The impact induced demagnetization mechanism in NdFeB permanent magnets

Compression of unmagnetized Nd₂Fe₁₄B permanent magnets is executed by using shock waves with different pressures in a one-stage light gas gun system. The microstructure, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of the magnets are examined with scanning electronic microscopy, x-ray diffraction, hysteresis loop instruments, and a vibrating sample magnetometer, respectively. The NdFeB magnets display a demagnetization phenomenon after shock wave compression. The coercivity dropped from about 21.4 kOe to 3.2 kOe. The critical pressure of irreversible demagnetization of NdFeB magnets should be less than 4.92 GPa. The coercivity of the NdFeB magnets compressed by shock waves could be recovered after annealing at 900°C and 520°C for 2 h, sequentially. The chaotic orientation of Nd ₂Fe₁₄B grains in the compressed magnets is the source of demagnetization.