Supercritical fluids - a novel approach to magnetic media production?

The production of magnetic media requires a combination of substrate surface engineering, magnetic ink or metal deposition, and a thin-film high-performance lubricant to protect the surface and read-write head from abrasive wear, The lubricant, such as a perfluoroether oil or derivative, is normally applied via a dilute solution in fluorocarbon 113 solvent which is now known as a banned ozone depleter, The search for alternatives has led to developments in water-borne coatings but water can be an expensive and troublesome solvent. A novel means of delivering magnetic inks to a surface may be via supercritical carbon dioxide or xenon spray systems, Fluorinated and silicone oils are soluble in supercritical CO2 and can also be applied by this residue-free technique, Supercritical fluids offer the opportunity to deposit/impregnate metals into surfaces via organometallics. Could this replace the future magnetic media production? (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.