abstract |
A ferromagnetic powder comprising ferromagnetic particles coated with a material that does not degrade at temperatures above 150° C. and permits adjacent particles to strongly bind together after compaction such that parts made from the ferromagnetic powder have a transverse rupture strength of about 8,000 to about 20,000 pounds/square inch before sintering. The coating includes from 2 to 4 parts of an oxide and one part of a chromate, molybdate, oxalate, phosphate, or tungstate. The coating may be substantially free of organic materials. The invention also includes a method of making the ferromagnetic powder, a method of making soft magnetic parts from the ferromagnetic powder, and soft magnetic parts made from the ferromagnetic powder. |