The effect of chemical and surface properties of hydrogenated carbon overcoats on the tribological performance of rigid magnetic disks

• Published in: IEEE transactions on magnetics 1993-01, Vol.29 (1), p.276-281
• Main Authors: Lee, J.K., Smallen, M., Enguero, J., Lee, H.J., Chao, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical analysis; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Drag; Electrical resistance measurement; Exact sciences and technology; Fourier transforms; Hydrogen; Mechanical factors; Physical properties of thin films, nonelectronic; Physics; Raman scattering; Spectroscopy; Surface resistance; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Testing
• ISSN: 0018-9464; 1941-0069
• DOI: 10.1109/20.195582

The chemical and surface properties of hydrogenated carbon films were evaluated by using various surface and bulk analytical techniques. These properties were then related to the disks' tribological performance. The techniques used included hydrogen forward scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, resistance measurements, contact angle measurements, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, drag tests, and a chemical reactivity test. As the hydrogen content of the carbon films increased from 16 to 53%, the carbon bonding character changed from sp/sup 2/ to sp/sup 3/. This change in chemical properties improved the film's mechanical and physical properties, which, in turn, led to improved mechanical durability in the drag tests. Incorporation of H into the films passivated the carbon dangling bonds at the film's surface. This change at the films' surface prevented oxidation and improved the performance of the films in the chemical reactivity test.< >