Abstract: Provided are non-magnetic nickel powders and a method for preparing the same. The nickel powders have non-magnetic property and a HCP crystal structure. The method include (a) dispersing nickel powders with a FCC crystal structure in an organic solvent to prepare a starting material dispersion, and (b) heating the starting material dispersion to transform the nickel powders with the FCC crystal structure to the nickel powders with the HCP crystal structure. The nickel powders do not exhibit magnetic agglomeration phenomenon. Therefore, the pastes for inner electrode formation in various electronic devices, which contain the nickel powders of the present invention, can keep the well-dispersed state. Also, inner electrodes made of the nickel powders can have a low impedance value even at high frequency band.

Abstract: An alloy is used for production of magnetic refrigeration material particles. The alloy contains La in a range of 4 to 15 atomic %, Fe in a range of 60 to 93 atomic %, Si in a range of 3.5 to 23.5 atomic % and at lease one element M selected from B and Ti in a range of 0.5 to 1.5 atomic %. The alloy includes a main phase containing Fe as a main component element and Si, and a subphase containing La as a main component element and Si. The main phase has a bcc crystal structure and an average grain diameter of 20 ?m or less.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a hydrogen-storage based electrode comprises treating a powder comprising at least one metal hydride with a first solution. The first solution comprises a first alkaline base and a first reducing agent. The method further comprises fabricating the electrode using the powder and treating the electrode with a second solution comprising a second alkaline base and a second reducing agent.

Abstract: In contrast to current industrial practice where alloying powders are added to starting powder metallurgy compositions either as powder mixtures or fully prealloyed powders, the present invention posits a diffusion bonded nickel-copper precursor additive mixture for direct one step addition to the starting powder metallurgy master blend composition. Segregation and dusting are substantially reduced and the mechanical properties of the resultant compact are improved.

Abstract: A metallic nickel powder exhibits superior oxidation behavior and sintering behavior in a process for production of a multilayer ceramic capacitor, and as a result, can prevent delamination, a process for production of the metallic powder is provided. The metallic nickel powder is treated with a carbonic acid water solution. The metallic nickel powder has an average particle diameter of not more than 1.0 ?m, oxygen content in a range of from 0.3 to 2.0 wt %, and oxide layer having a thickness in a range of from 2 to 10 nm over the entire surface. In the process for production of the metallic nickel powder, the powder is treated with a carbonic acid water solution and is heated in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: Continuous, conducting metal patterns can be formed from metal nanoparticle containing films by exposure to radiation (FIG. 1). The metal patterns can be one, two, or three dimensional and have high resolution resulting in feature sizes in the order of micron down to nanometers. Compositions containing the nanoparticles coated with a ligand and further including a dye, a metal salt, and either a matrix or an optional sacrificial donor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and product derived therefrom for consolidating nanoparticles to form particles in a micrometric size distribution. The method preserves the nanoparticles with the resultant micrometric particles. The primary processing operation is milling.

Abstract: Lead-free solder metal powder material including two or more metals capable of forming an intermetallic compound and having an unreacted phase and an amorphous phase. Further, a lead-free solder paste is prepared by mixing the powder material with a soldering flux. The powder material is preferably formed using a mechanical milling process.

Abstract: Nitrided valve metals are described, such as nitrided tantalum and nitrided niobium. The nitrided valve metals preferably have improved flow properties, higher Scott Densities, and/or improved pore size distribution which leads to improved physical properties of the valve metal and improved electrical properties once the valve metal is formed into a capacitor anode. Processes for preparing a nitrided valve metal are further described and involve nitriding the valve metal at a sufficient temperature and pressure during a heat treatment that is prior to the deoxidation step. Capacitor anodes and other products incorporating the valve metals of the present invention are further described.

