Flat-Profile Tape–Head Friction and Magnetic Spacing

The friction and magnetic spacing between magnetic tape and a recording head are measured as a function of the wrap angle at several tape speeds and tape tensions for two tape samples with different roughnesses. An increase in friction and a decrease in magnetic spacing are measured for: 1) increasing wrap angle; 2) decreasing tape speed; and 3) increasing tape tension. The relation between the magnetic spacing and friction is fixed when varying the tape tension or wrap angle. For the rougher tape sample, reducing the tape speed (and adjusting the tape tension and wrap angle accordingly) reduces the magnetic spacing without increasing the friction. Although the smoother tape experiences more friction for a fixed wrap angle and tape tension, a smaller magnetic spacing at a specified friction is measured for it than for the rougher tape.