Nanowear studies of PFPE lubricant on magnetic perpendicular recording DLC-film-coated disk by lateral oscillation test

Lubricants are commonly applied onto disks. In this research, studies of the perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant effect on the nanowear-resistance property of two PFPE-lubricant-coated magnetic perpendicular recording diamond like carbon (DLC) film disks with and without thermal cure were conducted by the lateral oscillation test technique. Using a lateral modulation friction force microscope (LM-FFM), the lateral oscillation wear test was performed by sliding an AFM diamond tip (radius of about 30 nm) over a disk sample while moving the sample in the x direction and simultaneously applying it with a vibration in the y direction. By comparing the surface profile, friction force and dynamic deformation performance of a friction area with those of a no-friction area, the behavior of the lubricant on the surface of the magnetic disk and damage on the magnetic disk were evaluated. The results showed that the wear-resistance property of the disk improved due to the presence of free lubricant on the disk surface. Furthermore, the nanowear properties are compared to the macrodurability properties obtained in oscillation scratch experiments.