Time-dependent mechanical properties and tribological behavior of magnetic tapes

The continuous stiffness measurement (CSM) technique was used to study the contact stiffness, elastic modulus, hardness, and creep behavior of metal-particle (MP) magnetic tapes and their individual layers and substrates. Nanoscratch and wear experiments were conducted using a nanoindenter with a nanoscratch attachment and a ball-on-flat tribometer, respectively. The good correlation between mechanical properties and scratch/wear damage was found. The tapes with higher mechanical properties have less scratch/wear damage and longer drive life. The underlayer plays an important role in determining the quality of magnetic layer and the adhesion between the magnetic layer and substrate. Backcoat shows lower mechanical propel-ties and higher scratch/wear damage. Finally, the relationship between tape structures and mechanical/tribological properties is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.