Investigation of the influence of carbon on the magnetic properties of powder injection molded Nd-Fe-B magnet

The fabrication of Nd-Fe-B full-dense magnets by Powder Injection Molding (PIM) has been investigated in previous works [1]-[4]. Such studies were motivated by PIM advantages in attaining complex-shaped magnets without diluting the remanence as in the case of injection molded bonded magnets In this technique, the polymeric binders that act as a temporary vehicle that provide rheology for injection molding, are extracted by thermo-chemical routes prior to the sintering stage. This process is controlled by the applied heating rate and furnace atmosphere, which influence the binder decomposition that, in turn, invariably leaves carbon rich residues.