Lubricant Bonding Effects on Thin Film Disk Tribology

• Published in: Tribology transactions Vol. 44; no. 2; pp. 249 - 255
• Main Authors: Karis, T. E., Tyndall, G. W., Waltman, R. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2001; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic Data Storage Systems Tribology Hard Disks; Magnetic devices; Other magnetic recording and storage devices (including tapes, disks, and drums); Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Synthetic Lubricants Fluorocarbons; Relative humidity; Synthetic lubricant; Data storage; Durability; High temperature; Fluorocarbon; Hard disk; Thin film; Magnetic recording; Lubricant
• ISSN: 1040-2004; 1547-397X
• DOI: 10.1080/10402000108982455

The magnetic recording industry predominantly uses Zdol to lubricate the carbon overcoat of magnetic recording disks. Zdol comprises a perfluoropolyether chain terminated with hydroxyl end groups that are capable of reversibly bonding to the carbon overcoat. Contact start/stop (CSS) tests were done to investigate the effects of Zdol lubricant bonding, thickness, and relative humidity on durability. The durability improved with increasing thickness of fully bonded or mobile Zdol. The durability decreased with increasing initial bonded fraction and with decreasing relative humidity. The bonded fraction increased with time during the tests at elevated temperature and low relative humidity. Presented as a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Paper at the ASME/STLE Tribology Conference in Seattle, Washington, October 1-4, 2000