Technology:
TDK developed a rare earth-free
highly heat resistant magnet for the first time in the world. The new magnet
does not deteriorate its property even at such as high temperature as 130
degrees centigrade. The company succeeded in eliminating the necessity of dysprosium
that is very expensive because of limited source of supply: Dysprosium was close
to 3,000 dollars per kilogram in 2011 because China is virtually the only
source of supply. It improved the structure of materials and heat treatment
process, and thereby it successfully made the new product entirely without dysprosium.
Because the existing product can stand the heat up to 90 degrees centigrade, it
can only be used for motors of hard disc drive. But the new product can be
applied to electric power steering of vehicles because it does not deteriorate the
property of magnet even at 130 degrees centigrade. The company already started the
commercial production for several tons per month.
The market of magnets for industrial
purposes is estimated at 100 billion yen worldwide, and Japanese companies,
such as TDK, Hitachi Metals, and Shin-Etsu Chemical, have strong presence in
the world market. Magnet manufacturers are actively involved in developing magnet
with increased heat resistance. A magnet that can stand the heat up to 180
degrees centigrade can be used for motors of electric vehicles.
The world of TDK products
TDK's advanced techology for HDD heads
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