Abstract: A switch is disclosed comprising two sets of rod-shaped fixed electrodes formed of a magnetic material and one cylindrical moving electrode formed of a permanent magnet, each set of the fixed electrodes being fixed to the respective end of a cylindrical vessel so that the ends of each set of the fixed electrodes face the ends of the other set of the fixed electrodes with the moving electrode capable of reciprocating between the ends of the two sets of fixed electrodes inside the cylindrical vessel. The moving electrode is comprised of at least one adhesive layer of a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, nickel, copper and alloys thereof on the surface of the permanent magnet, and at least one contact layer of a metal selected from the group consisting of rhodium, wolfram, rhenium, ruthenium and alloys thereof, silver-wolfram, gold-chromium on the adhesive layer of metal. At least the permanent magnet of the moving electrode and the adhesive layer of metal are thermally diffused with each other.

Abstract: Electrical contacts are produced by processes comprising (1) forming on a metallic body a first layer of low melting metal(s) and (2) forming on the first layer a second layer of high melting metal(s). The thus produced contacts possess prolonged life, approximately 10 times that of conventional contacts when they are operated as working contact.

Abstract: Semi-hard magnetic materials exhibiting an excellent square hysteresis loop are prepared by the following steps. An alloy material consisting essentially, by weight, of 73-93% Co, 1-5%Nb and the balance Fe is subjected to process annealing at not lower than 900.degree. C and cold working at a reduction of area of not less than 75% and then is subjected to any combination treatment involving one or more stress relief annealings at a temperature in the range 500.degree.-700.degree. C for a short period of time such that no intermetallic compound precipitates in said alloy followed by cooling to the ambient temperature, and one or more ageing treatments of said cooled material at a temperature in the range 600.degree.-900.degree. C for a considerably longer time such that an intermetallic compound does precipitate in said alloy.

Abstract: A semi-hard magnetic material characterized by a high coercive force (Hc), i.e. 20-50 Oe, can be produced by the disclosed process.In accordance with the process, an alloy consisting of 73 to 93% Co and 3 to 7% Nb, and the balance being iron is worked into a suitable form, solution treated, cold worked at a reduction of area not lower than 75% and aged. Said alloy contains niobium in a greater amount than the known alloy for the same application in order to enhance the coercive force. With the increase in the content of niobium, however, the cold workability of the alloy deteriorates. In order to overcome this disadvantage, the Inventors provide particular conditions for the solution treatment. The solution treatment consists of heating the alloy to a temperature not lower than 1000.degree.C and cooling it to room temperature. During the cooling, quenching of the alloy should be started at 800.degree.C or higher and continued to a temperature of 500.degree.C or less.

Abstract: A semi-hard magnetic alloy is disclosed consisting essentially of 15 to 30% of Ni, 35 to 52% of Fe, 1 to 5% of Nb and the balance cobalt. This alloy possesses a coercive force (Hc) of 10 to 50 Oe, a magnetic flux density (B.sub.100) of 10 to 17.5 KG., a squareness ratio (Br/B.sub.100) of not less than 0.70 and a fullness ratio of not less than approximately 0.70. The alloy material is also characterized by a good plastic workability.