New developments in technologically important magnetic materials

In the past decade there has been a number of new developments in magnetic materials that should pave the way for expanded applications. These include: highly oriented high induction silicon steel; new varieties of permalloys, especially near 65% Ni; amorphous soft magnetic materials of the type (Fe, Co, Ni)₈₀ (P, B, Al)₂₀ produced by continuous rapid quenching; rare earth-cobalt permanent magnets with _iH_c to 150 kA/m and (BH)_max to 200 kJ/m³; ductile chromium cobalt iron permanent magnets with properties comparable to the alnicos; new families of ductile semihard magnets particularly for miniature self-latching dry reed contacts; and a new memory technology based on magnetic bubbles. These new developments will be discussed along with prospects for future applications.