Tribological performance of PFPE and X-1P lubricants at head–disk interface. Part I. Experimental results

X-1P, a cyclic phosphazene lubricant, is studied and compared with polar perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant Z-Dol. Contact angles of lubricants are measured on different solid surfaces. Contact start-stop (CSS), drag, and ball-on-flat tests are performed and the results are discussed. Drag tests under high vacuum are also performed and discussed. Experimental results show that lubricant X-1P exhibits lower static friction and higher durability than lubricant Z-Dol, especially at high humidity. Higher durability is also observed for X-1P under the high vacuum condition compared with lubricant Z-Dol. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) overcoat on the Al₂O₃–TiC slider surface lowers friction and prolongs durability, especially for lubricant Z-Dol at high humidity, whereas for X-1P, there is no benefit of DLC. X-1P as an additive shows some improvement in durability at high humidity as compared to lubricant Z-Dol. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Tribological evaluation and analysis of the head/disk interface with perfluoropolyether and X1-P phosphazene mixed lubricants

The retention characteristics of magnetic thin film media coated with perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricants and a phosphazene additive, X-1P, were investigated in this study. The retention performance was evaluated by a drag test with a waffle head sliding against the disk that was designed to mechanically wear out the lubricant layer. An IR beam was aligned on the test track to directly measure the amount of PFPE lubricants and X-1P left on the media surfaces for determining the retention characteristics of the lubricants. The drag test results show that under ambient and hot/wet conditions the media coated with AM3001 PFPE lubricant have higher retention ratio on the test track than those coated with ZDOL 2000 PFPE lubricant. The phosphazene additive X-1P was observed to strongly anchor on the surface and not easily removed as PFPE lubricants (ZDOL and AM3001). The retention characteristics of X-1P are independent of lube combination, either AM or ZDOL lubricants. It is demonstrated that X1-P exhibits a good antiwear property and excellent retention performance. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Study on the cyclotriphosphazene film on magnetic head surface

Stable lubrication is very important to the slider/disk interface with the increasing demand on the life of computer hard disk drive (HDD). The inert lubricant perfluoropolyether (PFPE) on the surface of magnetic hard disk is still prone to be catalyzed to decomposition by the slider material Al₂O₃. The properties of a partial fluorinated hexaphenoxy cyclotriphosphazene, X-1P, are investigated and its function to reduce the catalytic decomposition of PFPE is discussed. The results of contact start–stop (CSS) tester indicate that the thermal stability of the lubricant was greatly improved in the presence of X-1P, and its film thickness has a great influence on the lubrication properties of the HDD.     

Wear durability studies of ultra-thin perfluoropolyether lubricant on magnetic hard disks

This paper presents wear and friction studies on ultra-thin (~2 nm) film of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) coated on glass substrate magnetic hard disks. The lubricant was coated on the disk by the dip-coating method and the tribological tests were carried out by sliding a 3 mm diameter glass ball slider (normal load=20 mN) on the rotating disk surface. Lube thickness and lube wear profile were measured using an ellipsometer whereas the worn disk surface was studied using a surface reflectivity analyzer. The sliding speed and the lube bonding conditions were varied during the test. From the results, it is concluded that about 80% bonding of the lube to the disk surface leads to an increase in the wear durability of the lubricant by a factor of 2 when compared to the as-lubed condition. Lube bonding has an effect on increasing the coefficient of friction. Initially, increasing sliding speed increases both friction and wear but for very high sliding speed these values tend to decrease. The glass ball surface showed wear due to asperity interactions as well as lube transfer from the disk to the glass surface.     

