Magnetic media durability: a system´s approach

A series of test methods has been identified which can be used to evaluate media durability. Test schemes have been developed for high-density flexible disk media. These schemes are combined test schemes of accelerated failure testing and simulated long-term drive testing. The results were correlated to a final system long-term testing. This final test scheme can be extended to any other media durability test method by modifying the operating conditions and system variables, such as flying height, head-media coupling pressure, and speed, and by using an appropriate head penetration for the system. On the basis of the proposed test schemes, a relative ranking of media durability was assessed. In addition, development of a working hypothesis of wear mechanism was attempted by examining physical wear patterns generated at various states of the testing.<>