The iron alloy particle is a particle including an iron alloy. The particle includes multiple mixed-phase particles, each including nanocrystals of 10 nm or more and 100 nm or less (i.e., from 10 nm to 100 nm) in crystallite size and an amorphous phase; and a grain boundary layer between the mixed-phase particles. Also, the iron alloy has a composition containing Fe, Si, P, B, C, and Cu.

The iron alloy particle is a particle including an iron alloy. The particle includes multiple mixed-phase particles, each including nanocrystals of 10 nm or more and 100 nm or less (i.e., from 10 nm to 100 nm) in crystallite size and an amorphous phase; and a grain boundary layer between the mixed-phase particles. Also, the iron alloy has a composition containing Fe, Si, P, B, C, and Cu.

A production method for water-atomized metal powder includes: in a region in which the average temperature of a molten metal stream having an Fe concentration of 76.0 at % or more and less than 82.9 at % is 100° C. or more higher than the melting point, spraying primary cooling water at a convergence angle of 10° to 25°, where the convergence angle is an angle between an impact direction on the molten metal stream from one direction and an impact direction on the molten metal stream from any other direction; and in a region in which 0.0004 seconds or more have passed after an impact of the primary cooling water and the average temperature of metal powder is the melting point or higher and (the melting point+100° C.) or lower, spraying secondary cooling water on the metal powder under conditions of an impact pressure of 10 MPa or more.

A magnetic material and an inductor capable of attaining both higher magnetic permeability and improved DC superposition characteristics. A composite magnetic material contains metal magnetic particles, in which the metal magnetic particles include first particles having a median diameter D.sub.50 of 1.3 .Math.m or more and 5.0 .Math.m or less (i.e., from 1.3 .Math.m to 5.0 .Math.m), and second particles having a median diameter D.sub.50 larger than the first particles. The first and second particles each include a core portion made of a metal magnetic material, and an insulating film provided on a surface of the core portion. The insulating film of the second particles has an average thickness of 40 nm or more and 100 nm or less (i.e., from 40 nm to 100 nm). The insulating film of the first particles has an average thickness smaller than that of the insulating film of the second particles.

A magnetic material and an inductor capable of attaining both higher magnetic permeability and improved DC superposition characteristics. A composite magnetic material contains metal magnetic particles, in which the metal magnetic particles include first particles having a median diameter D.sub.50 of 1.3 .Math.m or more and 5.0 .Math.m or less (i.e., from 1.3 .Math.m to 5.0 .Math.m), and second particles having a median diameter D.sub.50 larger than the first particles. The first and second particles each include a core portion made of a metal magnetic material, and an insulating film provided on a surface of the core portion. The insulating film of the second particles has an average thickness of 40 nm or more and 100 nm or less (i.e., from 40 nm to 100 nm). The insulating film of the first particles has an average thickness smaller than that of the insulating film of the second particles.

A magnetic material and an inductor capable of attaining both higher magnetic permeability and improved DC superposition characteristics. A composite magnetic material contains metal magnetic particles, in which the metal magnetic particles include first particles having a median diameter D.sub.50 of 1.3 .Math.m or more and 5.0 .Math.m or less (i.e., from 1.3 .Math.m to 5.0 .Math.m), and second particles having a median diameter D.sub.50 larger than the first particles. The first and second particles each include a core portion made of a metal magnetic material, and an insulating film provided on a surface of the core portion. The insulating film of the second particles has an average thickness of 40 nm or more and 100 nm or less (i.e., from 40 nm to 100 nm). The insulating film of the first particles has an average thickness smaller than that of the insulating film of the second particles.

A magnetic particle includes a magnetic metal particle having a plurality of phases. The plurality of phases include an Fe-based phase and an Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 phase. An area ratio of the Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 phase in which the Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 phase occupies in the plurality of phases is less than 50%.

A magnetic particle includes a magnetic metal particle having a plurality of phases. The plurality of phases include an Fe-based phase and an Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 phase. An area ratio of the Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 phase in which the Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 phase occupies in the plurality of phases is less than 50%.

A method can include blending materials to form a blend where the materials include a first particulate material and a second particulate material and where the first particulate material is water reactive and includes aluminum and one or more metals selected from a group consisting of metals, alkaline earth metals, group 12 transition metals, and basic having an atomic number equal to or greater than 31; and forming a degradable object from the blend.

A method can include blending materials to form a blend where the materials include a first particulate material and a second particulate material and where the first particulate material is water reactive and includes aluminum and one or more metals selected from a group consisting of metals, alkaline earth metals, group 12 transition metals, and basic having an atomic number equal to or greater than 31; and forming a degradable object from the blend.