Abstract: Provided is magnetic powder capable of enhancing simultaneously both magnetic characteristics including SNP and durability of a magnetic recording medium. The hexagonal ferrite magnetic powder for a magnetic recording medium has a Ba/Fe molar ratio of 8.0% or more, a Bi/Fe molar ratio of 2.5% or more and an Al/Fe molar ratio of from 3.0 to 6.0%. The magnetic powder preferably has an activation volume Vact of from 1,400 to 1,800 nm3. The magnetic powder particularly preferably has a coercive force Hc of from 159 to 279 kA/m (which is approximately from 2,000 to 3,500 Oe) and a coercivity distribution SFD of from 0.3 to 1.0. The magnetic powder may contain, as an element that substitutes an Fe site of the hexagonal ferrite, at least one kind selected from divalent transition metals M1 and tetravalent transition metals M2.

Abstract: A hexagonal ferrite magnetic powder for a magnetic recording medium, containing magnetic powder contains hexagonal ferrite particles having coated on the surface thereof an aluminum hydroxide material, having a Ba/Fe molar ratio of 0.080 or more, a Bi/Fe molar ratio of 0.025 or more, and an Al/Fe molar ratio of from 0.030 to 0.200. The magnetic powder preferably has an activation volume Vact of from 1,300 to 2,000 nm3. The magnetic powder particularly preferably has a coercive force Hc of from 159 to 287 kA/m (approximately from 2,000 to 3,600 Oe) and a coercivity distribution SFD of from 0.3 to 1.0. The magnetic powder may contain one or two or more kinds of a divalent transition metal M1 and a tetravalent transition metal M2, as an element that replaces Fe of the hexagonal ferrite. The magnetic powder has improved magnetic characteristics including SNR and durability.

Abstract: Provided is magnetic powder capable of enhancing simultaneously both magnetic characteristics including SNP and durability of a magnetic recording medium. The hexagonal ferrite magnetic powder for a magnetic recording medium has a Ba/Fe molar ratio of 8.0% or more, a Bi/Fe molar ratio of 2.5% or more and an Al/Fe molar ratio of from 3.0 to 6.0%. The magnetic powder preferably has an activation volume Vact of from 1,400 to 1,800 nm3. The magnetic powder particularly preferably has a coercive force Hc of from 159 to 279 kA/m (which is approximately from 2,000 to 3,500 Oe) and a coercivity distribution SFD of from 0.3 to 1.0. The magnetic powder may contain, as an element that substitutes an Fe site of the hexagonal ferrite, at least one kind selected from divalent transition metals M1 and tetravalent transition metals M2.