NANOINDENTATION AND TRIBOLOGICAL STUDIES OF MAGNETICALLY SOFT HIGH MOMENT FETAN THIN-FILMS

The nanoindentation and tribological behavior of magnetically soft hig h moment FeTaN thin films have been investigated. It was observed that the hardness of FeTaN films increases when nitrogen is incorporated i nto the film and the wear resistance of these films against commercial magnetic tapes was increased by introducing a small amount of nitroge n but decreased with a further increase of nitrogen content, SEM obser vations on a cross section of a wear scar revealed that there were deb ris particles (less than 0.5 mu m) on the worn surface.