An R-T-B based permanent magnet includes R-T-B based compounds as main-phase crystal grains. R is a rare earth element. T is iron group element(s) essentially including Fe or Fe and Co. B is boron. A two-grain boundary is contained between the two adjacent main-phase crystal grains. An average grain size of the main-phase crystal grains is 0.9 μm or more and 2.8 μm or less. A thickness of the two-grain boundary is 5 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

An R-T-B based permanent magnet includes R-T-B based compounds as main-phase crystal grains. R is a rare earth element. T is iron group element(s) essentially including Fe or Fe and Co. B is boron. A two-grain boundary is contained between the two adjacent main-phase crystal grains. An average grain size of the main-phase crystal grains is 0.9 μm or more and 2.8 μm or less. A thickness of the two-grain boundary is 5 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

An R-T-B based permanent magnet includes main phase grains composed of R.sub.2T.sub.14B type compound. R is a rare earth element. T is iron group element(s) essentially including Fe or Fe and Co. B is boron. An average grain size of the main phase grains is 0.8 μm to 2.8 μm. The R-T-B based permanent magnet contains at least C and Ga in addition to R, T, and B. B is contained at 0.71 mass % to 0.86 mass %. C is contained at 0.13 mass % to 0.34 mass %. Ga is contained at 0.40 mass % to 1.80 mass %. A formula (1) of 0.14≦[C]/([B]+[C])≦0.30 is satisfied, where [B] is a B content represented by atom %, and [C] is a C content represented by atom %.

An R-T-B based permanent magnet includes main phase grains composed of R.sub.2T.sub.14B type compound. R is a rare earth element. T is iron group element(s) essentially including Fe or Fe and Co. B is boron. An average grain size of the main phase grains is 0.8 μm to 2.8 μm. The R-T-B based permanent magnet contains at least C and Ga in addition to R, T, and B. B is contained at 0.71 mass % to 0.86 mass %. C is contained at 0.13 mass % to 0.34 mass %. Ga is contained at 0.40 mass % to 1.80 mass %. A formula (1) of 0.14≦[C]/([B]+[C])≦0.30 is satisfied, where [B] is a B content represented by atom %, and [C] is a C content represented by atom %.

This disclosure is directed to sintered bodies comprising grains and a grain boundary composition, wherein: (a) the grains comprise a composition substantially represented by a formula G.sub.2M.sub.14B, where G is Nd, Dy, Pr, Tb, or a combination thereof, and M is Co, Fe, Ni, or a combination thereof, wherein the grains are optionally doped with one or more rare earth elements; and (b) the grain boundary composition is an alloy composition substantially represented by the formula: Nd.sub.8.5-12.5Dy.sub.35-45Co.sub.32-41Cu.sub.3-6.5Fe.sub.1.5-5, wherein the subscript values are atom percent relative to the total composition of the the alloy composition. Corresponding populations of particles are also disclosed

This disclosure is directed to sintered bodies comprising grains and a grain boundary composition, wherein: (a) the grains comprise a composition substantially represented by a formula G.sub.2M.sub.14B, where G is Nd, Dy, Pr, Tb, or a combination thereof, and M is Co, Fe, Ni, or a combination thereof, wherein the grains are optionally doped with one or more rare earth elements; and (b) the grain boundary composition is an alloy composition substantially represented by the formula: Nd.sub.8.5-12.5Dy.sub.35-45Co.sub.32-41Cu.sub.3-6.5Fe.sub.1.5-5, wherein the subscript values are atom percent relative to the total composition of the the alloy composition. Corresponding populations of particles are also disclosed

An iron powder and method of making an iron powder. The method includes a step of neutralizing an acidic aqueous solution containing a trivalent iron ion and a phosphorus-containing ion, with an alkali aqueous solution, so as to provide a slurry of a precipitate of a hydrated oxide, or a step of adding a phosphorus-containing ion to a slurry containing a precipitate of a hydrated oxide obtained by neutralizing an acidic aqueous solution containing a trivalent iron ion with an alkali aqueous solution. A silane compound is added to the slurry so as to coat a hydrolysate of the silane compound on the precipitate of the hydrated oxide. The precipitate of the hydrated oxide after coating is recovered through solid-liquid separation, the recovered precipitate is heated to provide iron particles coated with a silicon oxide, and a part or the whole of the silicon oxide coating is dissolved and removed.

An iron powder and method of making an iron powder. The method includes a step of neutralizing an acidic aqueous solution containing a trivalent iron ion and a phosphorus-containing ion, with an alkali aqueous solution, so as to provide a slurry of a precipitate of a hydrated oxide, or a step of adding a phosphorus-containing ion to a slurry containing a precipitate of a hydrated oxide obtained by neutralizing an acidic aqueous solution containing a trivalent iron ion with an alkali aqueous solution. A silane compound is added to the slurry so as to coat a hydrolysate of the silane compound on the precipitate of the hydrated oxide. The precipitate of the hydrated oxide after coating is recovered through solid-liquid separation, the recovered precipitate is heated to provide iron particles coated with a silicon oxide, and a part or the whole of the silicon oxide coating is dissolved and removed.

A method for producing a nanocrystalline rare earth magnet having a grain and a grain boundary phase includes: quenching a melt of a rare earth magnet composition to form a quenched thin ribbon having a nanocrystalline structure; sintering the quenched thin ribbon to obtain a sintered body; heat treating the sintered body at a temperature which is higher than a lowest temperature in a first temperature range where the grain boundary phase diffuses or flows, and which is lower than a lowest temperature in a second temperature range where the grain becomes coarse; and quenching the heat treated sintered body to 200° C. or less at a cooling speed of 50° C./min or more.

A method for producing a nanocrystalline rare earth magnet having a grain and a grain boundary phase includes: quenching a melt of a rare earth magnet composition to form a quenched thin ribbon having a nanocrystalline structure; sintering the quenched thin ribbon to obtain a sintered body; heat treating the sintered body at a temperature which is higher than a lowest temperature in a first temperature range where the grain boundary phase diffuses or flows, and which is lower than a lowest temperature in a second temperature range where the grain becomes coarse; and quenching the heat treated sintered body to 200° C. or less at a cooling speed of 50° C./min or more.