Recent developments of soft magnetic alloys in Japan

Soft magnetic alloys that are now in practical use or under development in Japan are reviewed. In the field of Si-Fe alloys, the influence of various processing parameters, such as addition of elements, heat treatments, and alloy composition on the mechanical and the magnetic properties and recent developments in methods of measuring iron losses are described and discussed. As for Ni-Fe alloys, the effects of refining reagents or added elements adjusting the formation of the superlattice Ni3Fe on the magnetic properties are given. Finally systematic studies on the relation between degree of order and magnetic properties of Ni-Mn alloys are reviewed.