NEDO Succeeds in 40% Less Dysprosium Use in Neodymium Magnet

New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) announced on Friday the organization succeeded in 40% reduction of dysprosium consumption in neodymium permanent magnet in cooperation with Intermetallics, Tohoku University and other companies and institutions. They made fine particles of neodymium magnet by helium gas jet mill and improved the magnet’s coercivity under high temperature.

NEDO started a national project to reduce dysprosium consumption in neodymium magnet by 30% in cooperation with Intermetallics, Tohoku University and other companies and institutions for fiscal 2007-2011 ending March 2012. They succeeded in 40% reduction of dysprosium usage one year earlier than planned.

Neodymium magnet is the strongest permanent magnet applied to high power motors inside hybrid cars, air conditioners and many other applications. Dysprosium gives higher heat resistance to neodymium magnet. Neodymium magnet contains rare earths at about 30%. NEDO has researched for low consumption of rare earths in the magnet in recent years.

The project’s participants are Tohoku University, Yamagata University, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Santoku Corporation, Intermetallics, TDK Corporation and Toyota Motors.