Abstract: A method of producing metal fibers including melting a mixture of at least a fiber metal and a matrix metal, cooling the mixture to form a bulk matrix comprising at least a fiber phase and a matrix phase and removing at least a substantial portion of the matrix phase from the fiber phase. Additionally, the method may include deforming the bulk matrix. In certain embodiments, the fiber metal may be at least one of niobium, a niobium alloy, tantalum and a tantalum alloy and the matrix metal may be at least one of copper and a copper alloy. The substantial portion of the matrix phase may be removed, in certain embodiments, by dissolving of the matrix phase in a suitable mineral acid, such as, but not limited to, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A negative electrode of a battery, chiefly includes hydrogen absorption alloy particles each having a surface layer. The alloy particles satisfy R2/R1?0.004 and 5 ?m?R1?20 ?m, or preferably 5 ?m?R1?12.5 ?m, where R1 is a half of a median diameter of the particles and R2 is thickness of the surface layers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayer material including a back metal and a metal plate made from a metal differing from the back metal is disclosed. The method includes heating powder of the metal formed into the metal plate in a reducing atmosphere so that an oxide on a surface of the metal powder is deoxidized, and spreading the deoxidized metal powder onto the back metal and irradiating laser beam having an energy density of 10 to 100 kW/cm2 onto the metal powder spread on the back metal so that the metal powder is partially heated to be melted, while the laser beam is moved relative to the spread metal powder, and quenching the melted part of the metal powder at an underside of the back metal so that the melted part is rapidly solidified, whereupon the multilayer material has a dendritic structure in which the metal plate extends substantially vertically from a surface of the back metal, and the dendritic structure has a crystal grain size equal to or smaller than 0.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of improving the properties of a hydrogen storage alloy powder for a negative electrode of a rechargeable nickel hydride battery. The method comprises the steps of hydriding a powdered alloy starting material, oxidizing the obtained hydride alloy powder and washing the oxidized powder. The invention also concerns the obtained powder.

Abstract: Provided are non-magnetic nickel powders and a method for preparing the same. The nickel powders have non-magnetic property and a HCP crystal structure. The method include (a) dispersing nickel powders with a FCC crystal structure in an organic solvent to prepare a starting material dispersion, and (b) heating the starting material dispersion to transform the nickel powders with the FCC crystal structure to the nickel powders with the HCP crystal structure. The nickel powders do not exhibit magnetic agglomeration phenomenon. Therefore, the pastes for inner electrode formation in various electronic devices, which contain the nickel powders of the present invention, can keep the well-dispersed state. Also, inner electrodes made of the nickel powders can have a low impedance value even at high frequency band.

Abstract: When a chromium-iron-based alloy, preferably a chromium-iron-based alloy having a chromium content of about 60 to about 95 mass % is subjected to heat treatment at about 500 to about 1,300° C., and subsequently to grinding treatment by use of an impact mill, grindability of the chromium-iron-based alloy is improved, and running cost can be reduced. In addition, the resultant powdery thermal spraying material exhibits stable fluidity during spray coating, and thus a uniform coating can be formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogen storage alloys, methods for producing the same, and anodes produced with such alloys for nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries. The alloys are useful as electrode materials for nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries, excellent, when used as anode materials, in corrosion resistance or activity such as initial activity and high rate discharge performance, of low cost compared to the conventional alloys with a higher Co content, and recyclable. The alloys are of a composition represented by the formula (1), and has a substantially single phase structure, and the crystals thereof have an average long axis diameter of 30 to 160 &mgr;m, or not smaller than 5 &mgr;m and smaller than 30 &mgr;m. The present anodes for rechargeable batteries contain at least one of these hydrogen storage alloys.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) and process for treating particulate material or powder (33) of a size capable of being fluidized in a retort (31) mounted for rotation on a pair of end axles (18, 41). Retort (31) is mounted on a tilt frame (5) for tilting movement in a vertical plane. Gas conduits (18A, 18B) are mounted within an axle (18) for the supply and exhaust of gas for retort (31). A conduit (55) mounted within the other axle (41) permits particulate material to be passed into or out of the retort (31) as shown in FIG. 1B. A removable injection assembly (90, FIG. 10) is utilized for the injection of additional particulate material. A removable sampling assembly (95, FIG. 11) is utilized for removing a sample of the particulate material from the retort (31). As the retort (31) is rotated, particles of the particulate material are constantly intermingled with each other and the walls of the retort (31). Microwave energy as shown in FIGS. 13-14 may be utilized to heat or dry materials within the retort (31).

