Magnetic recording media

Details Magnetic recording media Magnetic recording media

2001-03-23

2002-12-31

Resan, Stevan A. (Department: 1773)

Coating processes

Magnetic base or coating

Magnetic coating

C204S192150, C204S192160

Reexamination Certificate

active

06500484

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to the use of lubricants in connection with magnetic recording media and, in particular, to the use of lubricants for reducing frictional coefficients of thin-film recording media.
Thin-film magnetic discs or media are used as data storage media for digital computers. The discs typically are formed by successively sputtering various layers onto a rigid disc substrate. The sputtered layers can include an underlayer, a magnetic layer, and a carbon overcoat which protects the magnetic layer from corrosion and oxidation and reduces frictional forces between the disc and a read/write head.
The surface of the disc is often lubricated with a thin film of a lubricant to reduce friction between the head and the disc, particularly during start and stop cycles. The lubricity of a disc-head interface generally is measured in terms of dynamic and/or static coefficients of friction or stiction values. Dynamic stiction values can be measured using a standard drag test in which the drag produced by contact of a read/write head with a disc is determined at a constant spin rate, for example, 1 rotation per minute (rpm). Static stiction values can be measured using a standard contact start-stop (CSS) test in which the peak level of friction is measured as the disc starts rotating from zero to a selected revolution rate, for example, 5,000 rpm. After the peak friction is measured, the disc is brought to rest, and the start-stop process is repeated for a selected number of start-stop cycles.
For good long-term disc and drive performance, the disc-head interface should retain a relatively low stiction value after many start-stop cycles or contacts between the disc and a read/write head. For example, a drive manufacturer may require that the disc-head interface have a stiction value no greater than 1.5 or 3 after 15,000 start-stop cycles. A disc that meets such requirements can tolerate at least 15,000 start-stop cycles without exhibiting high friction characteristics that would interfere with the read/write operations. Improvements in the manufacture of discs are desirable to reduce the wear and improve the long-term performance of the magnetic discs.
SUMMARY
In general, according to one aspect, a thin-film magnetic recording disc for use with a read/write head in a disc drive includes a substrate, a magnetic recording film disposed over the substrate, and a protective overcoat on the recording film. The recording disc has an outer layer that includes a solid fluorocarbon and a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) oil.
Various implementations can include one or more of the following features. The protective overcoat can include carbon and the solid fluorocarbon can be formed, for example, by a sputtering process. In some implementations, the solid fluorocarbon film has a thickness in the range of about 10-40 angstroms, and the amount of fluorine atoms in the solid fluorocarbon film can be in the range of about 8-30 percent.
In another aspect, a method of fabricating a thin-film magnetic recording disc is described.
The disc can be used as a data storage media for a digital computer and, in particular, with a read/write head in a disc drive. The addition of the fluorocarbon layer and the PFPE oil can improve the tribology of the disc, thereby reducing wear and improving the long-term performance of the magnetic disc.
In another aspect, the invention features a magnetic recording apparatus including a read/write head for transmitting and receiving information to and from a magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic recording medium having an outer layer comprising a solid fluorocarbon and a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) oil.
The invention also features a magnetic recording apparatus including a read/write head and a magnetic storage medium having means for reducing wear of the magnetic storage medium when information is transmitted to or read from the magnetic storage medium by the read/write head.
Other features and advantages will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.


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Karis et al., “Characterization of a solid fluorocarbon film on magnetic recording media,” J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 15(4), Jul./Aug. 1997, pp. 2382-2387.

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