THE ROLE OF DISK CARBON AND SLIDER IN WATER-ADSORPTION

Water adsorption was measured an carbon overcoated, thin film magnetic recording disks and magnetic recording heads Measurements were, made using an ellipsometer with a humidity chamber mounted on the sample st age. Water adsorption is dependent primarily on the hydrogen content o f the carbon overcoat, for both lubed and unlubed disks. Water adsorpt ion is independent of the lube type end thickness, except when the car bon overcoat has a low hydrogen content. In the latter case, water ads orption depends on the functional endgroup of the lube and slightly on lube thickness. Water adsorption on magnetic recording heads depends both on the head composition and surface roughness.