STICTION MODEL FOR A HEAD-DISC INTERFACE - EXPERIMENTAL

Experiments have been conducted to assess the theoretical predictions of a stiction model for a head-disc interface recently proposed [1]. O ne of the key predictions of this model is that the relationship betwe en stiction and the real area of contact is nonmonotonic, and that min imum stiction should occur at an optimal value of the real area of con tact. The regular textures of different asperity densities, generated by the laser texturing technique, were used in this study. The single- crater type of laser bumps could be accurately simulated by either sph erical bumps with an effective radius of curvature, or cylindrical bum ps with an effective Young's modulus. The stiction measurement results were found to be in excellent agreement with the theoretical predicti on. The comparison between the model predictions and the experimental results were made for the stiction vs. asperity height relationships f or different size laser bumps, at different spacings, and at different lubrication levels. In all cases, good agreements between the model a nd the experimental data have been confirmed. In this study, it has al so been found that a ''bonded'' Zdol lubricant film still behaves like a liquid in terms of its ability to form menisci around contacting po ints.