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.

The present invention relates to metal alloys including copper.

A method of producing a CoFe alloy strip is provided. The method comprises hot rolling a CoFe alloy to form a hot rolled strip, followed by quenching the strip from a temperature above 700° C. to a temperature of 200° C. The CoFe alloy comprises an order/disorder temperature T.sub.o/d and a ferritic/austenitic transformation temperature T.sub.α/γ, wherein T.sub.α/γ>T.sub.o/d. The method further comprises cold rolling the hot rolled strip, after cold rolling, continuous annealing the strip at a maximum temperature T.sub.1, wherein 500° C.<T.sub.1<T.sub.o/d, followed by cooling at a cooling rate R.sub.1 of at least 1 K/s in the temperature range of T.sub.1 to 500° C., and after continuous annealing, magnetic annealing the strip, or parts manufactured from the strip, at a temperature between 730° C. and T.sub.α/γ.

A method of producing a CoFe alloy strip is provided. The method comprises hot rolling a CoFe alloy to form a hot rolled strip, followed by quenching the strip from a temperature above 700° C. to a temperature of 200° C. The CoFe alloy comprises an order/disorder temperature T.sub.o/d and a ferritic/austenitic transformation temperature T.sub.α/γ, wherein T.sub.α/γ>T.sub.o/d. The method further comprises cold rolling the hot rolled strip, after cold rolling, continuous annealing the strip at a maximum temperature T.sub.1, wherein 500° C.<T.sub.1<T.sub.o/d, followed by cooling at a cooling rate R.sub.1 of at least 1 K/s in the temperature range of T.sub.1 to 500° C., and after continuous annealing, magnetic annealing the strip, or parts manufactured from the strip, at a temperature between 730° C. and T.sub.α/γ.

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a part. The part may be positioned in a chamber. The part may be comprised of a metal and may be a positioned part. A gas containing nitrogen may be sent into the chamber. An electromagnetic field may be generated in the chamber with the gas. The electromagnetic field may heat a portion of the metal in the positioned part to a temperature from about 60 percent to about 99 percent of the melting point of the metal such that the portion of the metal has a desired hardness. The portion of the metal may extend from a surface of the positioned part to a selected depth from the surface.

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a part. The part may be positioned in a chamber. The part may be comprised of a metal and may be a positioned part. A gas containing nitrogen may be sent into the chamber. An electromagnetic field may be generated in the chamber with the gas. The electromagnetic field may heat a portion of the metal in the positioned part to a temperature from about 60 percent to about 99 percent of the melting point of the metal such that the portion of the metal has a desired hardness. The portion of the metal may extend from a surface of the positioned part to a selected depth from the surface.

A method of making a light weight component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a metallic foam core into a desired configuration; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration; forming an inlet opening and an outlet opening in the external metallic shell in order to provide a fluid path through the metallic foam core; and injecting a thermoplastic material into the metallic foam core via the inlet opening.

A method of making a light weight component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a metallic foam core into a desired configuration; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration; forming an inlet opening and an outlet opening in the external metallic shell in order to provide a fluid path through the metallic foam core; and injecting a thermoplastic material into the metallic foam core via the inlet opening.

A metallic alloy, more particularly, a high-entropy alloy with a composite structure exhibits high strength and good ductility, and is used as a component material in electromagnetic, chemical, shipbuilding, machinery, and other applications, and in extreme environments, and the like.

A metallic alloy, more particularly, a high-entropy alloy with a composite structure exhibits high strength and good ductility, and is used as a component material in electromagnetic, chemical, shipbuilding, machinery, and other applications, and in extreme environments, and the like.