16 December 2025

Dysprosium: balancing heat resistance and magnetic strength

Key insights from this briefing

What is the trade-off when dysprosium is added to NdFeB magnets?

Dysprosium increases magnetocrystalline anisotropy and coercivity, helping magnets resist demagnetisation at temperatures above 180°C. The trade-off is a modest reduction in remanence, so manufacturers use techniques such as grain boundary diffusion to concentrate dysprosium where it provides the most thermal benefit.

Why is dysprosium also relevant to nuclear technology?

Dysprosium has a high thermal-neutron absorption cross-section. Its oxide can therefore be used in cermet materials for reactor control rods, where it acts as a neutron absorber to help regulate fission.

Excerpt from this briefing's Industry Insight

Dysprosium acts as a thermal anchor in high-performance NdFeB permanent magnets. By substituting for a small share of neodymium in the crystal lattice, dysprosium increases magnetocrystalline anisotropy and improves resistance to demagnetisation at temperatures that can exceed 180°C. This is particularly important in EV traction motors, wind turbines and other equipment exposed to heat and strong reverse magnetic fields. The application explains why a relatively small amount of dysprosium can be strategically critical to the durability of an entire motor system.

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