A historical review of the development of sintered Nd-Fe-B and a survey of its basic features are given. Particular consideration is given to the crystallographic and magnetic properties of R/sub 2/Fe/sub 14/B (R=rare earth) and to the powder-metallurgical method used to produce it. The magnetic and mechanical features of sintered Nd-Fe-B are considered along with microstructure, the coercivity mechanism, and magnetizability.< >