Publications Details
Wear mechanisms of amorphous carbon and zirconia coatings on rigid disk magnetic recording media
Examination of the durability of zirconia-coated rigid disks in various environments reveals a sensitivity to the presence of water vapor during sliding. Vacuum and dry air yield contact durabilities of 300 to 400 m, while in 50% relative humidity air the contact life increases to about 20 km. The durability of amorphous carbon-coated disks was also found to be more sensitive to the presence of moisture than to oxygen. The dominant factors affecting wear are believed to be oxidation of metallic debris and interaction of the overcoat layer with water vapor. Tests with ferrite read/write sliders on carbon-coated disks suggest that the pin-on-disc test is a valid simulation of the tribological behavior of this system. Carbon film thickness measurements indicate that the carbon film remains intact without appreciable thinning until the point of failure. 25 refs., 12 figs., 1 tab.