Stress-sensitive sensors utilizing amorphous magnetic alloys

A torque sensor, comprising

• means for generating a magnetic flux comprising a cylindrical coil;
• a thin sheet of an amorphus magnetic alloy having high corrosion resistance, tensile strength and saturation magnetostriction which is positioned in said flux in spaced and concentric relation with said means and fixedly wound about a torque-transmitting member, wherein said sheet is capable of being physically deformable upon application of a torque by said member while causing a variation of said flux, and said alloy consists essentially of Fe.sub.a Cr.sub.b Si.sub.c B.sub.d, wherein a is 69 to 79 atomic %, b is 4 to 6 atomic %, c is 10 to 15 atomic %, d is 6 to 10 atomic %, and a+b+c+d=about 100 atomic % and has a tensile strength .gtoreq.300 Kg/mm.sup.2 ;
• and
• means for detecting the variation of said flux;
• said torque sensor having high corrosion resistance, tensile strength and saturation magnetostriction characteristics.

A stress-sensitive sensor, comprising

• means for generating a magnetic flux;
• a thin sheet of an amorphous magnetic alloy of high corrosion resistance, tensile strength and saturation magnetostriction which is positioned in said flux, wherein said sheet is capable of being physically deformed in response to an external force to be measured while inducing a variation in said flux, and said alloy consists essentially of Fe.sub.a Cr.sub.b Si.sub.c B.sub.d, wherein a is 69 to 79 atomic %, b is 4 to 6 atomic %, c is 10 to 15 atomic %, d is 6 to 10 atomic %, and a+b+c+d=about 100 atomic % and has a tensile strength of >300 Kg/mm.sup.2 ;
• and
• means for detecting the variation of said flux;
• wherein said stress-sensitive sensor has high corrosion resistance, tensile strength and saturation magnetostriction characteristics for use under high stress, oil or oil mist conditions.