Rare-Earth elements, which are used to make permanent magnets that produce stronger magnetic fields, are a constant in the automotive industry. Indian scientists have developed a new low-cost heavy rare earth-free magnet that could boost EV production in the country in the near future.
Scientists from the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials’ Centre for Automotive Energy Materials (ARCI) have developed an improved rare earth Neodymium Iron Boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnet, which is in high demand for Electric Vehicles and can make them more affordable.
Magnets used in EVs
The Nd-Fe-B magnets used in EVs operate at high temperatures of 150 – 200 degrees Celsius and need to exhibit high resistance to demagnetization, a capability that pure Nd-Fe-B magnets do not have.
Since their discovery in 1984, Nd-Fe-B magnets have been one of the most sought-after permanent magnetic materials for a wide range of technological applications. It should be noted that brushless DC (BLDC) motors made of this rare earth magnet are used in over 90% of EVs.
Researchers trying to enhance the coercivity of magnets globally
Indian scientists have improved the coercivity of a Niobium (Nb)-containing Nd-Fe-B melt-spun ribbon by using a low melting point alloy as the source for the nonmagnetic element. “The coercivity value of 1 T at 150oC critical for automotive applications achieved in this research published in Materials Research Letter could be a useful strategy to develop magnets without Dysprosium metal or EV applications,” said the Ministry of Science and Technology in a release.
The research center has now ventured into setting up of pilot plant for the manufacturing of near-net-shaped Nd-Fe-B magnets and hopes that the strategy will be explored for the magnets manufactured in the pilot plant.
“The new strategy could also be used for commercial production of Nd-Fe-B magnets in India, reducing imports that meet the major requirements of the automotive sector,” the ministry added.
