Triboemission characteristics of electrons during wear of amorphous carbon and hydrogenated amorphous carbon films in a dry air atmosphere

To find out if electrons, which are thought to decompose the lubricant, are emitted at the sliding contacts of head-disk in magnetic recording media, electron emission was measured together with friction coefficient in a frictional system consisting of an Al2O3 ball (head material) sliding on a carbon film coated on glass substrate under dry sliding conditions. Friction tests were conducted in a dry air atmosphere at a gas pressure of 5 mPa. The results showed that electrons are emitted during wear of carbon films. The intensity of the electron emission increases steeply with an increase of the H-2 content in the sputtering-gases used for preparation of the carbon film. This steep increase of emission is caused by the increase in the wear of carbon films.