Abstract: Permanent magnet for voice coil actuator motors used to actuate head-arm assemblies in small form disk drives are produced from a dispersion of prealloyed rare earth magnetic particles in a thermoplastic binder. Upon shaping of green parts the magnetic axis of the particles is aligned with the field lines of a magnetic field. Following extraction of the binder the green parts are sintered to net shape. Improved magnetic properties, smaller dimensions, better than tolerances and 100% material utilization are claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a corrosion-resistant blasting agent (>60 HRC) with sharp edges based on an Fe—Cr—C alloy. A granulate consisting of an iron-chromium-carbon alloy is hardened in said process to >60 HRC by subjecting it to a heat treatment at above 900° Celsius under a reducing atmosphere. An oxide-free, hard material is obtained in this way that can be crushed into grains with sharp edges. The result is a blasting agent with excellent properties for the surface treatment of workpieces consisting of corrosion-resistant materials such as, for example stainless steel, nonferrous metals and natural stone.

Abstract: In a metalliferous storage material for hydrogen a metal oxide is provided in or on the surface of the metalliferous materialas a catalyst for the hydrogenation or dehydrogenation of the metalliferous storage material.

Abstract: A relatively high carbon, water-atomized, steel shot is softened via annealing to render it suitable for ballistic use. The annealing preferably includes decarburization from a surface layer or throughout and preferably provides the shot with a surface Knoop hardness of less than 250.

Abstract: Thermoelectric material of (Bi, Sb)(Te, Se) system is produced through a liquid quenching method and an extrusion from a die unit having an inlet portion and an outlet portion crossing each other at 30-150 degrees so that the crystal grains have an average grain size equal to or less than 30 microns and (001) planes mostly oriented in parallel to a direction in which electric current to flow, thereby achieving the figure of merit equal to or greater than 3.0×10−3/K.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits to form water swellable gel coatings, preferably lubricious coatings, on substrates, and coated substrates thus formed. The coatings contain one or more antimicrobial metals formed with atomic disorder, together with one or more antimicrobial metals formed with atomic disorder such that the coatings provide an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect when wet. The invention also provides a method to produce metal powders by sputtering a coating onto a moving surface, and then scraping the coating with one or more scrapers to produce the metal powder. The method is particularly useful for producing large amounts of nanocrystalline antimicrobial metal powders formed with atomic disorder, useful in the water swellable gel coatings of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alkaline storage battery excellent in high-rate charge and discharge characteristics, and a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode suitable for the battery and a method for producing the same. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy is preferably produced by wet grinding in water a hydrogen-absorbing alloy having at least one rare earth element, nickel and at least one transition metal element, treating the resulting alloy powders in an aqueous alkali solution, and then consecutively treating the powders in an acidic aqueous solution. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy powders have a structure of a nickel-condensed layer being exposed and have many pores.

Abstract: A niobium powder comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, cerium, neodymium, titanium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, zinc, silicon, germanium, tin, phosphorus, arsenic, bismuth, rubidium, cesium, magnesium, strontium, barium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, praseodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, hafnium, vanadium, osmium, iridium, platinum, gold, cadmium, mercury, lead, selenium and tellurium; a sintered body of the niobium powder; and a capacitor comprising a sintered body as one electrode, a dielectric material formed on the surface of the sintered body, and counter electrode provided on the dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayer material including a back metal and a metal plate made from a metal differing from the back metal is disclosed. The method includes heating powder of the metal formed into the metal plate in a reducing atmosphere so that an oxide on a surface of the metal powder is deoxidized, and spreading the deoxidized metal powder onto the back metal and irradiating laser beam having an energy density of 10 to 100 kW/cm2 onto the metal powder spread on the back metal so that the metal powder is partially heated to be melted, while the laser beam is moved relative to the spread metal powder, and quenching the melted part of the metal powder at an underside of the back metal so that the melted part is rapidly solidified, whereupon the multilayer material has a dendritic structure in which the metal plate extends substantially vertically from a surface of the back metal, and the dendritic structure has a crystal grain size equal to or smaller than 0.

Abstract: A spray powder to be used for forming a coating, which comprises from 80 to 97 wt %, based on the total weight, of a cermet powder and from 3 to 20 wt %, based on the total weight, of a metal powder, wherein the metal powder comprises Cr and Ni in a total amount of at least 90 wt %, based on the total weight of the metal powder, and the content of Cr is from 0 to 55 wt %, based on the total weight of the metal powder.

