity and its temperature dependence.