Micro/Nanomechanical and Tribological Studies of Bulk and Thin-Film Materials Used in Magnetic Recording Heads

Author(s)

Xiaodong Li, University of South Carolina - ColumbiaFollow
Bharat Bhushan

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Micro/nanomechanical characterization of the bulk Al₂O₃–TiC and Ni–Zn ferrite, and thin films of Co–Zr–Ta and Al₂O₃ used in magnetic recording heads have been carried out. Hardness, elastic modulus and scratch resistance of these materials were measured by nanoindentation and microscratching using a nanoindenter. Fracture toughness was measured by indentation using cube corner and Vickers indenters. Friction and wear properties for these materials were measured using an accelerated ball-on-flat tribometer. Al₂O₃–TiC shows the highest hardness, elastic modulus and scratch resistance as well as the lowest wear damage, followed by the Ni–Zn ferrite, Al₂O₃ films, and Co–Zr–Ta film. The Co–Zr–Ta film exhibits the highest fracture toughness, followed by the Al₂O₃–TiC, Al₂O₃ films and Ni–Zn ferrite. There exists a good correlation between mechanical properties and wear damage. Higher mechanical properties result in less wear damage. In general, the bulk Al₂O₃–TiC and Ni–Zn ferrite show lower damage than the Co–Zr–Ta and Al₂O₃ films. For the thin films studied, the Al₂O₃ films show higher mechanical properties and less scratch and wear damage.

Publication Info

Published in Thin Solid Films, Volume 389-399, 2001, pages 313-319.

Rights

Copyright Elsevier, 2001.

Li, X., & Bhushan, B. (2001). Micro/Nanomechanical and Tribological Studies of Bulk and Thin-Film Materials Used in Magnetic Recording Heads. Thin Solid Films, 398-399: 313-319.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0040-6090(01)01343-8