Abstract: A one-piece part based on magnetocaloric material comprising an alloy comprising iron and silicon and a lanthanide, comprises a base in a first plane defined by a first and second direction and N unitary blades secured to the base; the blades having a first and second dimension in the first and second direction, respectively, and a third dimension in a third direction at right angles to the first and second dimensions; an ith blade being separated from an (i+1)th blade by an ith distance; the ratio between the second dimension and first dimension being at least 10; the ratio between the third dimension and first dimension being at least 6; the first dimension being the same order of magnitude as the distance separating an ith blade from an (i+1)th blade. The magnetocaloric material can be rare-earth alloy or a composite material based on polymer binder and rare-earth alloy.

Abstract: A system for metal powder atomization comprising a refractory lined melting furnace (1) configured to melt metal into a liquid metal bath (6), in which furnace (1) a drain (3) is arranged for draining liquid metal from the bottom of the furnace. The drain (3) is configured to be closed by a stopping member. The system comprises an atomization chamber (2) configured to receive and atomize liquid metal from the melting furnace (1). The system also comprises removal means controllable from the bottom region of the furnace (1) for removing the stopping member without interfering with the surface of the liquid metal bath (6). The removal means and the stopping member are configured such that the stopping member is removable independently of the temperature of the liquid metal bath (6) using the removal means.

Abstract: A one-piece part based on magnetocaloric material comprising an alloy comprising iron and silicon and a lanthanide, comprises a base in a first plane defined by a first and second direction and N unitary blades secured to the base; the blades having a first and second dimension in the first and second direction, respectively, and a third dimension in a third direction at right angles to the first and second dimensions; an ith blade being separated from an (i+1)th blade by an ith distance; the ratio between the second dimension and first dimension being at least 10; the ratio between the third dimension and first dimension being at least 6; the first dimension being the same order of magnitude as the distance separating an ith blade from an (i+1)th blade. The magnetocaloric material can be rare-earth alloy or a composite material based on polymer binder and rare-earth alloy.

Abstract: A system for metal powder atomisation comprising a refractory lined melting furnace (1) configured to melt metal into a liquid metal bath (6), in which furnace (1) a drain (3) is arranged for draining liquid metal from the bottom of the furnace. The drain (3) is configured to be closed by a stopping member. The system comprises an atomisation chamber (2) configured to receive and atomise liquid metal from the melting furnace (1). The system also comprises removal means controllable from the bottom region of the furnace (1) for removing the stopping member without interfering with the surface of the liquid metal bath (6). The removal means and the stopping member are configured such that the stopping member is removable independently of the temperature of the liquid metal bath (6) using the removal means.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetocaloric element including the following steps: a powder of a magnetocaloric alloy with composition: La1-x(Ce,Pr)x((Fe1-z-vMnzCov)1-ySiy)wXn is prepared, wherein: X is one or several elements selected from H, C, N and B; x=0 to 0.5; y=0.05 to 0.2; z=0 to 0.15; v=0 to 0.15; w=12 to 16; n=0 to 3.5; the remainder being impurities, with a maximum content of 4% by weight, preferably a maximum content of 2% by weight, of rare earths other than La, Ce and Pr, and a maximum content of 2% by weight, for the other impurities, the preparation of the powder including the following steps: a liquid alloy (4) is elaborated; it is solidified in the form of a powder of substantially spherical particles (14) with an average diameter comprised between 10 and 100 ?m by atomization of a jet (8) by means of an inert gas; said powder (14) is heat-treated in order to give it at least 70% by weight of a structure of the NaZn13 type by heating up to a temperature from 900 to 1,200° C.