Initiation of lubricant catalytic decomposition by hydrogen evolution from contact sliding on CHx and CNx overcoats

Tribochemical studies of the head/disk interface (HDI) were conducted using hydrogenated (CHx) and nitrogenated (CNx) carbon disk samples coated with perfluoropolyether ZDOL lubricant. The studies involved drag tests with uncoated and carbon-coated Al₂O₃–TiC sliders and thermal desorption experiments in an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) tribochamber. We observed that the hydrogen evolution from CHx overcoats initiates lubricant catalytic decomposition with uncoated Al₂O₃/TiC sliders, forming CF₃ (69) and C₂F₅ (119). The generation of hydrofluoric acid (HF) during thermal desorption experiments provides the formation mechanism of Lewis acid, which is the necessary component for catalytic reaction causing Z-DOL lube degradation. On the other hand, for CNx films, lubricant catalytic decomposition was prevented due to less hydrogen evolution from the CNx overcoat. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Model for Lubricant Transfer from Media to Head During Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) Writing

One of the challenges in heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) is the creation of write-induced head contamination at the near-field transducer. A possible mechanism for the formation of this contamination is the transfer of lubricant from the disk to the slider (lubricant pickup) due to temperature-driven evaporation/condensation and/or mechanical interactions. Here we develop a continuum model that predicts the head-to-disk lubricant transfer during HAMR writing. The model simultaneously determines the thermocapillary shear stress-driven deformation and evaporation of the lubricant film on the disk, the convection and diffusion of the vapor phase lubricant in the air bearing and the evolution of the condensed lubricant film on the slider. The model also considers molecular interactions between disk–lubricant, slider–lubricant and lubricant–lubricant in terms of disjoining pressure. We investigate the effect of media temperature, head temperature and initial lubricant thickness on the lubricant transfer process. We find that the transfer mechanism is initially largely thermally driven. The rate of slider lubricant accumulation can be significantly reduced by decreasing the media temperature. However, as the amount of lubricant accumulation increases with time, a change in the transfer mechanism occurs from thermally driven to molecular interactions driven. A similar change in transfer mechanism is predicted as the head–disk spacing is reduced. There exists a critical value of head lubricant thickness and a critical head–disk spacing at which dewetting of the disk lubricant begins, leading to enhanced pickup.     

Perfluoropolyethers with Dialkylamine End Groups: Ultrastable Lubricant for Magnetic Disk Application

It has been shown earlier that addition of X1P (partially fluorinated hexaphenoxy cyclotriphosphazene) to the lubricant Z-DOL markedly increases the durability of the magnetic disk system. Its efficacy has been attributed to the strong nucleophilic property of the triphosphazene ring. It follows that perfluoropolyethers terminated with nucleophilic end groups should exhibit a durability comparable to that of the Z-DOL/X1P mixture. To this end perfluoropolyethers with dialkylamine end groups were conceived and synthesized as better alternatives to Z-DOL or to the Z-DOL/X1P mixed system. Examination of the newly synthesized lubricant revealed that (1) perfluoropolyethers with dialkylamine end groups are resistant to the degradation process catalyzed by Lewis acid (e.g., aluminum oxide), (2) disks lubricated with these lubes have durability significantly better than those lubricated with Z-DOL, (3) in the drive system with disks lubricated with these lubes, the issue of the silicon oxide formation from siloxane contaminant is effectively contained (owing to the absence of degraded lube), and (4) the HDI system with disks lubricated with these lubes performs well even in the most aggressive atmospheric condition, i.e., nitrogen with 0% relative humidity.     

Air Bearing Design to Prevent Reverse Flow from the Trailing Edge of the Slider

A simulation approach that relies on an analysis of the flow patterns closest to an air bearing surface (ABS) was used to predict the lubricant accumulation on the ABS of a head slider. The lubricant accumulation patterns obtained through the simulation were in good agreement with experimental results and with our experimental apparatus. We used this method to study and analyze flow pattern droplets close to the trailing edge of a number of sliders and found that there was a reverse flow from the slider’s trailing edge on both sides of the trailing pad and behind the read/write element, which could result in a lubricant accumulation on the slider surface close to the trailing edge of a slider and thus lead a transient slider vibration and magnetic-signal loss in a hard disk drive. Further simulations and analyses revealed that the reverse flow is dependent on the depth of slider surface on adjacent to the trailing edge of the slider, and that if the depth is less than a critical depth, which is dependent on the velocity of the disk, the reverse flow could be eliminated. On the basis of these findings, we propose a new ABS design concept for effectively suppressing the reverse flow of lubricants from the trailing edge of the slider. In this concept, the slider has a “smooth flow pad” and the depths of outlet recesses are specified as being smaller than the critical depth. It was confirmed by both simulation and experiment that lube accumulation on the slider surface is obviously decreased and the reliability of a hard disk drive with this air bearing design is consequently improved.     

