Recycling Bonded Nd–Fe–B Magnet Wastes: Recycle, Repreparation, and Life Cycle Assessment

At present, the research on the recycling of bonded Nd–Fe–B magnet wastes is primarily conducted at the laboratory level. This study presents the kilogram-scale recycling of waste bonded Nd–Fe–B magnets using a NaOH–ethylene glycol solution. The impact of reaction temperature and catalyst concentration on the recycling process at this scale was investigated, and regenerated bonded Nd–Fe–B magnets were prepared from recycled magnetic powders. The magnetic properties of the recycled powders and regenerated magnets closely resembled those of the original products. Additionally, a life cycle assessment was conducted to analyze the production and recycling process of bonded Nd–Fe–B magnetic powders, revealing lower environmental impacts for the recycling process compared to production. Therefore, successful scale-up recycling through a NaOH–ethylene glycol solution demonstrates potential commercial and environmental opportunities for bonded Nd–Fe–B magnet waste.