Surface Morphology Investigations of Nanocrystalline R2Fe14B (R = Y, Nd, Gd, Er) by Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract

Abstract. The study was aimed at microstructure investigations of melt-spun rare-earth intermetallic compounds using atomic force microscopy. Surface morphology of R2Fe14B (R = Y, Nd, Gd, Er) was studied with nanometric resolution. Grain structure features were discovered depending on the rare-earth element composition and quenching regime. Grain size dependence on rare earth elements' composition decreased with the metal's serial number and atomic weight. Wherein structural size dependence on quenching wheel speed had non-linear character: increase the speed from 20 to 30 m/s led to 3 times decrease of the grain size and significant surface roughness reduction.