Additive Mechanism Investigation of Perfluoropolyether Lubricants with a Phosphazene Additive

The tribological characteristics of magnetic thin film media coated with perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricants (ZDOL and AM300J) and a phosphazene additive (X-IP) were investigated in this study. The drag test results show that under ambient and hot/wet conditions the media coated with AM300J lubricant have higher retention on the test track than those coated with ZDOL 2000 PFPE lubricant. The phosphazene additive X-IP was observed to strongly anchored to the surface and was not as easily removed as PFPE lubricants alone. The retention characteristics of X-IP are independent of either AM or ZDOL. Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) depth profile data and Angle-Resolved X-Ray Photo-electron Spectroscopy (XPS) reveal that X-IP molecules were distributed near the disk surface in the X-IP and PFPE lubricants mixed layer, indicating a strong bonding/adhesion of X-IP to the disk surface. Together with the drag testing data, the authors conclude that the preferential distribution of X-IP close to the disk surface in the mixed layer helps to improve lubricant retention performance at the head-disk interface.     

Investigation of Slider Dynamics Considering Bias Voltage and Lubricant Charge in the Unsteady Proximity Condition

The relationship between slider and lubricant becomes increasingly important as the mechanical spacing between slider and disk is reduced to satisfy the demand for higher areal density. At a reduced flying height, the slider easily contacts the lubricant, which can cause slider instability. This study analyzed slider dynamics to improve the head–disk reliability in the unsteady proximity condition, considering bias voltages between the slider, disk, and lubricant. Force–distance curves were measured using atomic force microscopy to investigate changes in lubricant performance induced by an applied voltage. Additionally, the touch-down power and take-off power were measured under various applied voltage conditions. Experiments were carried out to estimate slider instability as a function of charged disk and slider conditions, to improve the slider dynamics in the unsteady proximity condition. The effect of the bias voltage induced by a voltage applied to the lubricant was carefully examined to accurately understand slider dynamics. The relationship between the lubricant behavior and the applied voltage was investigated; the voltage applied to the disk was more influential in improving slider dynamics. Consequently, the effects of bias voltage and lubricant, as induced by a charged disk, should be considered when analyzing slider dynamics to improve head–disk interface reliability in an unsteady proximity condition.     

Investigation of micro-phase separation of the additive,cyclotriphosphazene, in lubricant films of hard disk media

The micro-phase separation of the additive, cyclotriphosphazene (X-1P), in perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant films on hard disk media was studied. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) indicated that the small spots appearing on the disk surface consisted predominantly of X-1P. Observation using an atomic force microscope (AFM) revealed the micro-phase separation process to be the sudden, continuous appearance of new spots some time after coating the film. Some spots grew over previous ones, while some spots dissolved. Finally, they stopped growing and the number of spots became saturated. The solubility of X-1P in the lubricant film increased in the order of ZDIAC, ZDOL2000, ZDOL4000 and Z03, and that in bulk lubricant increased in the order of Z03, ZDOL4000, ZDOL2000 and ZDIAC. The order of solubility of X-1P in the film did not correspond to that in the bulk.     

Nanoscale boundary lubrication of diamond‐like carbon coatings with fluorinated compounds

Progress in the technology of magnetic media has brought about a remarkable increase in recording density. The most important factor determining the utility of magnetic disks is durability against head wear, and this durability is controlled by several factors. The present paper discusses the tribology of these media, particularly from the viewpoint of boundary lubrication. In that context there are two characteristic features of this lubrication regime: specific standard lubricants (fluoropolyethers such as Z‐DOL and perfluo‐ropolyethers such as Z‐15) and the newer application of these lubricants in the form of films only a few nanometers thick Advanced phosphazene‐type fluorinated compounds are of most interest at present, so these compounds are discussed in more detail. The emphasis is on X‐1P lubricant used either alone or as an additive for fluoro‐ and perfluoropolyethers deposited on protective diamond‐like carbon coatings.     

