Asked AI about Bismuth and using it to make magnets Yes, bismuth can be used to make rare-earth-free permanent magnets when combined with manganese. The key points are:
- Manganese bismuth (MnBi) is a promising rare-earth-free magnetic material that can be used to make compact, energy-efficient permanent magnets for applications like electric motors and wind turbines[3][4].
- Researchers have developed a new microstructure engineering method to manufacture MnBi magnets with improved properties like high energy density and coercivity (ability to resist demagnetization)[4].
- The method involves using fine powders of Mn and Bi, warm compaction instead of high heat, and adding a non-magnetic grain boundary phase to prevent magnetic particles from touching[4].
- This grain boundary phase acts like reinforcing rebar in concrete, increasing the magnet's structural integrity and preventing magnetic interaction between grains[4].
- Warm compaction uniquely increases the coercivity of MnBi while decreasing magnetization, making it more stable at high temperatures compared to other magnets[4].
- The researchers have successfully scaled up production to larger magnet sizes, a key step towards commercial manufacturing[4].
So in summary, bismuth combined with manganese in the form of MnBi alloy can produce rare-earth-free permanent magnets with promising properties using an innovative microstructure engineering approach[3][4].
Sources
[1] Best Applications of Bismuth-Tin Alloys - Belmont Metals https://www.belmontmetals.com/best-applications-of-bismuth-tin-alloys/
[2] Make magnets levitate with bismuth - supermagnete.de https://www.supermagnete.de/eng/Magnet-applications/Levitation-with-Bismuth
[3] Bismuth - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bismuth
[4] Improved rare-earth-free magnets can't be touched - Materials Today https://www.materialstoday.com/metals-alloys/news/improved-rareearthfree-magnets-cant-be-touched/