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Toshiba develops dysprosium-free samarium-cobalt magnet to replace heat-resistant neodymium magnet in motors

Toshiba Corporation has developed a high-iron concentration samarium-cobalt (SmCo) magnet that is free of dysprosium, a rare earth mineral that is in extremely short supply and increasingly expensive. (Earlier post.) At typical operating temperatures, the samarium-cobalt magnet has superior magnetic properties to the heat-resistant neodymium magnets—which contain dysprosium—currently used in motors.

The company has been working on SmCo magnets for a number of years (and has applied a SmCo magnet in a motor for a washer-dryer introduced in 2009). In this latest development, Toshiba used heat-treatment technology to improve the magnetic force of the samarium-cobalt magnet, and in doing so has boosted its performance to a level surpassing that of the heat-resistant neodymium magnet. The high-iron concentration samarium-cobalt magnet exceeds the heat-resistant neodymium magnet in magnetic force by 1% at an operating temperature of 100 °C and by 5% at 150°C.

Toshiba achieved this by reducing the oxide and the phase with high copper concentrations in the magnet, both of which inhibit magnetic force, and by increasing the amount of iron in the magnet from 15% to 20% by weight.

The traction motors for hybrid and electric automobiles, railroad vehicles and the motors for industrial equipment operate at relatively high temperatures, and heat-resistant neodymium magnets are generally used in these applications. Dysprosium is a key material of these magnets.

Current sources of dysprosium are limited, however, and recent export limitations from China and price rises are raising global concerns for future shortages. Samarium, by contrast, is available from Australia and the US. Under these circumstances, Japan has made the development of dysprosium-free high performance magnets that offer a strong magnetic force at high operating temperatures an important objective for industry.

Toshiba has verified the performance of the new magnet when applied in motors for automobiles, locomotives, machine tools and elevators, confirming that it has almost the same capabilities as heat-resistant neodymium magnets of the same size. The magnet is highly suited to motors that must combine high heat resistance with high performance and a small size.

The company aims to start mass production of the magnet at the end of the current fiscal year and promote its use in all applicable equipment.

The development of magnet and motor was supported by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s (NEDO) Rare Metal Substitute Materials Development Project.

Comments

HarveyD

Many alternative ways have been ignored but will be use in the future.

More effective alternative propulsion forces (e-motors) will be found-improved to replace ICEs in the near future. The same will happen to liquid fuels. Progress will not stop with ICEs.

kelly

This seems important. It's interesting how the Japanese pitch in after supply/natural/nuclear disasters.

Seven years after Katrina - how's New Orleans doing?

kelly

Another perhaps important article.. http://www.businessinsider.com/7-toilets-that-could-change-the-world-2012-8 (.. number one killer of children in the world is disease caused by contact with feces..)

ToppaTom

New Orleans is doing fine.

PC driven diversification of New Orleans is in full swing as US Gov grants to North Dakotans, Texas conservatives, DC plutocrats, San Francisco liberals and Boston autocrats is purging the city of its special, quaint, racially biased culture.

Tourism will suffer, but tourism is just arrogant patronization.

HarveyD

The next storm to hit the area will give New Orleans the final blow. It is not protected.

ToppaTom

New Orleans will be OK.

It is below sea level and the average buoyant force is 59 million tons at high tide.


Any day now it will pull free and pop up above the water like a cork; just watch.

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