We describe the synthesis and characterization of magnetic materials with improved magnetic properties for permanent magnet applications. Sr 1−x RE x Al 2 Fe 10 O 19 (RE=La, Ce, Tb, and Dy; x=0.0 and 0.1) were prepared by ball milling and sintering at 1200°C for 6 h. The effects of (Al 3+ -RE 3+ ) substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of SrM hexaferrites were investigated by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements at low (5 K), and high temperatures (from room temperature to above Curie temperature). The sample with x=0, and that with La substitution, consisted of a single SrM phase. The rest of the samples contained traces of secondary oxide phases, and exhibited a small reduction in lattice parameters compared with the unsubstituted SrFe 12 O 19 . The coercivity of the samples (8800H cM 9750 Oe) was more than double the standard value of the unsubstituted compound, and the Curie temperatures was >300°C for all samples. Also, the saturation magnetization (32.5-46.4 emu g −1 ) was high enough to make the overall magnetic properties of these compounds potentially important for the permanent magnet industry.