Oriented texture formation of crystallized Nd₂Fe₁₄B through a microwave heating process

The microstructure and magnetic properties of Nd₂Fe₁₄B crystallized by microwave heating were investigated to reveal the effect of microwave on the microstructure. The c-axis oriented and nano-sized columnar grains of Nd₂Fe₁₄B were obtained through microwave processing. The oriented texture was limited to the surface region. This microstructure could not be observed through conventional heating. It was considered that the temperature gradient caused by microwave heating was responsible for the formation of columnar grains. In addition to the change in the microstructure resulting from the heating methods, the coercivity and remanence of the microwave irradiated sample was larger than those obtained via conventional heating.