IP Library Granted Patent US 7,172,659
Granted Patent B2
US 7,172,659 · App. 10/481,025 · Granted Feb 6, 2007

Method for producing quenched R-T-B—C alloy magnet

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,172,659
App. No.
10/481,025
Granted
Feb 6, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention is a production method of an R-T-B—C rare earth alloy (R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements and yttrium, T is a transition metal including iron as a main component, B is boron, and C is carbon). An R-T-B bonded magnet containing a resin component, or an R-T-B sintered magnet with a resin film formed on the surface thereof is prepared, and a solvent alloy containing a rare earth element R and a transition metal element T is prepared. Thereafter, the R-T-B bonded magnet is molten together with the solvent alloy. In this way, a rare earth alloy can be recovered from a spent bonded magnet or a defective one generated in a production process stage, and a rapidly quenched alloy magnet can be obtained. As a result, magnet powder is recovered from the R-T-B magnet, and the recycling of a magnet including a resin component can be realized.

Claims (27)

1. A production method of an R-T-B—C rare earth alloy (R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements and yttrium, T is a transition metal including iron as a main component, B is boron, and C is carbon) comprising the steps of:

preparing an R-T-B magnet containing a resin component;

preparing a solvent alloy containing a rare earth element R and a transition metal element T, ratio of said transition metal clement T being between 50 percent and 95 percent by weight, inclusive; and

melting the R-T-B magnet together with the solvent alloy;

wherein said R-T-B magnet and said solvent alloy are mixed at a ratio of 5:95 to 80:20, inclusive, by weight.

2. The production method of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy of claim 1 , wherein the R-T-B magnet is an R-T-B bonded magnet and/or an R-T-B sintered magnet.

3. The production method of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy of claim 2 , wherein the R-T-B sintered magnet includes a resin film formed on the surface thereof.

4. The production method of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy of any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the solvent alloy contains the rare earth element R of 0.5% or more and 50% or less by weight of the total of the alloy.

5. The production method of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy of claim 1 , wherein the solvent alloy contains B (boron) and/or C (carbon), and a total content of B (boron) and C (carbon) is 0.0 1% or more and 20% or less by weight of the total of the alloy.

6. The production method of thy R-T-B—C rare earth alloy of claim 1 , wherein the solvent alloy contains at least one additive element selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, P. S, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Zr, Nb, Mo, In, and Sn.

7. The production method of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy of claim 1 , wherein the R-T-B magnet is recovered as a defective product generated in a production process, or a spent product.

8. The production method of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy of claim 1 , wherein the step of melting the R-T-B magnet together with the solvent alloy is performed in a vacuum or inert gas atmosphere by using a high-frequency induction melting method.

9. A production method of an R-T-B—C rare earth alloy comprising the steps of:

preparing an R-T-B magnet including powder of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy produced by the production method of claim 1 ;

preparing a solvent alloy containing a rare earth element R and a transition metal element T; and

melting the R-T-B magnet together with the solvent alloy.

10. A production method of an R-T-B—C rare earth rapidly quenched alloy magnet comprising the steps of;

preparing the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy produced by the production method of claim 1 ;

preparing a molten alloy of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy; and

rapidly quenching the molten alloy, thereby producing a rapidly solidified alloy.

11. The production method of the R-T-B—C rare earth rapidly quenched alloy magnet of claim 10 , wherein before the step of quenching the molten alloy of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy, a rare earth element and/or a transition metal element is added to the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy.

12. The production method of the R-T-B—C rare earth rapidly quenched alloy magnet of claim 10 or 11 , wherein before the step of quenching the molten alloy of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy, B (boron) and/or C (carbon) is added to the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy.

13. The production method of the R-T-B—C rare earth rapidly quenched alloy magnet of claim 10 , wherein before the step of quenching the molten alloy of the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy, a rare earth alloy is added to the R-T-B—C rare earth alloy.

14. The production method of the R-T-B—C rare earth rapidly quenched alloy magnet of claim 10 , wherein the step of producing the rapidly solidified alloy includes a step of rapidly quenching the molten alloy by bringing the molten alloy into contact with a surface of a rotating cooling member.

15. A production method of a bonded magnet comprising the steps of:

preparing powder obtained by pulverizing the alloy for the R-T-B—C rare earth magnet produced by the production method of claim 10 ; and

mixing the powder with a resin.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 12, 2004
From: SUMITOMO SPECIAL METALS CO., LTD.
To: NEOMAX CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 016360/0418 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 5, 2004
From: SUMITOMO SPECIAL METALS CO., LTD.
To: NEOMAX CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 016522/0836 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2003
From: TOMIZAWA, HIROYUKI; NAKAHARA, KOJI; KANEKO, YUJI
To: SUMITOMO SPECIAL METALS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 015276/0562 →