APPARATUS FOR SUBJECTING RARE EARTH ALLOY TO HYDROGENATION PROCESS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING RARE EARTH SINTERED MAGNET USING THE APPARATUS

摘要

An apparatus for subjecting a rare earth alloy block to a hydrogenation process includes a casing, gas inlet and outlet ports, a member arranged to produce a gaseous flow, and a windbreak plate. The casing defines an inner space for receiving a container. The container includes an upper opening and stores the rare earth alloy block therein. A hydrogen gas and an inert gas are introduced into the inner space through the gas inlet port, and are exhausted from the inner space through the gas outlet port. The gaseous flow is produced by a fan, for example, in the inner space. The windbreak plate is disposed upstream with respect to the gaseous flow that has been produced inside the inner space. Also, the windbreak plate reduces a flow rate of the gaseous flow that has been produced near the upper opening of the container.