Study of additive‐additive interactions in a lubricant system by NMR,ESCA, and thermal techniques

Engine oil lubricants are formulated with a variety of additive components at different dosages to obtain the desired physico‐chemical characteristics. Antiwear, friction modification/energy efficiency, dispersancy, and detergency properties are normally achieved by the use of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) and ashless alkyl phosphorodithioate, polyisobutylene succinimide (PIBS), and metal sulphonates / phenates, respectively. It has been reported that these additives interact with each other and affect the overall performance of a lubricant system. The additive‐additive interactions have been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared spectroscopic techniques, where attention has been mainly focused on the ZDDP‐PIBS additive system in the presence or absence of other additives. The results have been used to relate the synergistic or antagonistic effects of such interactions to the overall performance of a lubricant. Recently, MoDTC has found wider application in lubricants as a friction modifier and energy‐efficient additive. However, no studies of the additive‐additive interactions of the PIBS‐MoDTC‐ZDDP additive system using analytical techniques have been reported. The present paper covers the fundamental and mechanistic aspects of additive‐additive interactions of ZDDP, MoDTC, PIBS, and sulphonate / phenate additives present in a lubricant system as studied by ³¹P NMR, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. ESCA, which is a surface analytical technique, has been used to provide basic evidence for the formation of various complexes through interactions occurring in the electronic binding energies of orbitals of various atoms of the additives. The ESCA studies have also revealed the actual atomic sites of interaction between the additives responsible for the formation of adducts or complexes. The differential scanning calorimetry profiles of blends have verified the interactions among the additives and shown that the stability of the additive system is quite different from that of the additives alone. The shifts in the ³¹P NMR signals, the changes in the binding energies of the s, p, and d orbitals of additive elements, and the multistage decomposition profiles in the TGA thermograms of interacting systems due to complexion and adduct formation have enabled a mechanism of interaction to be proposed.     

Investigation of Lubricant Transfer between Slider and Disk Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation

A model for lubricant transfer from a rotating magnetic recording disk to a magnetic recording slider is developed using molecular dynamics simulation. The combined effect of disk velocity and local air-bearing pressure changes on lubricant transfer is investigated. The simulation results indicate that local pressure changes in the absence of disk circumferential velocity can cause lubricant redistribution on the disk, while local pressure changes on a moving disk can result in lubricant transfer from the disk to the slider. The amount of lubricant transferred from the disk to the slider and the lubricant buildup on the disk are a function of the local pressure change and disk velocity. The amount of lubricant transferred from the disk to the slider and the height of lubricant buildup on the disk surface decrease with an increase in the number of functional groups of the disk, a decrease in the local pressure change, and a decrease in the disk circumferential velocity.     

Computational Chemistry of Soluble Additives for Perfluoropolyalkylether Liquid Lubricants

Computational chemistry has been applied in a practical manner to a perfluoropolyalkylether (PFPAE) liquid lubricant research and development program. Additives have been previously shown to be effective in a PFPAE liquid lubricant candidate gas turbine engine oil base fluid as oxidation inhibitors/metal deactivators, lubricity additives and antirust additives. In this effort, low energy configuration computer models of the base fluid and of selected additives were created. Simulated docking of the additive molecules in the base fluid media, onto low carbon steel and onto iron oxide substrates, provided information on the strength of the substrate/additive interactions. Also, the visual representation of each additive molecule's alignment on the metallic surface has provided insight into selection of the optimnum functionality in designing new additives. Data on the additive/metal attraction and corresponding additive effectiveness are presented.     

