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Send EmailNeodymium-Iron Alloy, Super Magnet Metal, NdFe Alloy, Neodymium Magnet Alloy, NdFe, 11110-99-3
NEODYMIUM-IRON ALLOY (NdFe)
Neodymium Magnet Alloy / Super Magnet Metal
CAS Number: 11110-99-3
EC Number: 234-360-7
1. IDENTIFICATION
| Property | Information |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Neodymium-Iron Alloy |
| Common Names | NdFe, Super Magnet Metal, Neodymium Magnet Alloy, Neodymium-Iron Alloy |
| Chemical Composition | Neodymium (Nd) + Iron (Fe) (may contain Boron for final magnet production) |
| CAS Number | 11110-99-3 (Neodymium metal) |
| EC Number | 234-360-7 |
| HS Code / GTIP | 8105.21.00.00.00 |
| REACH Status | Registered (varies by manufacturer) |
| Appearance | Silvery-gray, metallic |
| Odor | Odorless |
2. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical State (20°C) | Solid (metallic) |
| Appearance | Silvery-gray, metallic luster |
| Density | Approx. 7.4 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1020 – 1050 °C |
| Magnetic Properties | Extremely high (base material for NdFeB magnets) |
| Oxidation Sensitivity | Rapidly dulls / oxidizes in humid air |
| Reactivity | Reactive in humid environments; protective coating recommended |
3. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES & REACTIVITY
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Magnetic Phase (Final Product) | Nd₂Fe₁₄B (tetragonal crystalline structure) |
| Oxidation | Rapid surface dulling in humid air due to oxidation |
| Corrosion Susceptibility | Highly susceptible; requires protective coating (Ni, Zn, epoxy, etc.) |
| Brittleness | Hard and brittle; prone to chipping |
| Incompatible Materials | Strong acids, moisture, oxidizing agents |
Final Magnet Composition (NdFeB):
| Element | Role |
|---|---|
| Neodymium (Nd) | Provides magnetic anisotropy (unpaired 4f electrons) |
| Iron (Fe) | Provides high magnetization (unpaired 3d electrons) |
| Boron (B) | Stabilizes the crystal structure |
4. MANUFACTURING PROCESS
| Stage | Process | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Rare Earth Extraction | Neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃) is reduced to neodymium metal | Molten salt electrolysis / metallothermic reduction |
| 2. Alloying | Neodymium metal is alloyed with iron (and boron) | Vacuum melting or strip casting |
| 3. Powdering | Alloy is pulverized into fine powder | Jet milling |
| 4. Pressing & Alignment | Powder is pressed in a magnetic field | Orients magnetic domains |
| 5. Sintering | Pressed compacts are heated to bond particles | High temperature densification |
| 6. Finishing & Coating | Cutting, grinding, surface coating (Ni, Zn, epoxy) | Corrosion protection |
| 7. Magnetization | Final product is magnetized in a strong field | Creates permanent magnet |
Major Manufacturer Countries:
-
China (dominant producer)
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USA (MP Materials – Mountain Pass facility)
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Australia
-
Japan (Hitachi Metals)
5. APPLICATIONS
5.1. NdFeB Magnet Production (Core Use)
| Application | Sector |
|---|---|
| Electric Vehicle (EV) Motors | Automotive |
| Wind Turbine Generators | Renewable Energy |
| MRI Machines | Medical Imaging |
| Loudspeakers & Headphones | Electronics |
| Hard Disk Drives (HDD) | Data Storage |
| Robotics & Drone Motors | Industrial Automation / Aerospace |
| Defense Systems | Radar, Guidance Systems |
| Automotive Sensors | ABS, Electric Power Steering |
| Renewable Energy Systems | Wind, Hydro |
| Industrial Separators | Magnetic Separation |
5.2. Sectoral Compatibility
| Sector | Compatibility | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive | ✅ | EV drive motors, sensor systems, EPS |
| Electronics | ✅ | Speakers, microphones, HDDs, smartphones |
| Defense & Aerospace | ✅ | Guidance systems, radar, mission-critical components |
| Medical | ✅ | MRI, magnetic separators, diagnostic equipment |
| Renewable Energy | ✅ | Wind turbine generators |
| Robotics | ✅ | Actuators, servo motors |
| Food Industry | ❌ | Not suitable (risk of contamination, corrosion) |
| Textiles | ⚠️ | Only in smart textile sensor systems |
6. NdFeB MAGNET GRADES & PROPERTIES
Sintered NdFeB magnets are available in various performance grades :
| Grade | Br (mT/kGs) | Hcb (kA/m) | Hcj (kA/m) | (BH)max (kJ/m³/MGOe) | Max Working Temp (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N35 | 1170-1220 / 11.7-12.2 | ≥860 | ≥955 | 263-287 / 33-36 | 80 |
| N38 | 1220-1250 / 12.2-12.5 | ≥876 | ≥955 | 287-310 / 36-39 | 80 |
| N40 | 1250-1280 / 12.5-12.8 | ≥876 | ≥955 | 302-326 / 38-41 | 80 |
| N42 | 1280-1320 / 12.8-13.2 | ≥892 | ≥955 | 318-342 / 40-43 | 80 |
| N45 | 1320-1380 / 13.2-13.8 | ≥892 | ≥955 | 342-366 / 43-46 | 80 |
| N48 | 1380-1420 / 13.8-14.2 | ≥923 | ≥876 | 366-390 / 46-49 | 80 |
| N50 | 1380-1440 / 13.8-14.4 | ≥923 | ≥955 | 376-408 / 47-51 | 80 |
| N52 | 1430-1480 / 14.3-14.8 | ≥860 | ≥876 | 398-422 / 50-53 | 80 |
High-Temperature Grades (H, SH, UH, EH): Higher Hcj (≥1353 to ≥2388 kA/m) for working temperatures up to 200°C+ .
