6. Conclusion and outlook

The ideal magnet would combine the high magnetization and Curie point of alnico, the chemical stability and low cost of ferrites, the high coercivity of Sm-Co and, combined with high magnetization and demagnetization resistance, the very high specific energy of Nd-Fe-B alloys. With little hope of discovering a new magnetic phase capable of combining all these optimized characteristics, the current trend is to seek to improve and adapt the necessary properties to the specific needs of given applications.

Rare-earth materials, in particular Nd-Fe-B magnets, offer the greatest potential for innovation. There are two main avenues for progress [14] :

• on the one hand, optimization of the intrinsic properties of existing phases, with a view to improving temperature...