Canada will work with UK companies to develop 3D printed rare earth permanent magnets

Recently, Canadian mineral exploration and development company Mkango Resources Ltd. announced that it has reached a cooperation with British metal company Metalysis Limited. Under the cooperation agreement, the two companies will seek to develop and commercialize rare earth metal alloys for use in 3D printed permanent magnets.

It is understood that the 3D printed permanent magnets planned by the two companies will be used to manufacture electric vehicles and other green consumer products. Rare earth permanent magnets are an important part of many modern products, from hard drives to earphones to wind turbines.

Just as ORNL's 3D printed permanent magnets, additive manufacturing allows the magnets to be more ecological (reusing the remaining magnetic metal powder), a wider range of forms and structures. 3D printed permanent magnets even have the potential to go beyond traditionally manufactured magnets (as evidenced by Oak Ridge National Laboratory).

According to an agreement signed by the two companies, Mkango and Metalysis will combine the performance characteristics of their respective rare earth magnets with the solid state process of manufacturing high quality metal powders. It has been reported that the metallization solid state process can produce a "high margin" from the production of metal powder, which can be applied to industrial metal 3D printing.

The goal of the collaboration between the two companies is to establish a joint research and development program to open up some business possibilities. At present, China is the leading company in the rare earth permanent magnet industry, so Mkango is positioned to become one of the leading rare earth companies outside China.