The mechanism of wear in magnetic recording disk files

Abstract

An investigation has been made of the mechanism of wear occurring in magnetic recording disk files, by simulating the wear magnetic head and disk using spherical probes in sliding contact with the magnetic medium. Linear dependence of probe wear, seemingly abrasive in nature, is observed as a function of sliding distance, whereas nonlinear dependence of probe wear is observed as a function of load and sliding speed. Autoradiographic investigations using irradiated spherical probes indicate that probe wear, material transfer, and medium wear are strongly interrelated. The dependence of signal loss on medium wear is seen to be in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions. Agreement is also observed for the magnitude of probe and slider wear at low velocities, where negligible hydrodynamic effects are present. © 1974.