Statistical analysis of the orientation of sintered SmCo5magnets

A statistical model is developed to describe the orientation of particle easy axes with respect to the alignment direction in sintered SmCo5magnets. The model can be used to describe the three-dimensional orientation distributions measured by Swift et al [1]. using x-ray techniques, and with appropriate modification, the two-dimensional orientation distributions measured metallographically by Martin [2]. The distribution is described by a single parameter β, analogous to the standard deviation of a Gaussian distribution. For a given β, the model predicts the ratio of remanence to saturation and also the shape of the magnetization curve measured in decreasing fields when the field is applied perpendicular to the alignment axis. The effective anisotropy and the value of β can be determined by comparison of experimental and calculated curves.