Structural and Magnetic Properties of Strontium Hexaferrite Prepared from Natural Minerals

In this study strontium hexaferrite (SrFe(12)O(19)) has been prepared from celestite (natural mineral of strontium) and blue dust (iron ore fines) at different mole ratios SrO.nFe(2)O(3) (n = 5.0 to 5.9) with variation in calcination and sintering temperatures. Its magnetic properties with respect to its structural morphology have been examined. Structural properties like particle shape, size, orientation, lattice parameters and phase formation were measured. The effect of each parameter on magnetic properties in correlation with phase formation has been discussed in the present study. It was found that magnetic properties of strontium hexaferrite prepared from processed ore are strongly dependent on mole ratio, calcination and sintering temperature, density, particle shape, size and its orientation. It was observed that at a mole ratio (SrO/Fe(2)O(3)) Of 5.0 the (BH)(max) value is 3.58 kJ.m(-3), whereas at the mole ratio of 5.9 the value drops to 1.12 kJ.m(-3). Similarly the remenence value is maximum (150 mT) at the mole ratio of 5.0 as compared to 1.14 at 5.9 mole ratio.