BULK SOLIDIFIED QUENCHED MATERIAL AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

摘要

[PROBLEMS] To obtain a material in bulk form suitable for use as a material of actuator or sensor element from a Ti-Ni base shape memory alloy or Fe-Ga base magnetostrictive alloy taking advantage of crystal miniaturization and anisotropy as well as reduction of precipitates (= equilibrium phase in state diagram) and nonequilibrium phases peculiar to liquid quenched solidified materials, and to attain performance enhancement by a production process superior in cost to the melt process. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] Given quenched solidified structure of a Ti-Ni base shape memory alloy or Fe-Ga magnetostrictive alloy, or quenched material with properties according thereto is sliced into thin pieces and piled in multilayer form in a die, or alternatively powder or chops thereof are charged in a die, followed by high-density bonding according to an electric discharge sintering method to thereby obtain an alloy in bulk form. Optionally, the sintering is further followed by annealing of the alloy in bulk form. Thus, the performance of the alloy is enhanced.