Investigation of contact deformation and wear characteristics of discrete track recording media

Abstract

The contact deformation and wear characteristics of smooth and discrete track recording (DTR) media are investigated using nano-indentation and nano-scratch testing. Plastic deformation of the land areas between adjacent grooves was found to be substantially larger than in the smooth regions of the same disk. Reciprocating wear tests showed that wear was more severe for discrete track disks than for smooth disks. To improve the tribology of DTR media, planarization of discrete track disks appears to be necessary.