Lubrication studies of head-disk interfaces in a controlled environment: Part 1: Effects of disk texture, lubricant thermal treatment and lubricant additive on the durability of the head-disk interface

Decomposition and tribological performance of Z-Dol and X-1P lubricants on the magnetic recording thin-film disks are studied during sliding in a high-vacuum environment. Gaseous products generated from the head-disk interfaces and frictional force are detected and monitored as functions of the sliding distance by using a quadrupole mass spectrometer and friction measurements. The thin-film disks with mechanical and laser texture were used and different thermal treatments were applied to the lubricant films. The effects of the disk texture, lubricant thermal treatment and lubricant additive on the degradation and durability of head-disk interface, are studied in detail. Experimental results show that, firstly, fluorocarbon fragments are generated from lubricants during a period of sliding with a low and stable coefficient of friction, followed by a sharp rise in the frictional force and generation of gaseous products of diamond-like carbon overcoat material. The disk texture has effects on the decomposition of the lubricant and durability of the head-disk interface; the laser-textured disk surface caused Z-Dol lubricant to decompose at lower sliding distances and with more gaseous species compared with the mechanically textured disk. Thermal treatment of the lubricant films and the application of X-1P as an additive to the Z-Dol lubricant improved the durability of the head-disk interfaces.