Directly obtained τ-phase MnAl, a high performance magnetic material for permanent magnets

The metastable tetragonal τ-phase has been directly obtained from casting Mn0.54Al0.46 and (Mn0.55Al0.45)100C2 using the drop synthesis method. The as-casted samples were ball milled to decrease the particle size and relaxed at 500°C for 1h. The phase composition, crystallographic parameters, magnetic properties and microstructure were systematically studied. The results reveal that the τ-phase could be directly obtained from drop synthesis. The highest Ms of 117emu/g was achieved in the (Mn0.55Al0.45)100C2 where the τ-phase was stabilized by doping with carbon. Carbon doping increased the c/a ratio of the τ-phase as it occupies specific interstitial positions (½, ½, 0) in the structure. Furthermore, ball milling increases the coercivity (Hc) at the expense of a decrease in magnetic saturation (Ms). The increase in coercivity is explained by a decrease of grain size in conjunction with domain wall pinning due to defects introduced during the ball milling process.