The present invention provides a rare-earth sintered magnet that is characterized in that: R (R indicates one or more elements selected from rare-earth elements, wherein Nd is essential), T (T indicates one or more elements selected from iron-group elements, wherein Fe is essential), X (X indicates one or two elements selected from B and C, wherein B is essential), M.sup.1 (M.sup.1 indicates one or more elements selected from Al, Si, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Mo, Sn, W, Pb, and Bi), 0.1 mass % or less of O, 0.05 mass % or less of N, and 0.07 mass % or less of C are contained; the average crystal grain size is 4.0 μm or less; and relational expression (1) 0.26×D+97≤Or≤0.26×D+99 is satisfied assuming that the degree of orientation is Or [%] and that the average crystal grain size is D [μm]. With this rare-earth sintered magnet, it is possible to achieve superior magnetic characteristics in which both high Br and high H.sub.cJ are achieved.

The present invention provides a rare-earth sintered magnet that is characterized in that: R (R indicates one or more elements selected from rare-earth elements, wherein Nd is essential), T (T indicates one or more elements selected from iron-group elements, wherein Fe is essential), X (X indicates one or two elements selected from B and C, wherein B is essential), M.sup.1 (M.sup.1 indicates one or more elements selected from Al, Si, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Mo, Sn, W, Pb, and Bi), 0.1 mass % or less of O, 0.05 mass % or less of N, and 0.07 mass % or less of C are contained; the average crystal grain size is 4.0 μm or less; and relational expression (1) 0.26×D+97≤Or≤0.26×D+99 is satisfied assuming that the degree of orientation is Or [%] and that the average crystal grain size is D [μm]. With this rare-earth sintered magnet, it is possible to achieve superior magnetic characteristics in which both high Br and high H.sub.cJ are achieved.

A method for manufacturing a Cu—Ni—Al-based sintered alloy according to the present invention includes: adding pure Al powder to alloy powder containing Cu, Ni, and Al and mixing them to produce raw material powder with a composition ratio of Ni: 1% to 15% by mass, Al: 1.9% to 12% by mass, and a Cu balance containing inevitable impurities; compacting the raw material powder to form a green compact; and sintering the green compact in a mixture gas atmosphere of hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas that contains 3% by volume or more of hydrogen gas.

A method for manufacturing a Cu—Ni—Al-based sintered alloy according to the present invention includes: adding pure Al powder to alloy powder containing Cu, Ni, and Al and mixing them to produce raw material powder with a composition ratio of Ni: 1% to 15% by mass, Al: 1.9% to 12% by mass, and a Cu balance containing inevitable impurities; compacting the raw material powder to form a green compact; and sintering the green compact in a mixture gas atmosphere of hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas that contains 3% by volume or more of hydrogen gas.

Provided is a method for manufacturing an Ni-based alloy member in which the equilibrium amount of γ′ phase precipitation at 700° C. is from 30 to 70 volume %. The method includes the steps of preparing an Ni-based alloy powder having a predetermined chemical composition; forming a precursor body wherein an average grain diameter of the γ phase grains is 50 μm or less, by using the Ni-based alloy powder; and heating the precursor body to a temperature at least the γ′ phase solvus temperature and subsequently slow-cooling the heated precursor body from the temperature to a temperature at least 100° C. lower than the γ′ phase solvus temperature at a cooling rate of 100° C./h or lower. There is obtained a softened body in that the γ′ phase particles of at least 20 volume % precipitate between/among the γ phase grains having an average grain diameter of 50 μm or less.

Provided is a method for manufacturing an Ni-based alloy member in which the equilibrium amount of γ′ phase precipitation at 700° C. is from 30 to 70 volume %. The method includes the steps of preparing an Ni-based alloy powder having a predetermined chemical composition; forming a precursor body wherein an average grain diameter of the γ phase grains is 50 μm or less, by using the Ni-based alloy powder; and heating the precursor body to a temperature at least the γ′ phase solvus temperature and subsequently slow-cooling the heated precursor body from the temperature to a temperature at least 100° C. lower than the γ′ phase solvus temperature at a cooling rate of 100° C./h or lower. There is obtained a softened body in that the γ′ phase particles of at least 20 volume % precipitate between/among the γ phase grains having an average grain diameter of 50 μm or less.

A dust core includes large particles having an average particle size of 8-15 μm, medium particles having an average particle size of 1-5 μm, and small particles having an average particle size of 300-900 nm when a cross section thereof is observed. An area ratio occupied by the large particles is 50% to 90%, an area ratio occupied by the medium particles is 0% to 30%, and an area ratio occupied by the small particles is 5% to 30%, when a total area ratio occupied by the large particles, the medium particles and the small particles is 100% in the cross section. Vickers hardness (Hv) of the large particles, the medium particles and the small particles is 150-600 respectively. The small particles are alloy powder containing Fe and at least Si or N. The dust core may be included in an inductor element.

A dust core includes large particles having an average particle size of 8-15 μm, medium particles having an average particle size of 1-5 μm, and small particles having an average particle size of 300-900 nm when a cross section thereof is observed. An area ratio occupied by the large particles is 50% to 90%, an area ratio occupied by the medium particles is 0% to 30%, and an area ratio occupied by the small particles is 5% to 30%, when a total area ratio occupied by the large particles, the medium particles and the small particles is 100% in the cross section. Vickers hardness (Hv) of the large particles, the medium particles and the small particles is 150-600 respectively. The small particles are alloy powder containing Fe and at least Si or N. The dust core may be included in an inductor element.

A soft magnetic powder contains a particle having a composition represented by Fe.sub.xCu.sub.aNb.sub.b(Si.sub.1-yB.sub.y).sub.100-x-a-b, and 0.3≤a≤2.0, 2.0≤b≤4.0, and 72.5≤x≤75.5, and y is a number satisfying f(x)≤y≤0.99, and f(x)=(4×10.sup.−34)×17.56. The particle includes a crystal grain having a grain size of 1.0 nm to 30.0 nm, a Cu segregation portion, and a crystal grain boundary. A content proportion of the crystal grain is 30% or more. When the Cu segregation portion positioned in a surface layer portion and having a grain size of 1.0 nm to 5.0 nm is referred to as a first Cu segregation portion, and the Cu segregation portion positioned in an inner portion and having a grain size of 3.0 nm to 10.0 nm is referred to as a second Cu segregation portion, a number proportion of the first Cu segregation portion is 80% or more, and a number proportion of the second Cu segregation portion is 80% or more.

Titanium-containing alloys are generally described. The titanium-containing alloys are, according to certain embodiments, nanocrystalline. According to certain embodiments, the titanium-containing alloys have high relative densities. The titanium-containing alloys can be relatively stable, according to certain embodiments. Inventive methods for making titanium-containing alloys are also described herein. The inventive methods for making titanium-containing alloys can involve, according to certain embodiments, sintering nanocrystalline particulates comprising titanium and at least one other metal to form a titanium-containing nanocrystalline alloy.