Ancorsteel phosphorus alloys are ferrous base powders for P/M parts requiring superior electromagnetic performance. Compared with parts made from pure, high compressibility iron powders, those made from the phosphorus alloys have higher resistivity, permeability and induction, and reduced coercive force. The presence of phosphorus also decreases the susceptibility of a P/M component to nitrogen aging. Ancorsteel phosphorus alloys are produced by making ferrophosphorus additions to the highly compressible iron powders Ancorsteel 1000B or Ancorsteel 1000C.

Components made from the phosphorus alloys exhibit a good combination of tensile strength, ductility, and impact absorption energy. The particle size of the added ferrophosphorus is important as it has a significant effect on these properties. The ferrophosphorus powder should be finer than 20 micrometers and preferably should have a median particle size close to 10 micrometers.

The Hoeganaes Corporation products Ancorsteel 45P and Ancorsteel 80P contain 0.45 and 0.80 weight % (w/o) phosphorus respectively.

Typical applications for parts made from Ancorsteel phosphorus alloys include speed sensors, magnetic solenoids and plungers.