Abstract: A niobium or tantalum powder of the present invention comprises aggregates in which primary particles of niobium or tantalum are aggregated, and have a pore distribution having a peak in the range from 1 to 20 &mgr;m as measured by mercury porosimetry. That is, the niobium or tantalum powder of the present invention comprises aggregates having large pores, which connect with vacancies between the primary particles and facilitate the permeation of an electrolyte over the entirety of the inside of each aggregate. Accordingly, a solid electrolytic capacitor comprising an anode electrode made of the niobium or tantalum powder has high capacity and also a low ESR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of surface treatment of metallic materials, more particularly, to a method of the surface self-nanocrystallization of metallic materials by the bombarding of supersonic fine particles. The method comprises the step of bombarding the surface of metallic substrate material with fine particles at supersonic speed of 300-1200 m/s carried by a compressed gas, which is ejected from a nozzle. The present method can be used for the surface self-nanocrystallization of metallic parts with a complicated structure or a large area, and the nanometer layer obtained is homogeneous. In addition, it can be operated in a simple way with low energy consumption, low cost, high efficiency of production and high surface nanocrystallization rate of from 1 cm2 to 10 cm2/min.

Abstract: A method of producing a hydrogen storage alloy, for use in alkaline storage batteries, includes two steps. A first step involves preparing alloy particles having a CaCu5-type crystal structure and the compositional formula MmNixCoyMnzM1−z, wherein M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu), 3.0≦x≦5.2, 0≦y≦1.2, 0.1≦z≦0.9, and 4.4≦x+y+z≦5.4. A second step involves immersing the alloy particles in an acid treating solution containing a cobalt compound and a copper compound, each in the amount of 0.1 to 5.0% by weight based on the weight of the alloy particles, and an organic additive to remove oxide films from and to reductively deposit cobalt and copper on a surface of each alloy particle to form a surface region surrounding a bulk region and having a graded composition.

Abstract: A tungsten powder having a powder specific surface of 0.4 m2/g or more is hot-pressed at a temperature of 1,600° C. or more and then subjected to HIP at a temperature of 1,700° C. or more without capsuling, whereby a tungsten target for sputtering is manufactured that has a relative density of 99% or more and an average crystal grain size of 100 &mgr;m or less. This manufacturing method can manufacture, stably at a low cost, a tungsten target having such a high density and fine crystal structure as cannot be attained by the conventional pressure sintering method, and can greatly decrease the number of particle defects on a film produced by using such a target.

Abstract: A method to agglomerate metal particles such as tantalum and niobium powders is described which includes combining a volatilizable or vaporizable liquid with the particles to form wet particles; compacting the wet particles; drying the compacted wet particles to form a cake; and heat treating the cake to form the agglomerated particles. Also described are agglomerated particles obtained by this method and further, particles, preferably tantalum or niobium powder, having a flow rate of at least about 65 mg/sec and/or an improved pore size distribution, and/or a higher Scott Density. Capacitors made from tantalum powder and niobium powder are also described.

Abstract: A thin film of metal or metal compound is produced by preparing an ultrafine particle dispersion liquid by dispersing ultrafine particles at least partly made of metal into a given organic solvent, applying the ultrafine particle dispersion liquid to a substrate, drying the ultrafine particle dispersion liquid to leave metal or metal compound particles on the substrate, heating the metal or metal compound particles to join the metal or metal compound particles, and annealing the metal or metal compound particles into a thin film.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode according to this invention comprises the steps of: dissolving a particle surface of said hydrogen-absorbing alloy by a surface-treatment solution; and washing the hydrogen-absorbing alloy with the particle surface dissolved using an alkaline solution at a temperature of 30° C.˜40° C. The metal ions dissolved by the surface-treatment solution can be completely washed away by the alkaline solution so that they will not be precipitated onto the surface of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy again as the hydroxide.

Abstract: Disclosed are reinforced metal matrix composites and methods of shaping powder materials to form such composites. Articles of manufacture are formed in layers by a laser fabrication process. In the process, powder is melted and cooled to form successive layers of a discontinuously reinforced metal matrix. The matrix exhibits fine grain structure with enhanced properties over the unreinforced metal, including higher tensile modulus, higher strength, and greater hardness. In some preferred embodiments, an in-situ alloy powder, a powder metallurgy blend, or independently provided powders are reinforced with boron and/or carbon to form the composite.

Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode is prepared by reducing an oxide or hydroxide residing on the surface of a hydrogen-absorbing alloy particle while the alloy particle is held in an atmosphere of a hydrogen gas maintained at a temperature where absorbing of a hydrogen gas does not substantially occur; cooling the atmosphere from a temperature where absorbing of the hydrogen gas does not substantially occur to a temperature where the equilibrium hydrogen pressure of the hyrogen-absorbing alloy is equal to the hydrogen pressure in the atmosphere of the hydrogen gas and thereafter vacuum-evacuating and removing the hydrogen gas so that the hydrogen-absorbing alloy particle is cooled to room temperature while the hydrogen gas is exhausted; and thereafter introducing argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, thereby returning the atmosphere to normal atmospheric pressure; and immersing the hydrogen-absorbing alloy particle so prepared in a solution containing an oxidation inhibiting agent.

Abstract: A method of producing high purity, low oxygen content titanium powder utilizes a hydrided titanium powder crushed to desired percentage of particles of not more than a desired size. These hydrided particles are dehydrided by a slow heating process under partial vacuum to draw the hydrogen out of the particles with a minimum of sintering of the particles. The hydrided particles may be initially heated relatively rapidly, over a period of between about two hours and six hours to a temperature of between about 450° C. and 500° C. and then slowly over a period of four to five days to a temperature of between 650° C. and 700° C., all under a partial vacuum, until the hydrogen content of the powder reaches a desired value. The now dehydrided titanium powder is cooled, again crushed if and as necessary to break up any sintered particles, screened, and packaged. The method of the invention minimizes the sintering of the particles during the dehydriding process.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrode alloy powder is disclosed, wherein, to provide an electrode alloy powder capable of yielding an alkaline storage battery excellent in high-rate discharge property, self-discharge property and cycle life, a first step of immersing a starting powder comprising a hydrogen storage alloy containing 20 to 70 wt % of Ni in an aqueous solution containing 30 to 80 wt % of sodium hydroxide at a temperature of 90° C. or higher and a second step of washing with water the powder which has been subjected to the first step are conducted.

Abstract: A solder composition and a method 10 for producing such a solder composition is provide. The solder composition is substantially “lead-free”, has a relatively long shelf life, and has a desirable melting temperature. Particularly, the solder composition contains tin and zinc with substantially all of the exposed zinc constituents or phases being covered by a relatively thin layer of tin. The formed solder composition may be operatively used with a mildly activated “no-clean” rosin flux.

Abstract: A method of treatment a metal powder to increase its surface area is presented. The metal powder to be treated is selected from a group consisting of tantalum, niobium and mixtures thereof. The method utilizes mechanical alloying applied to an initial selected metal powder and an auxiliary substance having relatively weak corrosion resistance as compared to that of the selected metal. The mechanical alloying is continued until a solid solution of the selected metal and the substance is obtained, in which the selected metal particle has a substantially developed surface area and is at least partly wetted with the substance substantially within a surface region of the selected metal particle. The substance is then removed from the obtained solid solution, thereby leaving the selected metal particles with the substantially developed surface area free of the substance.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing hydrogen-absorbing alloy that can remarkably improve a high-rate discharge characteristic of a nickel-hydrogen alkaline storage cell at low temperature. This is achieved by a method of producing hydrogen-absorbing alloy for use in a nickel-hydrogen alkaline storage cell including the following steps of (a) immersing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy in an alkali treatment solution having a temperature of 60° C. or higher to subject a surface of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy to an alkali treatment; (b) after the step (a), adding a pH-adjusting agent and a reducing agent to the alkali treatment solution to treat the surface of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy using the alkali treatment solution; and (c) washing the hydrogen-absorbing alloy treated by the step (b).

