Neodymium-Iron-Boron Magnet
Why in News?
On March 20, 2026, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) inaugurated a state-of-the-art pilot plant at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) in Hyderabad.
About
- Novel Technology: The plant utilizes the New Pressless Process (NPLP), a cutting-edge manufacturing approach developed by Dr. Masato Sagawa to reduce production complexity and improve efficiency.
- ₹7,280-Crore Incentive Scheme: The Ministry of Heavy Industries has invited global bids to establish integrated manufacturing units with a target capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA).
- Strategic Autonomy: These moves are aimed at breaking China's 90%+ global monopoly on magnet manufacturing, which is a critical chokepoint for green energy and defence sectors.
- A tetragonal crystal structure primarily made of Neodymium (Nd), Iron (Fe), and Boron (B).
Types
- Sintered: The most powerful and widely used variant.
- Bonded: Offers better mechanical strength and flexible shapes but lower magnetic force.
- Hot-pressed: Achieves high density and performance without heavy rare earth additives.
Critical Applications
- Green Energy: Essential for high-efficiency Electric Vehicle (EV) traction motors and wind turbine generators.
- Electronics: Powers hard drives, smartphones, and high-fidelity audio equipment.
- Industrial/Defence: Used in precision robotics, missile guidance systems, and MRI machines.
Key Challenges
- Corrosion: Highly susceptible to oxidation; typically require protective coatings like Nickel-Copper-Nickel.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Standard grades lose magnetism at high temperatures, requiring additives like Dysprosium for thermal stability.
- Market Growth: The global market is projected to grow from roughly $26.45 billion in 2025 to over $28 billion by late 2026.
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