Comparison of the texture functions describing the grain alignment in NdFeB magnets

Two types of Gaussian distribution function (`θ type’ and `tan θ type') describing the degree of grain alignment in sintered NdFeB magnets have been compared in the distribution coefficient σ (or σ_g), the distribution probability P(θ) and the grain alignment dependence of coercivity. The results show that when the grain alignment is good (the ratio of remanence-to-saturation polarization J_r/J_s⩾0.90), σ(σ_g) and P(θ) for the two types of Gaussian functions have similar variation tendencies, the calculated values of normalized coercivity based on the starting field theory are basically the same and are consistent with experiments. When the grain alignment is not good (J_r/J_s⩾0.80), the variation tendencies of σ and P(θ) are different. In addition, according to `tan θ type’ Gaussian function, the theoretical values of the normalized coercivity based on the starting field theory are still consistent with the experiments, but according to `θ type’ Gaussian function, the theoretical values seriously deviate from the experiments. This means that the `tan θ type’ Gaussian function is a better texture function for describing the grain alignment.