Synthesis of R2 Fe14 B Single Crystals

ABSTRACTSingle crystals of R2 Fe14 B weighing 5 to 15 g were grown from a liquid melt by tri-arc and levitation Czochralski methods. The arc method was used for the growth of smaller size crystals from 5 to 7 g, and the levitation method was used for the growth of larger sizes, from 10 to 15 g. Crystals of (R1)2 –x(R2)xFe14 B could also be grown with isomorphous replacement of rare earth atoms. The starting alloy composition for the crystal growth process was chosen based on solidification microstructure. In this paper we discuss the solidification microstructure, isomorphous replacement, seeding and their interactions with the crystal growth processes and crystal quality.