Process for producing soft magnetic material

A process for producing a phosphorus containing iron soft magnetic material consisting essentially of iron up to 0.05% carbon, up to 1.0% manganese, up to 0.05% sulfur, up to 0.5% silicon, and from 0.5 to 1.5% phosphorus, which comprises the steps of:

• blending iron powder and ferro phosphorus powder containing from 22 to 30% phosphorus into a mixture containing from 0.5 to 1.5% phosphorus;
• pressing said blended mixture;
• and sintering said mixture in a non-oxidizing atmosphere of dry hydrogen at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to produce a density of at least 7 grams per cubic centimeter, said sintering temperature being at least 2200.degree. F;
• said soft magnetic material being characterized by a magnetizing force to reach 10 kilogauss of no more than 2.0 oersteds, and a coercive force from 10 kilogauss of no more than 0.9 oersted.