Method and device for treating a material exposed to a magnetic field

1. A device for applying a treatment cycle to a material in a static magnetic field, the treatment cycle comprising heating of the material followed by a subsequent step comprising a thermal shock, a chemical treatment and/or a thermomechanical treatment, the device comprising:

a device operably applying the static magnetic field capable of generating a magnetic field of intensity higher than 1 Tesla, having a shape of revolution with a field hole;

a support arranged to hold the material in a fixed position on the axis of revolution of the device operably applying the static magnetic field during the steps of the cycle;

a first system operably heating of the material; and

a second system operably implementing the subsequent step of the cycle;

wherein the first system and second system are secured to each other and are capable of translating along the axis of revolution of the magnet under the action of a propelling device.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a device operably translating the first and second systems relative to the material and to the magnetic field.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second system comprises a quench bath.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second system comprises a bath adapted to perform chemical treatment of the material.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second system comprises a system for mechanical deformation of the material.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a system measuring physical properties of the material that is fixed relative to the material.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device that operably applies the static magnetic field comprises one of: an electro-magnet, a superconducting magnet, a resistive magnet, a hybrid magnet or a group of permanent magnets.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device that operably applies the static magnetic field comprises at least three superconducting magnets capable of moving along a direction orthogonal to the axis of translation of the first and second systems.

9. A material treatment device comprising:

at least one magnet operably emitting a static magnetic field greater than 1 Tesla within a magnetic field hole;

a heater movable to a position within the magnetic field hole;

a liquid quenching bath movable to a position within the magnetic field hole, the quenching bath creating a temperate decrease of at least 50° C./s; and

a material-holding-support remaining stationary while the heater and bath are moved with respect to the magnetic field.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the at least one magnet includes multiple coaxially aligned and substantially annular superconducting magnets.

11. The device of claim 9 , further comprising a workpiece material mechanically moved by the support, the support inserting the workpiece material into and out of the magnetic field hole.

12. The device of claim 9 , further comprising a workpiece material being maintained in a constant position within a bore of the at least one magnet when the magnet is magnetically energized, even when the workpiece material is heated and quenched.

13. The device of claim 9 , further comprising an actuator operably moving the heater and quenching bath along the same axis into and out of the at least one magnet.

14. The device of claim 9 , further comprising:

at least a second magnet operably emitting a static magnetic field greater than 1 Tesla within a second field hole; and

centerline axes of the magnets being offset from, substantially parallel to and movable relative to each other.