Additive manufacturing of rare-earth-free permanent magnets

Magnetic materials with anisotropic properties have the possibility of greatly impacting the modern society, by enabling sustainable energy production as well as efficient electric motors.

The utilization of high performance rare-earth-free permanent magnets is, however, hampered by low coercivity, originating from a lack of crystalline texture. In this project, we will develop highly textured, additively manufactured MnAl-based magnets for the first time.

We will also develop a fundamental understanding of how additive manufacturing and crystal symmetry can be utilized for texture control in magnetic materials.The overall aim of this project is to manufacture complexly shaped, highly textured magnetic materials for application as rare-earth-free permanent magnets, exploiting new possibilities of additive manufacturing (AM).

We will utilize crystallographic symmetry and directional growth mechanisms to design unique materials with tailored magnetic properties.

Furthermore, we will gain a fundamental understanding of the governing processes in AM, by investigating how different scan strategies and solidification patterns can be used to tailor both texture and microstructure.

Finally, we will use in situ phase transitions at high temperatures, pressures and magnetic fields to govern the final magnetic properties of the textured MnAl samples.A successful project would have a direct impact on society and could lead to large resource savings and increased energy efficiency.