Diagnostic of Structural Changes in Ferromagnetic Powders during Milling in Beater Mill

Abstract

Problem of obtaining fine powders of strontium hexa-ferrite is actual because of its wide applications. The paper provides the results of studies of particle size distribution and structural characteristic changes of strontium hexa-ferrite powder (SrFe12O19) during milling in impact mill and after its consequent annealing. Mechanical processing of coarse particulate system was carried out in the mill for 120 minutes without electromagnetic effect and with creation of magneto fluidized bed, formed by perpendicular constant and alternating magnetic field with induction gradient of 210 mT/m, providing reciprocating motion of particles and aggregates with sizes of 3 – 4 mm. It was shown that milling of coarse strontium hexa-ferrite with average particle size 1558.5 μm and the most possible size 1500 μm in magneto fluidized bed allowed to intensify milling process and to provide a significant increase of powder particle sizes uniformity. It was found out, that milling in magneto fluidized bed leads to a great decrease of coherent scattering regions sizes and an increase of lattice micro-deformations and relative dislocation density. Consequent annealing of the powder for 2 hours at 850°C refined structural characteristics significantly. The carried out research allows to choose the optimal milling duration for solution of practical problems of powder metallurgy.