Abstract: Dispersion of γ-Fe₂O₃ powder in polymer solution plays an important role in gover-ning the recording density of magnetic recording materials. The wetting of the powders,disintegration of agglomerates and agglutination of particles are closely related to the surface characteristics of γ-Fe₂O₃ powder. In this paper, the wetting characteristics and the appa-rent contact angles of γ-Fe₂O₃ powder in polar and non-polar liquids were estimated by determining the penetration rates of these liquids through powders, as well as the sedimen-tative volume of powders in liquids. Based on Fowkes'theoretical assumption,the values of the surface tension of γ-Fe₂O₃ powder were calculated:γ_s^d=24 dyn/cm,γ_s^p=17dyn/cmand γ_s=41dyn/cm.