Effects of thermal treatment and sliding on chemical bonding of PFPE lubricant films with DLC surfaces

The bonding characteristics of polar perfluoropoly(ether) (PFPE) lubricant Z-Dol and nonpolar PFPE lubricants Z-15 and Z-25 with diamondlike carbon (D LC) surfaces were studied. For lubricant Z-Dol, either prebaking the disk b efore lubrication or a paper pad's being slid on the lubricated disk was fo und to enhance the bonding capability of lubricant film on the surface of t he magnetic disk with DLC coating. For nonpolar lubricants Z-15 and Z-25, a paper pad's sliding on the lubricated disk resulted in some bonding of lub ricant molecules on the DLC disk surface. Experimental results were repeata ble. The mechanisms of prebaking and sliding responsible for lubricant bond ing are discussed, based on the concept of the hydrogen bond interaction an d low-energy electron emission, respectively.