ENHANCED CHEMICAL BONDING BETWEEN LUBRICANTS AND MAGNETIC COATINGS BY HIGH-ENERGY IRRADIATION AND ITS APPLICATION TO TAPE DURABILITY

Metal particle and metal evaporated tapes topocoated with perfluoropolyether (PFPE) were irradiated with either x rays, electron beams or ion beams in an effort to understand the process for enhancing tape durability. The species formed were studied by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Dissociation of PFPE and formation of a chemical bond involving fluorine and metal occurred with all three types of irradiation. The stability of different types of PFPE were compared. Certain species were found to be more reactive with the metal upon high energy radiation. Increased durability of the magnetic tapes after radiation exposure is believed to be the result of radiation-enhanced chemical bonding of lubricants to the tape surface.