The structure and magnetic properties of Sm–Fe–N powders prepared by ball milling at low temperature

Sm–Fe–N powders have great potential to be used for preparing high-performance bonded permanent magnets because of their high anisotropy field and large saturation magnetization. In this work, we report the morphology, structure, oxygen content and magnetic properties of the Sm–Fe–N powders prepared by high energy ball milling at low temperature. Compared with the samples milled at room temperature, the Sm–Fe–N powders prepared at low temperature display more homogeneous morphology, less decomposition, lower oxygen content, and therefore enhanced magnetic performance. Our experimental results indicate that the low temperature milling will be a promising method for fabricating Sm–Fe–N bonded magnets with high-performance. •We fabricated the Sm–Fe–N powders by ball milling without solvent or surfactant.•The low temperature milling inhibits the decomposition and oxidization of Sm–Fe–N.•The particle size of the powders milled at low temperature is smaller.•The powders milled at low temperature have higher magnetic performance.