Abstract: A method of producing commercial purity aluminum in an electrolytic reduction cell comprising ceramic inert anodes is disclosed. The method produces aluminum having acceptable levels of Fe, Cu and Ni impurities. The ceramic inert anodes used in the process may comprise oxides containing Fe and Ni, as well as other oxides, metals and/or dopants.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing an intermetallic compound-based composite material containing a reinforcing material and an intermetallic compound. The process includes infiltrating a metal powder into the gaps of a reinforcing material to form a preform and impregnating the preform with an Al melt to give rise to a spontaneous combustion reaction between the metal powder and the Al melt to convert the Al melt into an aluminide intermetallic compound. The Al melt and the metal powder are used in such amounts that they do not remain after the spontaneous combustion reaction. The process can produce an intermetallic compound-based composite material of large size and complicated shape in reduced steps.

Abstract: A niobium powder is described which when formed into an electrolytic capacitor anode, the anode has the capacitance of at least 62,000 CV/g. Methods of making flaked niobium powder which have high capacitance capability when formed into electrolytic capacitor anodes is also described. Besides niobium, the present invention is also applicable to other metals, including valve metals.

Abstract: A relatively high carbon, water-atomized, steel shot is softened via annealing to render it suitable for ballistic use. The annealing preferably includes decarburization from a surface layer or throughout and preferably provides the shot with a surface Knoop hardness of less than 250.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sintered anode unit for a solid electrolytic capacitor is provided. According to this method, a press-molded or compacted pellet of a valve-action metal powder is sintered at a predetermined high temperature and in a predetermined primary vacuum. The pellet is naturally cooled in this primary vacuum, and is cooled by force cooling in an inert gas atmosphere. Thereafter, the sintered pellet is subjected to a repeated cycle processing of vacuum, atmospheric leakage, and vacuum in a gradual-oxidizing chamber. The atmospheric leakage level is increased step by step to set the vacuum level in the gradual-oxidizing chamber to the atmospheric pressure. Then, the sintered pellet having the restricted content of oxygen is taken out from the gradual-oxidizing chamber into the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of preparing a sintered product having a tensile strength 750 MPa comprising the steps of compacting a water-atomised, annealed iron-based powder comprising, by weight %, Cr 2.5-3.5, Mo 0.3-0.7, Mn 0.09-0.3, O <0.2, C<0.01 the balance being iron and, an amount of not more than 1%, inevitable impurities, at a pressure of at least 600 MPa and subjecting the compacted body to sintering at a temperature of at most 1220° C. The invention also concerns the annealed powder used in the method as well as the sintered products.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic powder which can provide a magnet having excellent magnetic properties and having excellent reliability especially excellent stability. The magnetic powder is composed of an alloy composition represented by Rx(Fe1−yCoy)100−x−z−wBzAlw (where R is at least one kind of rare-earth element, x is 7.1-9.9 at %, y is 0-0.30, z is 4.6-6.9 at %, and w is 0.02-1.5 at %), the magnetic powder being constituted from a composite structure having a soft magnetic phase and a hard magnetic phase, wherein the magnetic powder has magnetic properties characterized in that, when the magnetic powder is formed into an isotropic bonded magnet having a density &rgr;[Mg/M3] by mixing with a binding resin and then molding it, the remanent magnetic flux density Br[T] at the room temperature satisfies the relationship represented by the formula of Br/&rgr;[x10−6T·m3/g]≧0.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing low oxygen, essentially carbon free stainless steel powder, which comprises the steps of preparing molten steel which in addition to iron contains carbon and at least 10% of chromium, adjusting the carbon content of the melt to a value which is decided by the expected oxygen content after water atomising; water-atomising the melt and annealing the as-atomised powder at a temperature of at least 1120° C. in a reducing atmosphere containing controlled amounts of water. The invention also concerns a water-atomised powder including 10% by weight of chromium and having a carbon content between 0.2 and 0.7, preferably between 0.4 and 0.6% by weight and an oxygen/carbon ratio of about 1 to 3 and at most 0.5% of impurities, as well as the annealed powder obtained according to the process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic powder which can provide a magnet having excellent magnetic properties and having excellent reliability especially excellent in heat stability. The magnetic powder is composed of an alloy composition represented by Rx(Fe1−yCoy)100−x−z−wBzNbw (where R is at least one kind of rare-earth element, x is 7.1-9.9 at %, y is 0-0.30, z is 4.6-6.9 at %, and w is 0.2-3.