Magnetic performance of SrFe 12 O 19 –Zn 0.2 Fe 2.8 O 4 hybrid magnets prepared by spark plasma sintering

In the last few years, significant effort has again been devoted to ferrite-based permanent magnet research due to the so-called rare-earth crisis. In particular, a quest to enhance ferrites maximum energy product, BH max , is underway. Here, the influence of composition and sintering conditions on the microstructure and consequently magnetic properties of strontium ferrite-based hybrid composites was investigated. The powder mixtures consisted of hydrothermally synthesised Sr-ferrite with hexagonally shaped platelets with a diameter of 1 μ m and thickness up to 90 nm, and a soft magnetic phase in various ratios. Powders were sintered using a spark plasma sintering furnace. The crystal structure, composition and microstructure of the starting powders and hybrid magnets were examined. Their magnetic properties were evaluated by vibrating sample magnetometer, permeameter and by single-point-detection measurements.