FRICTION AND HEAD AND DISK INTERFACE DURABILITY IN CONTACT RECORDING

The role of ambient air, nitrogen and water on the frictional behavior of a micro-contact recording head against an amorphous nitrogenated c arbon (a-C:N) overcoat disk was investigated. Water was found to play a major role in the time evolution of the friction between the disk an d diamond-like carbon wear pads. No substantial differences between fr iction with and without oxygen in the system were noted. A long-term f ixed track friction test in an extremely dry atmosphere showed frictio n force build-up over time and resulted in magnetically recorded side- band frequency increases due to slider beam vibration. Atomic force mi croscopy on a track in continuous sliding contact for 910 h revealed t hat the track summits became smooth over time. Lateral force microscop y of these summit areas showed high friction relative to unworn areas. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.