Static models of magnetic hysteresis

A general static (k.e. time independent) model of hysteresis, relying upon the characteristic properties of the experimental magnetization curves, is elaborated for polycrystalline ferromagnetic bodies. The model is compared with several others and is proved to be mathematically identical to the `physical models' of Preisach (1935) and Stoner-Wohlfarth (1948), generalized to fit in the best way the experimental curves. The validity of those model is thus proved on purely phenomenological grounds, without any recourse to microscopic physics. Furthermore, the presented model shows which experimental characteristics are be chosen in order to obtain the `best' Preisach type model.