Tribological performance of PFPE and X-1P lubricants at head–disk interface. Part II. Mechanisms

This paper, with the concepts of hydrogen bonding interaction and tribo-emission, develops a new approach of the mechanism of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant degradation at the head–disk interface. The role of lubricant X-1P in tribological performance is also described. The mechanism is as follows: (1) at the interface, there exist hydrogen atoms with partial positive charge and oxygen atoms with partial negative charge; (2) hydrogen bonding interactions at the sliding interface result in high friction which depletes the lubricant film at some sites; (3) low energy electrons are emitted from the sites with solid–solid asperity contact, inducing C–O bond scission through the interaction of low-energy electrons with PFPE lubricant molecules. Carbon overcoat on Al₂O₃–TiC surface passivates the interaction between water and PFPE lubricant molecules. Hydrogen bonding interactions are minimized during the presence of lubricant X-1P. The new approach well explains experimental results in part I of the paper. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of Pitch and Roll Static Angle on Lubricant Transfer Between Disk and Slider

A precision spin stand was used to study the effects of pitch static angle and roll static angle on lubricant transfer between a disk and a slider in a hard disk drive. The lubricant distribution on the slider was determined by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, while the lubricant distribution on the disks was obtained using optical surface analysis. Lubricant transfer from the disk to the slider was found to increase as a function of the pitch static angle of the slider. Negative roll static angles were found to have a larger effect on lubricant transfer and the formation of lubricant moguls than positive roll static angles. Suspension frequencies and pitch mode frequencies were observed in the lubricant mogul patterns for negative roll static angles.     

Design of Carbon Surface Functional Groups on the Viewpoint of Lubricant Layer Structure

Chemical modification technique with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used for a quantitative analysis of surface functional groups of the carbon overcoats. As the nitrogen content in the carbon overcoat layer increases, the total abundance of functional groups on the carbon overcoat surface increases. The increase of the functional groups leads to an increase of a physisorbed lubricant layer ratio.

Increase of the physisorbed layer ratio on the carbon overcoat surface showed a higher durability on the head/disk interface, and decreased the spin-off of the lubricant on a high rotation of the disk. The increase of the physisorbed layer leads to a higher recovery of the lubricant defect by the wear, and the increase of functional groups on the carbon overcoat surface leads to a stronger interaction of the lubricant with the carbon overcoat surface is estimated.     

Polysiloxane substituent influence on the foaming of polyolesters and polyolester turbine engine lubricants

Parts-per-million (ppm) quantities of polysiloxanes with different molecular structures have varying effects on the foaminess of a polyolester, trimethylolpropaneheptanoate (TMPH), and a formulated synthetic polyolester gas turbine engine lubricant. At the 100 ppm concentration evaluated in a standard foam test, TMPH-polysiloxane mixtures that exhibit lower interfacial surface tension produced copious quantities of foam. Estimates of Lewis acid-base interaction and solubility of the additive in the polyolester are not helpful in predicting foaminess. Consideration of additive polymeric structure, the potential for increased additive molecular entanglement due to substituent length, and interaction of adjacent polysiloxane molecules at the surface, are helpful in rationalising differences observed in foaming. Some lubricant additives, such as antioxidants and antiwear agents, appear to enhance the profoamant tendencies of selected polysiloxanes.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Lubricant Redistribution and Transfer at Near-Contact Head-Disk Interface

When the spacing between the slider and lubricant in a hard disk drive decreases to less than 5 nm, the effect of the intermolecular force between these two surfaces can no longer be ignored. This effect on the lubricant distribution at the near-contact head disk interface is investigated via molecular dynamics method. In this study, the lubricant is confined between a smooth disk surface and a rough slider surface represented as a partially cosinusoidal wave. The simulation results reveal that the intermolecular force-induced meniscus formation at the near-contact head disk interface is strongly sensitive to the slider-to-disk separation, lubricant film thickness and the asperity shape (or roughness) of the slider. The attractive van der Waals forces between the slider and lubricant become weaker with increasing slider-to-disk separation and asperity mid-height, but decreasing lubricant film thickness and asperity mid-width. The Hamaker theory application to van der Waals interactions is also introduced to verify the molecular dynamics simulation. It is found that the critical separation, below which the lubricant will lose its stability to form a meniscus, increases approximately linearly with the lubricant film thickness, for slider surfaces with or without roughness both in the molecular dynamics simulation and Hamaker theory application to van der Waals interactions. Moreover, it is observed that the critical separation between a smooth disk and rough slider surface will slightly decrease when the asperity mid-height increases. The same phenomenon is observed when the asperity mid-width reduces.