Abstract: Magnetic material of the Sm-Fe-N system exhibits a crystalline hard magnetic phase with a Th.sub.2 Zn.sub.17 crystalline structure wherein N atoms are incorporated in the crystalline lattice. A preliminary product having a dual component Sm.sub.2 Fe.sub.17 phase is produced by mechanical alloying followed by thermal treatment to achieve the desired microstructure. The preliminary product is heated in a nitrous atmosphere, as a result of which, the hard magnetic phase is formed. The preliminary product may also be obtained by a rapid-quenching technique.

Abstract: A shaped body of anisotropic magnetic material based on the Sm-Fe-N system which has a crystalline, hard magnetic phase with a Th.sub.2 Zn.sub.17 crystal structure, wherein N atoms are incorporated in the crystal lattice, is produced by compacting a powder Sm-Fe preliminary product with an Sm-Fe phase having a magnetically isotropic structure, followed by hot-shaping to provide an intermediate product with a Sm-Fe phase having a magnetically anisotropic structure, followed by heat treating the intermediate product in a nitrogen atmosphere to provide a Sm-Fe-N hard magnetic phase.

Abstract: Magnet material of the Sm-Fe-N system having a crystalline, hard magentic phase with a Th.sub.2 Zn.sub.17 crystal structure, wherein N atoms are incorporated into the crystal lattice, is produced. First a preliminary product is formed by sintering a Sm-Fe powder which is oriented in a magnetic field to provide a sintered body having a two-component Sm-Fe phase. The sintered body is heat treated in a nitrogen atmosphere to form the Sm-Fe-N hard magnetic phase. The nitrogen atomosphere may advantageously be reactive nitrogen.