| Abstract: | With the increase in the recording density of hard disk systems, the demand on the increase in the data recording capacity of tape drive systems as back-up systems is increasing. One of the advantages of the tape drive systems is high volumetric recording density, which is obtained by high areal recording density and thin tapes. The areal recording density can be increased by introducing high performance tapes, such as metal evaporated tapes, with superior magnetic characteristics and smooth magnetic surface to reduce the spacing loss. However, a smoother surface often produces a higher friction coefficient, which could cause tape damage by rotary heads and unstable tape runnability in the tape drives. Adoption of MR heads to tape drive systems is also effective in increasing the areal recording density. However, the wear allowance of the MR heads (shield type) is much smaller than that of the inductive heads. Thinner tapes show lower mechanical stiffness in general, which could cause damage to tape edges easily during tape transportation. In the second or later generation of tape drive systems, a thinner tape is often introduced. These thinner tapes should also have the interchangeability of the original thickness tape. New materials for a base film, such as PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) or aramid in which the elastic moduli are larger than those of PET, are required for thinner tapes. It was found that these side effects by the increase in the volumetric recording density can be improved by tribology. The tribological improvements from the drive design side is very important, as well as from the tape design side. |
