The hydrogen decrepitation behavior of alloys and magnets based on Nd16Fe76B8

Abstract
The hydrogen decrepitation (HD) behaviors of various forms of the permanent magnet alloy Nd16Fe76B8 and stoichiometric composition Nd11.8Fe82.3B5.9 have been investigated to provide background information on the production of sintered magnets by the HD process. The influence of the initial microstructures of the alloys on the subsequent HD behavior has been examined. Thus the as‐cast ingots, homogenized ingots, and sintered magnets have been exposed to hydrogen at 2 bars of pressure at room temperature and the hydrogen absorption behaviors investigated by differential thermal analysis. The morphologies of the HD powders have been studied by scanning electron microscopy and have been related to the initial microstructures.