Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of producing a Fe/Cr/Co permanent magnet alloy consisting essentially of 17 to 45% by weight chromium, 3.0 to 14.9% by weight cobalt and the remainder being iron, by subjecting the alloy to a two-step aging treatment, whereby a two-phase structure of the alloy is precipitated, which two-step aging treatment comprises: a step of primary aging treatment of heating the alloy to a temperature within the range of 590° to 670° C. and maintaining the alloy at said temperature in a controlled magnetic field, whereby said two-phase structure is formed, with the anisotropy in one of the two phases being oriented along the direction of the applied magnetic field; cooling the alloy at a sufficiently rapid cooling rate, down to a temperature lower than that temperature predetermined for starting subsequent secondary aging treatment, such that further precipitation of two-phase structure of the alloy is substantially prevented from taking place; and a secondary aging treatment of heating the alloy to a temperature predetermined for starting which is lower at least by 10° C. than the temperature in the primary aging treatment and then subjecting the alloy to a slow and continuous cooling at a rate of temperature decrement of 100° C. over 2 to 50 hours down to a temperature lower than 560° C., thereby to widen the composition difference between the previously separated two phases due to said primary aging treatment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of producing a Fe/Cr/Co permanent magnet alloy consisting essentially of 17 to 45% by weight chromium, 3.0 to 14.9% by weight cobalt and the remainder being iron, by subjecting the alloy to a two-step aging treatment, whereby a two-phase structure of the alloy is precipitated, which two-step aging treatment comprises: a step of primary aging treatment of heating the alloy to a temperature within the range of 590° to 670° C. and maintaining the alloy at said temperature in a controlled magnetic field, whereby said two-phase structure is formed, with the anisotropy in one of the two phases being oriented along the direction of the applied magnetic field; cooling the alloy at a sufficiently rapid cooling rate, down to a temperature lower than that temperature predetermined for starting subsequent secondary aging treatment, such that further precipitation of two-phase structure of the alloy is substantially prevented from taking place; and a secondary aging treatment of heating the alloy to a temperature predetermined for starting which is lower at least by 10° C. than the temperature in the primary aging treatment and then subjecting the alloy to a slow and continuous cooling at a rate of temperature decrement of 100° C. over 2 to 50 hours down to a temperature lower than 560° C., thereby to widen the composition difference between the previously separated two phases due to said primary aging treatment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said temperature predetermined for starting said secondary aging treatment is lower by 15° C. to 60° C. than said temperature in the primary aging treatment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein an intensity of said controlled magnetic field for said primary aging treatment is 2500 Oe or higher, and said temperature of said primary aging treatment ranges from 610° to 650° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alloy is cooled at said sufficiently rapid cooling rate, after said primary aging treatment, by open-air natural cooling, at a cooling rate determined by ambient temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two-phase structure has a ferromagnetic phase and an inferior ferromagnetic phase, and wherein said one of the two phases being oriented along the direction of the applied magnetic field is said ferromagnetic phase.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the volumetric ratio of ferromagnetic phase to inferior ferromagnetic phase is approximately 1 to 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said controlled magnetic field has an intensity of at least 500 Oe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said controlled magnetic field has an intensity of at least 1000 Oe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alloy is maintained at said temperature in a controlled magnetic field for at least 30 minutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temperature predetermined for starting the secondary aging treatment is 10°-80° C. lower than the temperature in the primary aging treatment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alloy is subjected to a slow and continuous cooling in the secondary aging treatment down to a temperature lower than 520° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the alloy is subjected to a slow and continuous cooling in the secondary aging treatment down to a temperature lower than 500° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the alloy is cooled after the primary aging treatment at a rate of temperature decrement of 100° C. in two hours or less.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rate of temperature decrement of cooling the alloy after the primary aging treatment is 100° C. in 30 minutes or less.