A new method of nitrogenation of RETM alloys via chemical reaction with sodium azide as an oxygen-free nitrogen source

Y 2 Fe 17 and other REFebased compounds have been successfully nitrogenated by heating mixtures of powdered alloy with sodium azide at temperatures between 300 and 450°C. The high nitrogenation power of NaN 3 seems to come from its low decomposition temperature and an improved nitrogen diffusion rate through the particle surfaces cleaned by sodium.