Patent ID: 8568644

Claim:
A method for producing a soft magnetic material to be used for producing a dust core, the method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a material powder comprising composite magnetic particles that comprise: (a1) soft magnetic metallic particles; and (a2) an insulating film that contains hydrated water and that is formed on the surface of each of the soft magnetic metallic particles; (b) preparing a resin material containing silicone that cures through a hydrolysis-polycondensation reaction; and (c) mixing the material powder and the resin material in a heated atmosphere at 80° C. to 150° C. to form a silicone film by the hydrolysis-polycondensation reaction on the surface of the insulating film, wherein the hydrated water contained in the insulating film is desorbed to promote hydrolysis of the resin material.