Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 January 2011
The effects of silanising using the coupling agent γ-glycidoxpropyltrimethoxysilane on microstructural stability and magnetic properties of Sm-Co powder particles have been investigated. The silanisation provides structural stability by improving the oxidation resistance at 400oC for 10 hours. The untreated particles undergo microchemical changes by redistribution of alloying elements which mainly accumulate in parallel black and grey streaks in the interior of the particles. The silanised particles after heat treatment show coercivity of 836 Oe and the untreated particles show a much lower coercivity of 376 Oe. The difference in magnetic properties of uncoated particles is caused by diffusion of oxygen and microstructural instability.