Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A method for producing a nanocrystalline alloy comprising the steps of: (a) heating an amorphous alloy from a temperature lower than the crystallization temperature of said amorphous alloy to a first heat treatment temperature higher than said crystallization temperature, said amorphous alloy having a chemical composition represented by the following formula: (Fe.sub.1-a M.sub.a).sub.100-x-y-z-b-c-d A.sub.x M'.sub.y M".sub.z X.sub.b Si.sub.c B.sub.d (by atomic %), wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co and Ni, A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu and Au, M' is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W, M" is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Sn, Zn, Ag, In, platinum group elements, Mg, Ca, Sr, Y, rare earth elements, N, O and S,X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of C, Ge, Ga, Al and P, and each of a, x, y, z, b, c and d respectively satisfies 0≦a≦0.1, 0.1≦x≦3, 1≦y≦10, 0≦z≦10, 0≦b≦10, 11≦c≦17 and 3≦d≦10; (b) keeping the alloy of step (a) at said first heat treatment temperature for 0 to less than 5 minutes; and (c) cooling the heat-treated alloy of step (b) to room temperature at a cooling rate of 20° C./min or more at least until the temperature falls to 400° C.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
234 words
A method for producing a nanocrystalline alloy comprising the steps of: (a) heating an amorphous alloy from a temperature lower than the crystallization temperature of said amorphous alloy to a first heat treatment temperature higher than said crystallization temperature, said amorphous alloy having a chemical composition represented by the following formula: (Fe.sub.1-a M.sub.a).sub.100-x-y-z-b-c-d A.sub.x M'.sub.y M".sub.z X.sub.b Si.sub.c B.sub.d (by atomic %), wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co and Ni, A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu and Au, M' is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W, M" is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Sn, Zn, Ag, In, platinum group elements, Mg, Ca, Sr, Y, rare earth elements, N, O and S,X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of C, Ge, Ga, Al and P, and each of a, x, y, z, b, c and d respectively satisfies 0≦a≦0.1, 0.1≦x≦3, 1≦y≦10, 0≦z≦10, 0≦b≦10, 11≦c≦17 and 3≦d≦10; (b) keeping the alloy of step (a) at said first heat treatment temperature for 0 to less than 5 minutes; and (c) cooling the heat-treated alloy of step (b) to room temperature at a cooling rate of 20° C./min or more at least until the temperature falls to 400° C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said alloy of step (c) is further subjected to a second heat treatment by the steps of: (d) heating the alloy of step (c) to a second heat treatment temperature not higher than 500° C. and lower than said first heat treatment temperature; (e) keeping the temperature of the alloy of step (d) constant at said second heat treatment temperature of in the range from 250° to 500° C. while applying a magnetic field for 2 hours or shorter; and (f) cooling the heat-treated alloy of step (e) to room temperature at a cooling rate of 20° C./min or more at least until the temperature falls to 400° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said magnetic field is applied in the width direction or in the thickness direction of a thin ribbon of said nanocrystalline alloy.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
302 words
A method for producing a nanocrystalline alloy comprising the steps of: (a) heating an amorphous alloy from a temperature lower than the crystallization temperature of said amorphous alloy to a first heat treatment temperature higher than said crystallization temperature, said amorphous alloy having a chemical composition represented by the following formula: (Fe.sub.1-a M.sub.a).sub.100-x-y-z-b-c-d A.sub.x M'.sub.y M".sub.z X.sub.b Si.sub.c B.sub.d (by atomic %), wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co and Ni, A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu and Au, M' is at least one element selected from the group consisting Ti, V, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W, M" is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Sn, Zn, Ag, In, platinum group elements, Mg, Ca, Sr, Y, rare earth elements, N, O and S, X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of C, Ge, GA, Al and P, and each of a, x, y, z, b, c and d respectively satisfies 0≦a≦0.1, 0.1≦x≦3, 1≦y≦10, 0≦z≦10, 0≦b≦10, 11≦c≦17 and 3≦d≦10; (b) keeping the alloy of step (a) at said first heat treatment temperature for 0 to less than 5 minutes; (c) cooling the alloy of step (b) subjected to a first heat treatment to a second heat treatment temperature not higher than 500° C. and lower than said first heat treatment temperature; (d) keeping the temperature of the alloy of step (c) constant at said second heat treatment temperature or in the range from 250+ to 500° C. while applying a magnetic field for 2 hours or shorter; and (e) cooling the heat-treated alloy of step (d) to room temperature at a cooling rate of 20° C./min or more at least until the temperature falls to 400° C.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
302 words
A method for producing a nanocrystalline alloy comprising the steps of: (a) heating an amorphous alloy from a temperature lower than the crystallization temperature of said amorphous alloy to a first heat treatment temperature higher than said crystallization temperature, said amorphous alloy having a chemical composition represented by the following formula: (Fe.sub.1-a M.sub.a).sub.100-x-y-z-b-c-d A.sub.x M'.sub.y M".sub.z X.sub.b Si.sub.c B.sub.d (by atomic %), wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co and Ni, A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu and Au, M' is at least one element selected from the group consisting Ti, V, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W, M" is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Sn, Zn, Ag, In, platinum group elements, Mg, Ca, Sr, Y, rare earth elements, N, O and S, X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of C, Ge, GA, Al and P, and each of a, x, y, z, b, c and d respectively satisfies 0≦a≦0.1, 0.1≦x≦3, 1≦y≦10, 0≦z≦10, 0≦b≦10, 11≦c≦17 and 3≦d≦10; (b) keeping the alloy of step (a) at said first heat treatment temperature for 0 to less than 5 minutes; (c) cooling the alloy of step (b) subjected to a first heat treatment to a second heat treatment temperature not higher than 500° C. and lower than said first heat treatment temperature; (d) keeping the temperature of the alloy of step (c) constant at said second heat treatment temperature or in the range from 250+ to 500° C. while applying a magnetic field for 2 hours or shorter; and (e) cooling the heat-treated alloy of step (d) to room temperature at a cooling rate of 20° C./min or more at least until the temperature falls to 400° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein said magnetic field is applied in the width direction or in the thickness direction of a thin ribbon of said amorphous alloy.