Fig. 3: Multiscale phase and elemental analysis of the fully consolidated top region.

a Magnified BSE image showing the nucleation of SmCo(5-x) (shown by red arrows) and Sm2O3 phases (shown by black arrows) around the Sm2Co7 grain in the consolidated sample, note that the APT analysis was performed at the interior of SmCo5 phase and at the boundary of Sm2Co7 phase which are highlighted by yellow and blue colors. b HAADF image of the consolidated sample and corresponding EDS maps of Co, Sm and O elements. c APT analysis showing uniform chemical distribution in the grain interior of SmCo5 phase and (d) the presence of three distinct phases at the boundary of Sm2Co7 phase. e, f Chemical distribution of different elements along the cylinder indicated in (d).