The Art of Powdering of SmCo Magnets: A Key Step to Lay the Foundation for High Performance

In the complex production process of samarium cobalt magnets from raw materials to finished products, the powdering process is undoubtedly a crucial link. After the alloy ingots are smelted and cooled, their morphological transformation and property optimization have just begun. Next, these alloy ingots will be sent to the precision powder making machine, undergoing a gorgeous transformation from block to powder, laying a solid foundation for subsequent pressing and sintering.

After the alloy ingots are smelted and fully mixed in the furnace, they will be carefully taken out and placed in the cooling equipment. During this process, the alloy ingots gradually lose their fluidity at high temperatures and become hard and dense. The speed and method of cooling have an important influence on the microstructure of the alloy, which in turn affects the effect of subsequent powdering. Therefore, manufacturers will strictly control the cooling conditions to ensure that the alloy ingots enter the powdering stage in the best condition.

The cooled alloy ingots are sent to the powder making machine, which will be the key place for their morphological transformation. In the mill, various processes such as ball milling and airflow milling are used in turn to crush and refine the alloy ingots. During the ball milling process, the high-speed rotating balls will hit and grind the alloy ingots, gradually breaking them into smaller particles. The airflow mill uses the power of high-speed airflow to further refine and disperse the alloy particles.

These two processes have their own advantages, but the common goal is to grind the alloy into fine powder particles. In this process, it is particularly important to control the particle size and distribution uniformity of the powder. The size of the particle size directly affects the bulk density and fluidity of the powder, which in turn affects the effect of subsequent pressing and sintering. The distribution uniformity is related to the uniformity of the internal structure of the magnet, and ultimately affects the magnetic properties and physical properties of the product.

In order to ensure the high-quality completion of the milling process, manufacturers need to take a series of fine control measures. First, the process parameters of the mill, such as speed, grinding ball size, airflow velocity, etc., should be accurately set to obtain the ideal powder particle size. Secondly, the mill should be regularly maintained and cleaned to prevent impurities from mixing into the powder and affecting the quality. In addition, the powder produced needs to be strictly screened and tested to ensure that its particle size and distribution uniformity meet the standard requirements.

Although the powder making process is only one link in the production process of samarium cobalt magnets, its fineness directly affects the performance of the final product. High-quality powder particles can ensure the density and uniformity of the green body during the pressing process, and provide favorable conditions for the metallurgical bonding between powder particles during the sintering process. At the same time, uniform powder distribution also helps to form a denser magnet structure and improve the magnetic properties and physical properties of the product.

Therefore, in the production process of samarium cobalt magnets, the powder making link is given great attention. Manufacturers continue to explore and improve the powder making process, striving to be perfect in every detail, so as to produce samarium cobalt magnet products with excellent performance and reliable quality.