Single crystal growth and magnetic properties of 2:17-type SmCo magnets

2:17-type SmCo magnets are suggested to be the best available high temperature magnets. Compared to the traditional magnets prepared by powder metallurgy or the polycrystalline magnets prepared by directional solidification, complete orientation and full density are expected for the 2:17-type SmCo magnets prepared by single crystal growth. In this paper, full density Sm(Co_balFe_0.1Cu_0.1Zr_0.033)_6.93 single crystal permanent magnets with well [001] orientation have been prepared by optical zone melting crystal growth, which decomposed into the major 2:17R plus minor 1:5H after heat treatment. The heat treated magnets with the orientation factor up to 0.99, have the high performance with coercivity of 34.0 kOe, remanence of 9.5 kG, and energy density of 21.7 MGOe.