Preparation of NdFeB Powders by Gas Atomization

In this study, gas atomization can be used to prepare spherical NdFeB powders or thin flakes. The SEM micrograph of the NdFeB powders can be seen that all of the alloy powders are spherical and had smooth surfaces. The median particle size distribution D50 is about 25μm. The XRD of the thin NdFeB flakes are well indexed to the Nd2Fe14B phases with the prefer grain growth direction of the Nd2Fe14B phases. The NdFeB powders which prepared by gas atomization process can be potentially used for additive manufacturing applications. This study also demonstrated that well optimized gas atomization technique can be used to prepare highly oriented thin NdFeB flakes without using traditional strip-casting process.