Development of High-Temperature Resistant Permanent Magnets Using Advanced Manufacturing

Fast-cooled sodium reactors operate at temperatures of up to 650 C. At these high temperatures additional challenges are presented to sensor and pump technology. Various sensors and pumps rely on magnets which are subject to a loss of their magnetic properties at high-temperatures. Electromagnets have previously been used in such applications due to their high coercivity. However, the use of electromagnets necessitates additional penetrations for electrical current sources into the reactor, which poses safety and efficiency concerns. Therefore, it is crucial to develop components capable of maintaining their magnetic properties under these extreme conditions. Such components are often complex and challenging to manufacture using traditional methods. Because of its abilities to fabricate complex parts, additive manufacturing (AM) proves promising for this application. Considering the challenges of both the material and manufacturing process, it is essential to develop a novel advanced manufacturing process for the production of high-temperature resistant permanent magnets