ABRASIVE WEAR IN MAGNETIC DISK RECORDING

Recent developments in disc recording have made use of low flying ferrite heads which make sliding contact with the discs during starts and stops. The disc media, comprised of finely dispersed γ-Fe2O3 in a polymer matrix, generates abrasive wear at the head and disc interface. Physical measurements concerning the nature of the wear mechanism and magnetic recording anomalies are reported. Both the head and disc wear were studied respectively and related to flight mechanics, the air bearing, component geometry and structures. The role of boundary lubricants has been investigated and their effect on magnetic and physical performance criteria are discussed.