Identifying a stable phase of a binary alloy comprising a solute element and a solvent element. In one example, at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the binary alloy are determined, and the stable phase of the binary alloy is identified based on the first thermodynamic parameter and the second thermodynamic parameter, wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase. In different aspects, an enthalpy of mixing of the binary alloy may be calculated as a first thermodynamic parameter, and an enthalpy of segregation of the binary alloy may be calculated as a second thermodynamic parameter. In another example, a diagram delineating a plurality of regions respectively representing different stable phases of at least one binary alloy is employed, wherein respective regions of the plurality of regions are delineated by at least one boundary determined as a function of at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the at least one binary alloy.

Identifying a stable phase of a binary alloy comprising a solute element and a solvent element. In one example, at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the binary alloy are determined, and the stable phase of the binary alloy is identified based on the first thermodynamic parameter and the second thermodynamic parameter, wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase. In different aspects, an enthalpy of mixing of the binary alloy may be calculated as a first thermodynamic parameter, and an enthalpy of segregation of the binary alloy may be calculated as a second thermodynamic parameter. In another example, a diagram delineating a plurality of regions respectively representing different stable phases of at least one binary alloy is employed, wherein respective regions of the plurality of regions are delineated by at least one boundary determined as a function of at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the at least one binary alloy.

Provided are: a novel electrode which is suitable for use in an input device as typified by a capacitive touch panel sensor, and which has low electrical resistivity and low reflectance; and a method for producing this electrode. This electrode has a multilayer structure comprising a first layer that is formed of an Al film or an Al alloy film and a second layer that is partially nitrided and is formed of an Al alloy containing Al and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Cu, Ti and Ta.

Provided are: a novel electrode which is suitable for use in an input device as typified by a capacitive touch panel sensor, and which has low electrical resistivity and low reflectance; and a method for producing this electrode. This electrode has a multilayer structure comprising a first layer that is formed of an Al film or an Al alloy film and a second layer that is partially nitrided and is formed of an Al alloy containing Al and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Cu, Ti and Ta.

A novel ferromagnetic phase of manganese-bismuth alloy has an NiAs-type unit cell structure, similar to that of Low Temperature Phase manganese-bismuth, but with manganese atoms populating interstitial sites. The novel phase, termed β-MnBi, possesses maximum magnetic coercivity at unusually high temperature. A method for forming β-MnBi includes annealing MnBi nanoparticles, for example by hot compaction, at temperature lower than 175° C.

A novel ferromagnetic phase of manganese-bismuth alloy has an NiAs-type unit cell structure, similar to that of Low Temperature Phase manganese-bismuth, but with manganese atoms populating interstitial sites. The novel phase, termed β-MnBi, possesses maximum magnetic coercivity at unusually high temperature. A method for forming β-MnBi includes annealing MnBi nanoparticles, for example by hot compaction, at temperature lower than 175° C.

A method for producing low-carbon ferromanganese capable of achieving a high Mn yield. In producing low-carbon ferromanganese by blowing an oxidizing gas from a top-blowing lance onto a bath face of high-carbon ferromanganese molten metal accommodated in a reaction vessel provided with a top-blowing lance and bottom-blowing tuyere to perform decarburization, the slag composition during the blowing is adjusted so that a value of (CaO+MgO)/(Al.sub.2O.sub.3+SiO.sub.2) on a mass basis in the slag composition is not less than 0.4 but not more than 5.0. Also, agitation is performed under a condition that an agitation power density ε of an agitation gas blown through the bottom-blowing tuyere is not less than 500 W/t.

An object of the present invention is to provide a Mn-based alloy exhibiting metamagnetism over a wide temperature range. A MnAl alloy according to the present invention exhibits metamagnetism and has crystal grains containing a τ-MnAl phase and crystal grains containing a γ2-MnAl phase. Assuming that the area of the crystal grains containing the τ-MnAl phase in a predetermined cross section is B, and the area of the crystal grains containing the γ2-MnAl phase therein is A, the value of B/A is 0.2 or more and 21.0 or less. When the ratio of the areas between the crystal grains containing the τ-MnAl phase and those containing the γ2-MnAl phase is controlled within the above range, metamagnetism is imparted to the MnAl alloy and, thus, it is possible to obtain metamagnetism over a wide temperature range, particularly, over a temperature range of −100° C. to 200° C.

An object of the present invention is to provide a Mn-based alloy exhibiting metamagnetism over a wide temperature range. A MnAl alloy according to the present invention exhibits metamagnetism and has crystal grains containing a τ-MnAl phase and crystal grains containing a γ2-MnAl phase. Assuming that the area of the crystal grains containing the τ-MnAl phase in a predetermined cross section is B, and the area of the crystal grains containing the γ2-MnAl phase therein is A, the value of B/A is 0.2 or more and 21.0 or less. When the ratio of the areas between the crystal grains containing the τ-MnAl phase and those containing the γ2-MnAl phase is controlled within the above range, metamagnetism is imparted to the MnAl alloy and, thus, it is possible to obtain metamagnetism over a wide temperature range, particularly, over a temperature range of −100° C. to 200° C.

The present disclosure relates to a welding composition for joining high manganese steel base metals to low carbon steel base metals, as well as systems and methods for the same. The composition includes: carbon in a range of about 0.1 wt % to about 0.4 wt %; manganese in a range of about 15 wt % to about 25 wt %; chromium in a range of about 2.0 wt % to about 8.0 wt %; molybdenum in an amount of ≦ about 2.0 wt %; nickel in an amount of ≦ about 10 wt %; silicon in an amount of ≦ about 0.7 wt %; sulfur in an amount of ≦ about 100 ppm; phosphorus in an amount of ≦ about 200 ppm; and a balance comprising iron. In an embodiment, the composition has an austenitic microstructure.