Abstract: Cobalt-based Ta-containing magnetic target alloy materials are produced in which homogeneity of the magnetic material is improved by eliminating Ta-rich second phases in the microstructure by a process comprising soaking ingots of said alloy from which targets are to be produced at temperatures ranging from 1600° to 2600° F. for periods of 10 minutes to 24 hours prior to hot-rolling, preferably using multiple steps, then hot-rolling at similar temperatures utilizing at least a 3% reduction for pass, and optionally soaking the rolled plates from said rolling step at temperatures ranging from 2000° to 2600° F. for periods of 10 minutes to 24 hours.

Abstract: Cobalt-based Ta-containing magnetic target alloy materials are produced in which homogeneity of the magnetic material is improved by eliminating Ta-rich second phases in the microstructure by a process comprising soaking ingots of said alloy from which targets are to be produced at temperatures ranging from 1600° to 2600° F for periods of 10 minutes to 24 hours prior to hot-rolling, preferably using multiple steps, then hot-rolling at similar temperatures utilizing at least a 3% reduction for pass, and optionally soaking the rolled plates from said rolling step at temperatures ranging from 2000° to 2600°F. for periods of 10 minutes to 24 hours.

Abstract: An ingot of material which is normally too brittle to allow successful rolling and wrought processing is formed so as to have a thickness-to-width ratio of less than about 0.5 and is annealed in a temperature range of 1000° F. to 2500° F. for a preselected time. The ingot is then rolled in a temperature range of 1500° F. to 2500° F. Additional/optional annealing of the resulting rolled plate in a temperature range of 500° F. to 2000° F., or between room temperature and 1500° F., and/or a final annealing between 500° F. and 1500° F., is possible. Sputtering targets are cut out of the rolled plate and used for the manufacture of storage disks.

Abstract: A method for making a magnetic data storage target includes warm-rolling a magnetic alloy sheet at a temperature of less than about 1200.degree. F., optimally followed by annealing. The method results in increased pass-through-flux (PTF) and improved performance in magnetron sputtering applications.