The present invention relates to an alloy with formula of RE-M-B—Fe as defined herein and oxygen content less than 0.9 wt %, wherein said RE is in the range of 29.0 weight % to 33.0 weight %; M is in the range of 0.25 weight % to 1.0 weight %; B is in the range of 0.8 weight % to 1.1 weight %; and Fe makes up the balance. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing a RE-M-Fe—B magnetic powder, as defined herein comprising the steps of: (a) melt spinning a RE-M-Fe—B alloy composition to obtain a melt-spun powder; (b) pressing the melt-spun powder of step (a) to obtain a compact body; (c) hot deforming the compact body of step (b) to obtain a die-upset magnet; (d) crushing the die-upset magnet of step (c) to obtain a powder; (e) milling and sieving the powder of step (d); and (f) passivating the powder of step (e) to obtain a magnetic powder; wherein: each of steps (d) to (f) is performed under a low oxygen environment and transfer between each of steps (d) to (f) is a sealed transfer; and wherein the oxygen content of the low oxygen environment and during each sealed transfer is below 0.5 weight %.

The present invention relates to an alloy with formula of RE-M-B—Fe as defined herein and oxygen content less than 0.9 wt %, wherein said RE is in the range of 29.0 weight % to 33.0 weight %; M is in the range of 0.25 weight % to 1.0 weight %; B is in the range of 0.8 weight % to 1.1 weight %; and Fe makes up the balance. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing a RE-M-Fe—B magnetic powder, as defined herein comprising the steps of: (a) melt spinning a RE-M-Fe—B alloy composition to obtain a melt-spun powder; (b) pressing the melt-spun powder of step (a) to obtain a compact body; (c) hot deforming the compact body of step (b) to obtain a die-upset magnet; (d) crushing the die-upset magnet of step (c) to obtain a powder; (e) milling and sieving the powder of step (d); and (f) passivating the powder of step (e) to obtain a magnetic powder; wherein: each of steps (d) to (f) is performed under a low oxygen environment and transfer between each of steps (d) to (f) is a sealed transfer; and wherein the oxygen content of the low oxygen environment and during each sealed transfer is below 0.5 weight %.

A permanent magnet alloy according to the present disclosure contains Mn at a content not lower than 41% by atom and not higher than 53% by atom; Al at a content not lower than 46% by atom and not higher than 53% by atom; and Cu at a content not lower than 0.5% by atom and not higher than 10% by atom. The alloy contains a stable phase, having a tetragonal structure, at a ratio not lower than 50%.

A permanent magnet alloy according to the present disclosure contains Mn at a content not lower than 41% by atom and not higher than 53% by atom; Al at a content not lower than 46% by atom and not higher than 53% by atom; and Cu at a content not lower than 0.5% by atom and not higher than 10% by atom. The alloy contains a stable phase, having a tetragonal structure, at a ratio not lower than 50%.

A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A magnesium-based thermoelectric conversion material includes a first layer formed of Mg.sub.2Si and a second layer formed of Mg.sub.2Si.sub.xSn.sub.1-x (here, x is equal to or greater than 0 and less than 1), in which the first layer and the second layer are directly joined to each other, and within a junction surface with the first layer and in the vicinity of the junction surface, the second layer has a tin concentration transition region in which a tin concentration increases as a distance from the junction surface increases. The junction layer is regarded as a site in which a tin concentration is found to be equal to or lower than a detection limit by the measurement performed using EDX.

A magnesium-based thermoelectric conversion material includes a first layer formed of Mg.sub.2Si and a second layer formed of Mg.sub.2Si.sub.xSn.sub.1-x (here, x is equal to or greater than 0 and less than 1), in which the first layer and the second layer are directly joined to each other, and within a junction surface with the first layer and in the vicinity of the junction surface, the second layer has a tin concentration transition region in which a tin concentration increases as a distance from the junction surface increases. The junction layer is regarded as a site in which a tin concentration is found to be equal to or lower than a detection limit by the measurement performed using EDX.

A sintered friction material is formed by pressure sintering mixed powder at 800° C. or above, the mixed powder consisting of, in mass %, Cu and/or Cu alloy: 40.0 to 80.0%, Ni: 0% or more and less than 5.0%, Sn: 0 to 10.0%, Zn: 0 to 10.0%, VC: 0.5 to 5.0%, Fe and/or Fe alloy: 2.0 to 40.0%, lubricant: 5.0 to 30.0%, metal oxide and/or metal nitride: 1.5 to 30.0%, and the balance being impurity.

A sintered friction material is formed by pressure sintering mixed powder at 800° C. or above, the mixed powder consisting of, in mass %, Cu and/or Cu alloy: 40.0 to 80.0%, Ni: 0% or more and less than 5.0%, Sn: 0 to 10.0%, Zn: 0 to 10.0%, VC: 0.5 to 5.0%, Fe and/or Fe alloy: 2.0 to 40.0%, lubricant: 5.0 to 30.0%, metal oxide and/or metal nitride: 1.5 to 30.0%, and the balance being impurity.