7. COMPARISON WITH OTHER MAGNET MATERIALS
| Property | Neodymium (NdFeB) | Samarium-Cobalt (SmCo) | Ferrite | Alnico |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Highest | Very high | Low | Medium |
| Energy Product (BH)max | 200-440 kJ/m³ | 150-200 kJ/m³ | 10-40 kJ/m³ | 10-88 kJ/m³ |
| Max Operating Temp | 80-200°C (grade dependent) | 250-350°C | 250°C | 450-550°C |
| Corrosion Resistance | Poor (requires coating) | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Brittleness | Very brittle | Very brittle | Brittle | Less brittle |
| Cost | Moderate | High | Low | Moderate |
| Primary Application | High-performance motors, EVs | High-temp applications | Low-cost consumer goods | High-temp sensors |
8. STORAGE & HANDLING
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Storage Conditions | Cool, dry, inert atmosphere (argon or vacuum recommended) |
| Container Requirements | Airtight, moisture-proof containers with desiccant |
| Protect From | Moisture, humidity, strong acids, oxidizing agents |
| Shelf Life (Alloy) | 12-24 months when stored properly (uncoated alloy oxidizes rapidly) |
| Safety Notes | Strong magnetic fields after magnetization – can cause pinching injuries; keep away from electronics and pacemakers |
9. ALTERNATIVES / SUBSTITUTES
| Alternative | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Samarium-Cobalt (SmCo) | High-temperature applications (>200°C); better corrosion resistance |
| Ferrite Magnets | Low-cost, low-performance applications; high corrosion resistance |
| Alnico Alloys | High-temperature tolerance (up to 550°C); lower magnetic strength |
10. SAFETY & HEALTH INFORMATION
GHS Classification (Final Magnet Product)
| Hazard Class | Category |
|---|---|
| Physical Hazards | Strong magnetic field hazards |
| Health Hazards | Pinching / crushing hazard; ingestion hazard (small magnets) |
Safety Precautions
| Hazard | Precaution |
|---|---|
| Strong Magnetic Fields | Keep away from pacemakers, medical implants, credit cards, electronics |
| Pinching / Crushing | Handle with care; use non-magnetic tools for separation |
| Ingestion (Small Magnets) | Keep away from children; multiple ingested magnets cause serious internal injury |
| Flying Fragments | Use eye protection when handling; magnets can fly together with force |
| Flammability | Not flammable (bulk material) – fine powder may be pyrophoric |
11. REGULATORY INFORMATION
| Region | Status |
|---|---|
| EU | REACH registered (manufacturer dependent) |
| USA | Critical material designation; domestic production expanding (MP Materials) |
| HS Code | 8105.21.00.00.00 (Cobalt mattes and intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy – applicable to Nd alloys) |
12. OTHER NAMES & SYNONYMS
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| NdFe | Common abbreviation |
| Neodymium Magnet Alloy | Alternative name |
| Super Magnet Metal | Trade name |
| Neodymium-Iron Alloy | Descriptive name |
| Rare Earth Magnet Alloy | Category name |
Database Identifiers:
-
CAS: 11110-99-3
-
EC: 234-360-7
13. SUMMARY
Neodymium-Iron Alloy (NdFe, CAS 11110-99-3) is the precursor material for NdFeB permanent magnets – the strongest commercially available permanent magnets in the world .
Key Features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Magnetic Strength | Highest of any commercially available permanent magnet |
| Density | ~7.4 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1020-1050°C |
| Corrosion Sensitivity | High – requires protective coating |
| Brittleness | Hard and brittle; prone to chipping |
Main Application Areas:
| Sector | Applications |
|---|---|
| Automotive | EV drive motors, sensors, EPS |
| Renewable Energy | Wind turbine generators |
| Medical | MRI machines, diagnostic equipment |
| Electronics | Speakers, HDDs, smartphones |
| Defense & Aerospace | Radar, guidance systems |
| Robotics | Actuators, servo motors |
14. IMPORTANT NOTES
-
Not a Finished Magnet: The NdFe alloy is the raw material; final NdFeB magnets require the addition of Boron and processing (sintering or bonding). The final magnetic phase is Nd₂Fe₁₄B .
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Corrosion Sensitivity: NdFeB magnets have the poorest corrosion resistance among common magnetic materials. Protective coatings (Ni, Zn, epoxy, gold) are required for most applications .
-
Brittleness: The material is hard and brittle. Handle with care to avoid chipping or cracking .
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Strong Magnetic Fields: Finished magnets generate extremely strong magnetic fields. Keep away from electronic devices, credit cards, and pacemakers. Use non-magnetic tools for handling .
-
Coating Options: Common coatings include nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), gold (Au), and epoxy resin .
-
Temperature Limitations: Standard N-grade magnets operate up to 80°C. For higher temperatures, select high-Hcj grades (H, SH, UH, EH) .
-
Critical Raw Material: Neodymium is classified as a critical raw material by many countries due to supply chain concerns .
Important Disclaimer: This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only. For complete safety, handling, storage, and regulatory compliance information, always refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier.
