US 7,547,367 B2
Method for producing magnetically active shape memory metal alloy
Tuija Suortti, Pori (Finland); Juha Järvi, Ulvila (Finland); and Pekka Taskinen, Pori (Finland)
Assigned to Outotec Oyj, Espoo (Finland)
Appl. No. 10/563,173
PCT Filed Jul. 03, 2003, PCT No. PCT/FI03/00538
§ 371(c)(1), (2), (4) Date Dec. 30, 2005,
PCT Pub. No. WO2005/002762, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 13, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2007/0102067 A1, May 10, 2007
Int. Cl. H01F 1/14 (2006.01); C22F 1/10 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 148—563  [148/100; 148/121] 4 Claims
 
1. A method for producing magnetically active shape memory metal alloy containing nickel, manganese and gallium, comprising:
a) melting nickel and manganese to form a nickel-manganese master alloy,
b) cooling the master alloy,
c) crushing the master alloy,
d) adding gallium to the crushed master alloy,
e) melting the crushed master alloy with the added gallium,
f) homogenizing the melt essentially at the melting temperature,
g) pouring the nickel-manganese-gallium alloy from step f), and
h) subjecting the nickel-manganese-gallium alloy from step g) to directional solidification at 10-100° C. below the liquidus temperature of said nickel-manganese-gallium alloy.