Permanent magnets — materials that create their own persistent magnetic field — are frequently used in most types of electronics, turbines, engines and motors. Currently, nearly all powerful permanent magnets require rare-earth elements (REEs), such as neodymium or samarium. A new permanent-magnetic material eliminates the need for REEs and their associated environmental and supply-chain risks, instead relying on abundant substances like iron and nitrogen. Through their Clean Earth Magnet® technology, Niron Magnetics (Minneapolis, Minn.; www.nironmagnetics.com) has demonstrated its novel magnet-production technology at the pilot scale, and plans to open a full-scale manufacturing facility in Sartell, Minn., which will significantly scale up production.
Source: Niron Magnetics
“The process begins with the creation of precisely engineered iron oxide nanoparticles, which undergo a specialized reduction process that results in iron nitride nanoparticles. The final step involves aligning the magnetic particles and compacting them under high pressure to form dense permanent magnets,” explains Frank Johnson, CTO of Niron Magnetics.
Currently, the company operates out of their commercial pilot plant in Minneapolis, which has a capacity of 5 tons/yr of REE-free magnets, but the new plant is expected to produce 1,500 tons/yr by 2026. “Companies like General Motors, Volvo, Samsung and Stellantis have invested in Niron’s technology. These partnerships are extremely important for developing applications that leverage iron nitride’s unique magnetic properties, enabling manufacturers to reduce their reliance on rare-earth materials while maintaining high performance standards,” adds Jonathan Rowntree, CEO of Niron Magnetics.
Additionally, says Rowntree, Niron’s magnets are made with iron nitride, which “boasts the highest theoretical magnetization of any known material,” while also providing superior thermal stability when compared to traditional rare-earth-based magnets.