The present disclosure is directed at methods of preparing rare earth-based permanent magnets having improved coercivity and remanence, the method comprising one or more steps comprising: (a) homogenizing a first population of particles of a first GBM alloy with a second population of particles of a second core alloy to form a composite alloy preform, the first GBM alloy being substantially represented by the formula: AC.sub.bR.sub.xCo.sub.yCu.sub.dM.sub.z, the second core alloy being substantially represented by the formula G.sub.2Fe.sub.14B, where AC, R, M, G, b, x, y, and z are defined; (b) heating the composite alloy preform particles to form a population of mixed alloy particles; (c) compressing the mixed alloy particles, under a magnetic field of a suitable strength to align the magnetic particles with a common direction of magnetization and inert atmosphere, to form a green body; (d) sintering the green body; and (e) annealing the sintered body. Particular embodiments include magnets comprising neodymium-iron-boron core alloys, including Nd.sub.2Fe.sub.14B.

The present disclosure is directed at methods of preparing rare earth-based permanent magnets having improved coercivity and remanence, the method comprising one or more steps comprising: (a) homogenizing a first population of particles of a first GBM alloy with a second population of particles of a second core alloy to form a composite alloy preform, the first GBM alloy being substantially represented by the formula: AC.sub.bR.sub.xCo.sub.yCu.sub.dM.sub.z, the second core alloy being substantially represented by the formula G.sub.2Fe.sub.14B, where AC, R, M, G, b, x, y, and z are defined; (b) heating the composite alloy preform particles to form a population of mixed alloy particles; (c) compressing the mixed alloy particles, under a magnetic field of a suitable strength to align the magnetic particles with a common direction of magnetization and inert atmosphere, to form a green body; (d) sintering the green body; and (e) annealing the sintered body. Particular embodiments include magnets comprising neodymium-iron-boron core alloys, including Nd.sub.2Fe.sub.14B.

A reactive matrix infiltration process is described herein, which includes contacting a surface of a preform comprising reinforcement material particles with a molten infiltrant comprising a matrix material, the matrix material comprising an Al—Ce alloy, whereby the infiltrant at least partially fills spaces between the reinforcement material particles by capillary action and reacts with the reinforcement material particles to form a composite material form, the composite material comprising the matrix material, at least one intermetallic phase, and, optionally, reinforcement material particles. A composite material form also is described, which includes a plurality of reinforcement material particles comprising a metal alloy or a ceramic, a matrix material at least partially filling spaces between the reinforcement material particles; and at least one intermetallic phase surrounding at least some of the reinforcement material particles. The reinforcement material particles and intermetallic phase together may form a gradient core-shell structure.

A reactive matrix infiltration process is described herein, which includes contacting a surface of a preform comprising reinforcement material particles with a molten infiltrant comprising a matrix material, the matrix material comprising an Al—Ce alloy, whereby the infiltrant at least partially fills spaces between the reinforcement material particles by capillary action and reacts with the reinforcement material particles to form a composite material form, the composite material comprising the matrix material, at least one intermetallic phase, and, optionally, reinforcement material particles. A composite material form also is described, which includes a plurality of reinforcement material particles comprising a metal alloy or a ceramic, a matrix material at least partially filling spaces between the reinforcement material particles; and at least one intermetallic phase surrounding at least some of the reinforcement material particles. The reinforcement material particles and intermetallic phase together may form a gradient core-shell structure.

Provided are niobium carbide-based cemented carbides and methods of manufacturing the same. The niobium carbide-based cemented carbides may be free of WC. Additionally, or alternatively, the niobium carbide-based cemented carbides may have a hard phase in which NbC in present in an amount greater than any other element of the hard phase. The niobium carbide-based cemented carbide may also have a binder phase devoid of Co.

Provided are niobium carbide-based cemented carbides and methods of manufacturing the same. The niobium carbide-based cemented carbides may be free of WC. Additionally, or alternatively, the niobium carbide-based cemented carbides may have a hard phase in which NbC in present in an amount greater than any other element of the hard phase. The niobium carbide-based cemented carbide may also have a binder phase devoid of Co.

An electrically conductive tip member includes: an inner periphery portion including a Cu matrix phase and a second phase that is dispersed in the Cu matrix phase and contains a Cu—Zr-based compound, the inner periphery portion having an alloy composition of Cu-xZr (where x is the atomic percentage of Zr and satisfies 0.5≤x≤16.7); and an outer periphery portion that is present on an outer circumferential side of the inner periphery portion, made of a metal containing Cu, and has higher electrical conductivity than the inner periphery portion.

An electrically conductive tip member includes: an inner periphery portion including a Cu matrix phase and a second phase that is dispersed in the Cu matrix phase and contains a Cu—Zr-based compound, the inner periphery portion having an alloy composition of Cu-xZr (where x is the atomic percentage of Zr and satisfies 0.5≤x≤16.7); and an outer periphery portion that is present on an outer circumferential side of the inner periphery portion, made of a metal containing Cu, and has higher electrical conductivity than the inner periphery portion.

A magnetic core has a structure in which Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles are connected via a grain boundary. The Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles contain Al, Cr and Si. An oxide layer containing at least Fe, Al, Cr and Si is formed at the grain boundary that connects the neighboring Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles. The oxide layer contains an amount of Al larger than that in Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles, and includes a first region in which the ratio of Al is higher than the ratio of each of Fe, Cr and Si to the sum of Fe, Cr, Al and Si, and a second region in which the ratio of Fe is higher than the ratio of each of Al, Cr and Si to the sum of Fe, Cr, Al and Si. The first region is on the Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particle side.

A magnetic core has a structure in which Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles are connected via a grain boundary. The Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles contain Al, Cr and Si. An oxide layer containing at least Fe, Al, Cr and Si is formed at the grain boundary that connects the neighboring Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles. The oxide layer contains an amount of Al larger than that in Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles, and includes a first region in which the ratio of Al is higher than the ratio of each of Fe, Cr and Si to the sum of Fe, Cr, Al and Si, and a second region in which the ratio of Fe is higher than the ratio of each of Al, Cr and Si to the sum of Fe, Cr, Al and Si. The first region is on the Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particle side.