Coating processes – Magnetic base or coating – Magnetic coating
Patent
1998-07-23
2000-08-08
Pianalto, Bernard
Coating processes
Magnetic base or coating
Magnetic coating
118 50, 118500, 118600, 118719, 118720, 4272481, 427294, 427299, 427402, B05D 512
Patent
active
060998962
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method for applying a lubricant film to at least a portion of the surface of a magnetic media, such as a radial band portion of a magnetic disc which includes a landing and take-off area for a read-write head.
BACKGROUND ART
Thin film magnetic disc media are typically lubricated with a perfluoropolyether coating to reduce wear during the lifetime of the discs. Conventionally, a thin lubricant film is applied to the disc surface by dipping the disc into a bath containing a small amount of lubricant, e.g., typically less than about 1% by weight of a perfluoro- or hydrocarbon compound dissolved in a solvent. However, a drawback inherent in this process is the consumption of large quantities of solvent, resulting in increased cost and concern with environmental hazards associated with the presence of solvent vapors in the workplace.
Another drawback attendant upon dip lubrication is the non-selectivity of the method, in that lubricant is applied to the entire disc surface. In some instances, e.g., with zone-textured media having a specific radial band designated for the landing and take-off zone of the read-write head, the lubricant film present on the other portions of the disc surface is unnecessary, wasteful and, in some cases, detrimental to the performance of the head-disc interface.
Yet another drawback associated with the conventional dipping methodology stems from the use of mixtures of long chain polymers having a wide distribution of molecular weights. It is known that the molecular weight of the lubricant has an effect on the mechanical performance of the head-disc interface. In conventional practice, the polymeric lubricant mixtures must be subjected to fractionation before adding the lubricant to the solvent to obtain a fraction having a desired molecular weight distribution, thus adding an additional step and increasing the cost of the process.
Accordingly, there exists a need for technology enabling the application of a lubricant film free of the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional dipping.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is a method for applying a thin lubricant film to a magnetic recording medium, such as a magnetic disc, which overcomes the drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art.
A further object of the present invention is a method for applying a thin film of lubricant to a preselected radial band portion of the surface of a magnetic disc.
Another object of the present invention is a method of applying a thin polymeric lubricant film to a magnetic disc, wherein the lubricant is fractionated in-situ into a material having a narrower weight distribution and lighter mean molecular weight.
A further object of the present invention is an apparatus for applying a thin film of a lubricant to a preselected radial band portion of the surface of a magnetic disc.
A still further object of the present invention is an apparatus for applying a thin film of polymeric lubricant to a magnetic disc, which apparatus vaporizes and fractionates the polymeric lubricant into a material having a narrower molecular weight distribution and lower mean weight prior to application of the lubricant film.
Yet another object of the present invention is an apparatus for applying a thin film of lubricant to a preselected radial band portion of a magnetic disc, which apparatus vaporizes the lubricant material and converts the vaporized lubricant into a molecular beam for application to the preselected radial band portion.
Additional objects, advantages, and other features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages may be realized and obtained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved in part by a method for applying
REFERENCES:
patent: 5525392 (1996-06-01), Baum et al.
Pianalto Bernard
Seagate Technology Inc.
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