Permanent magnets are at the heart of powertrains in the e-mobility industry. The stronger the magnet, the higher the power output of the motor and the smaller and lighter the motor can be built. But a powerful magnet must also be able to withstand demagnetisation due to heat or an opposing magnetic field. We use two new techniques to make permanent magnets even stronger and more robust: Grain Boundary Diffusion (GBD) and Grain Refining Technology (GRT). One major advantage of these technologies is that fewer rare earth elements (HREE) are used in these magnets.
The search for higher quality magnets is ongoing. Ever since the industrial production of permanent magnets, scientists and engineers have been developing new material compositions and production techniques to increase their energy density. The newest and most powerful permanent magnets are neodymium magnets (NdFeB). These magnets are also constantly being further developed. For example, over the last twenty years the energy density (BHmax) of neodymium magnets has increased from an average of 250 to 450 kJ/m3. The resistance (coercivity) to demagnetisation through heat or an opposing magnetic field is also on the rise. Nowadays, serial production of permanent magnets with a coercivity of 2,800 kA/m is possible.
Read the white paper about the new techniques used in e-mobility.
