The tribology of flexible magnetic recording media—the influence of wear on signal performance

The tribology of magnetic recording systems is different to conventional tribology in many important aspects and an understanding of this branch of the science is still in its infancy. This paper presents a review of one specific aspect of the tribology of flexible tape storage systems, that is wear of heads and media and the effect on signal performance. Based on the work of this author's group and others and with reference to classical tribological principles, the various mechanisms of wear have been identified in particulate media, metal evaporated media and various recording head types and have been discussed in terms of the effect of signal degradation and error or drop out production. From this review, the wear mechanisms and surface and subsurface parameters which should have the most influence on the future development of media and systems are identified.