Conventional Fe-based soft magnetic alloy ribbons each containing Co and Ni have a problem that magnetic anisotropy that is neatly arranged in one direction cannot be induced easily even by a magnetic field annealing treatment and, therefore, a wound magnetic cores, a problem that a residual magnetic flux density Br is high, a problem that the hysteresis of the B—H curve becomes large (coercivity Hc becomes large), a problem that the change in incremental permeability relative to superimposed magnetic field becomes large, and others. In order to solve the problems, provided is an Fe-based soft magnetic alloy ribbon including a Cu-concentrated region present directly below a surface of the ribbon, and a Co-concentrated region present directly below the Cu-concentrated region. Also provided is a magnetic core including the Fe-based soft magnetic alloy ribbon.

A magnetic powder is represented by general formula Fe.sub.a(Si.sub.bB.sub.cP.sub.d).sub.100-a, and is produced with a gas atomization method. When the value of a and the value of b in the general formula is represented (a, b), (a, b) is within a predetermined region V1. Similarly, (a, c) and (a, d) are within a predetermined region, respectively. Whereby, it is possible to obtain an alloy magnetic powder which has high saturation magnetic flux density, low magnetic loss, and is spherical and easy to handle; and a magnetic core, a variety of coil components, and a motor can be realized by using the magnetic material.

A magnetic powder is represented by general formula Fe.sub.a(Si.sub.bB.sub.cP.sub.d).sub.100-a, and is produced with a gas atomization method. When the value of a and the value of b in the general formula is represented (a, b), (a, b) is within a predetermined region V1. Similarly, (a, c) and (a, d) are within a predetermined region, respectively. Whereby, it is possible to obtain an alloy magnetic powder which has high saturation magnetic flux density, low magnetic loss, and is spherical and easy to handle; and a magnetic core, a variety of coil components, and a motor can be realized by using the magnetic material.

A magnetic powder is represented by general formula Fe.sub.aSi.sub.bB.sub.cP.sub.dCu.sub.e. 71.0≦a≦81.0, 0.14≦b/c≦5, 0≦d≦14, 0<e≦1.4, d≦0.8a−50, e<−0.1(a+d)+10, and a+b+c+d+e=100. A crystallinity is not more than 30% in the case of containing an amorphous phase and a compound phase, and is not more than 60% in the case of not containing a compound phase. The magnetic powder is produced with a gas atomization method. Whereby, it is possible to obtain an alloy magnetic material which has high saturation magnetic flux density and low magnetic loss; and a magnetic core, coil components, and a motor can be realized.

A magnetic powder is represented by general formula Fe.sub.aSi.sub.bB.sub.cP.sub.dCu.sub.e. 71.0≦a≦81.0, 0.14≦b/c≦5, 0≦d≦14, 0<e≦1.4, d≦0.8a−50, e<−0.1(a+d)+10, and a+b+c+d+e=100. A crystallinity is not more than 30% in the case of containing an amorphous phase and a compound phase, and is not more than 60% in the case of not containing a compound phase. The magnetic powder is produced with a gas atomization method. Whereby, it is possible to obtain an alloy magnetic material which has high saturation magnetic flux density and low magnetic loss; and a magnetic core, coil components, and a motor can be realized.

Various embodiments provide apparatus and methods for melting materials and for containing the molten materials within melt zone during melting. Exemplary apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein; a load induction coil positioned adjacent to the vessel to melt the material therein; and a containment induction coil positioned in line with the load induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated by operating the load induction coil at a first RF frequency to form a molten material. The containment induction coil can be operated at a second RF frequency to contain the molten material within the load induction coil. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the containment induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold through an ejection path.

Various embodiments provide apparatus and methods for melting materials and for containing the molten materials within melt zone during melting. Exemplary apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein; a load induction coil positioned adjacent to the vessel to melt the material therein; and a containment induction coil positioned in line with the load induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated by operating the load induction coil at a first RF frequency to form a molten material. The containment induction coil can be operated at a second RF frequency to contain the molten material within the load induction coil. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the containment induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold through an ejection path.

A soft magnetic alloy having high saturation magnetic flux density Bs and low coercivity Hc, and a composition having formula (Fe(1−(α+β))X1αX2β)(1−(a+b+c))MaCbX3c; X1 represents one selected from the group of Co and Ni; X2 represents one selected from the group of Al, Mn, Ag, Zn, Sn, As, Sb, Cu, Cr, Bi, N, O, S, and rare earth elements; M represents one selected from the group of Ta, V, Zr, Hf, Ti, Nb, Mo, and W; X3 represents one selected from the group of P, B, Si, and Ge; and 0≤a≤0.140, 0.005≤b≤0.200, 0<c≤0.180, 0≤d≤0.020, 0.300≤b/(b+c)<1.000, 0≤α(1−(a+b+c))≤0.400, β≥0,0≤α+β≤0.50 are satisfied.

A soft magnetic alloy having high saturation magnetic flux density Bs and low coercivity Hc, and a composition having formula (Fe(1−(α+β))X1αX2β)(1−(a+b+c))MaCbX3c; X1 represents one selected from the group of Co and Ni; X2 represents one selected from the group of Al, Mn, Ag, Zn, Sn, As, Sb, Cu, Cr, Bi, N, O, S, and rare earth elements; M represents one selected from the group of Ta, V, Zr, Hf, Ti, Nb, Mo, and W; X3 represents one selected from the group of P, B, Si, and Ge; and 0≤a≤0.140, 0.005≤b≤0.200, 0<c≤0.180, 0≤d≤0.020, 0.300≤b/(b+c)<1.000, 0≤α(1−(a+b+c))≤0.400, β≥0,0≤α+β≤0.50 are satisfied.

A new method for evaluating embrittlement of an amorphous alloy ribbon is provided. The method includes: pressing a pressurization member from one side to a plurality of positions of an amorphous alloy ribbon; scattering, in the amorphous alloy ribbon, pressurization portions where the pressurization member is pressed to form indentation; and evaluating embrittlement by the number or distribution of pressurization portions where cracks have occurred.