METHOD FOR TREATING POWDER FOR MAGNET

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that magnetic characteristics of a SmFeN-based magnet is hardly enhanced, because the magnet, which is manufactured through nitriding, causes a fluctuation in a nitrogen content such that alloy powders with large diameters contain little nitrogen but those with small diameters much. SOLUTION: This treatment method comprises a nitriding step, an inert-gas replacement step, and a dehydrogenation step. The nitriding step makes the powders contain more nitrogen than 3.4 mass% when the target nitrogen content is the value. The dehydrogenation step reduces nitrogen through removing hydrogen. The dehydrogenation / nitrogen reduction reaction proceeds mildly in the alloy powders with the large diameters, and actively in those with the small diameters. The treatment method enhances the characteristics of the magnet, because thus treated alloy powders contain the target amount of nitrogen without being affected by the powder diameters. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO