U.S. patent application number 09/784218 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-30 for magnetic hard disk drive and process for producing the same.
Invention is credited to Endo, Yoshishige, Horiguchi, Yasuyuki, Ikeda, Yukiko, Inoue, Youichi, Ishii, Nobuyuki, Ito, Yutaka, Narisawa, Osamu, Tokisue, Hiromitsu, Yonekawa, Sunao, Yoshimura, Yasuhiro, Yuyama, Hiroshi.
Application Number | 20010018094 09/784218 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26473957 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010018094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tokisue, Hiromitsu ; et
al. |
August 30, 2001 |
Magnetic hard disk drive and process for producing the same
Abstract
A magnetic hard disk drive comprising a magnetic disk and a
magnetic head slider, characterized in that said magnetic head
slider is coated with a layer having a contact angle of 50.degree.
or more when measured by using a lubricant coated on the magnetic
disk, is free from start failure due to stiction caused by adhesion
of the lubricant to the slider surface.
Inventors: |
Tokisue, Hiromitsu;
(Ibaraki-ken, JP) ; Yonekawa, Sunao; (Odawara-shi,
JP) ; Ishii, Nobuyuki; (Odawara-shi, JP) ;
Horiguchi, Yasuyuki; (Odawara-shi, JP) ; Endo,
Yoshishige; (Tsuchiura-shi, JP) ; Yoshimura,
Yasuhiro; (Ibaraki-ken, JP) ; Ito, Yutaka;
(Takahagi-shi, JP) ; Narisawa, Osamu;
(Odawara-shi, JP) ; Yuyama, Hiroshi; (Odawara-shi,
JP) ; Inoue, Youichi; (Ryugasaki-shi, JP) ;
Ikeda, Yukiko; (Ibaraki-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENYON & KENYON
1500 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 700
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
26473957 |
Appl. No.: |
09/784218 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09784218 |
Feb 16, 2001 |
|
|
|
09080417 |
May 18, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
427/127 ;
427/523; 427/533; 427/558; G9B/5.034; G9B/5.231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 5/40 20130101; G11B
5/6005 20130101; G11B 5/10 20130101; G11B 5/41 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
427/127 ;
427/558; 427/533; 427/523 |
International
Class: |
B05D 003/06; B05D
005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 30, 1997 |
JP |
09-141790 |
Jun 23, 1997 |
JP |
09-165671 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of forming a protective film on magnetic head slider
having a slider surface comprising chemically bonding a terminal
group of a fluorine-containing silane compound to said slider
surface to form a one layer structure made of said
fluorine-containing silane compound on said slider surface.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorine-containing
silane compound is a fluoro-alkylsilane monomer of the formula:
F.sub.3C--(CF.sub.2)n--(CH.sub.2)m--SiX.sub.3 (2) wherein X is an
alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogen or a cyano
group; n is an integer of 0 to 13; and m is an integer of 0 to
10.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the chemical bonding is
obtained by conducting an activation treatment of the slider
surface.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the activation treatment
is a plasma surface treatment, an ion implantation method or
ultraviolet light irradiation.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorine-containing
silane compound is a fluoroalkylsilane oligomer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a magnetic hard disk drive and a
process for producing the same, more particularly, to a magnetic
hard disk drive having loaded therein a magnetic disk and a
magnetic head slider for preventing the start failure due to
stiction between the magnetic head slider and the magnetic
disk.
[0002] As a method for preventing the start failure of a magnetic
hard disk drive due to the stiction, it is known to be effective to
allow the magnetic disk-facing surface of the slider to have a low
surface energy, thereby inhibiting the adhesion and buildup of a
lubricant or grease onto the slider. That is to say, there is such
a phenomenon that during the long term operation of the drive, the
lubricant applied to the magnetic disk and the grease applied to a
spindle bearing or a carriage bearing adhere to and build up on the
slider and, after the stopping of the drive, they spread into the
contact space between the slider and the magnetic disk to fill up
the space, and consequently, a great adsorption force acts on
between the slider and the magnetic disk by the meniscus force in
the space, whereby the slider and the magnetic disk adhere to each
other. It is the technique which intends to prevent, in this case,
the buildup of the lubricant and grease on the slider by allowing
the magnetic disk-facing surface of the slider to have a low
surface energy, and consequently prevent the start failure.
[0003] As a prior technique for allowing the magnetic disk-facing
surface of the slider to have a low surface energy, JP-A 63-64,684
discloses that a layer having a lower surface energy than that of
the constituting material of the slider body, for example, a
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer is provided on the surface
portion not contacting the magnetic disk on the magnetic
disk-facing surface of the slider to which a magnetic head is
attached.
[0004] However, according to the prior technique disclosed in JP-A
63-64,684, the magnetic disk-facing surface of the slider is
composed of a PTFE layer having a low surface energy, and since the
surface energy of PTFE is 15 mN/m, it has an effect of repelling
the grease to prevent the grease from adhering to the slider.
However, the surface is insufficient in ability to repel a
lubricant for magnetic disk which lubricant has a surface energy as
low as about 20 mN/m, and hence, there has been such a problem that
it is difficult to prevent the lubricant from adhering to the
slider and consequently prevent the start failure of the magnetic
hard disk drive due to the stiction resulting from the
lubricant.
[0005] From the above surface energy values of the PTFE and
lubricant, it has been inferred that the contact angle of the
lubricant on the magnetic disk-facing surface of the slider
provided with the PTFE layer is about 40.degree. and, at such a low
contact angle, the sufficient prevention of the lubricant from
adhering to the slider is difficult.
[0006] On the other hand, in JP-A 54-58,736, a method is proposed
which comprises treating the surface of a slider with an alkali and
thereafter adhering thereto a material having a fluorinated alkyl
group and a terminal halogen, cyano or alkoxyl group to form a low
surface energy layer.
[0007] When the surface to be treated is treated with an alkali, it
has an effect of enhancing the adherability of the above-mentioned
material having a fluorinated alkyl group and a terminal halogen,
cyano or alkoxyl group, but has such a disadvantage that the
magnetic layer of the magnetic head existing at the back end of the
slider is eroded. Moreover, when the surface of the slider is
composed of a non-metal such as a carbonaceous material or the
like, there has been such a problem that the above-mentioned
terminal group hardly adheres and the stability thereof becomes
very low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of this invention is to overcome the disadvantages
of the prior art and to provide a magnetic hard disk drive in which
a lubricant applied to a magnetic disk is prevented from adhering
to the magnetic disk-facing surface of a slider and the start
failure due to stiction resulting from adhesion of the lubricant is
prevented and also a process for producing the above-mentioned
magnetic hard disk drive.
[0009] This invention provides a magnetic hard disk drive
comprising a magnetic disk for recording signals and a magnetic
head slider facing the magnetic disk and including a magnetic head
element for recording and reproducing information by scanning on
the revolving magnetic disk, said slider being coated with a layer
having a contact angle of 50.degree. or more when measured by using
a lubricant coated on the magnetic disk.
[0010] This invention also provides a magnetic hard disk drive
comprising a magnetic disk for recording signals and a magnetic
head slider facing the magnetic disk and including a magnetic head
element for recording and reproducing information by scanning on
the revolving magnetic disk, said slider being coated with a layer
of at least one member selected from the group consisting of
hydrocarbon compounds, fluorinated carbon compounds and
fluorine-containing silane compounds (or fluorosilane
compounds).
[0011] This invention further provides a magnetic hard disk drive
comprising a magnetic disk for recording signals and a magnetic
head slider facing the magnetic disk and including a magnetic head
element for recording and reproducing information by scanning on
the revolving magnetic disk, said slider having a protective layer
and a fluorosilane compound layer thereon on the surface facing the
magnetic disk, said fluorosilane compound layer being formed after
activation treatment of the protective layer surface.
[0012] In this case, the same effect is obtained even when
ultraviolet light irradiation is conducted before or after or both
before and after the formation of the fluorosilane compound
layer.
[0013] This invention still further provides a process for
producing the above-mentioned magnetic hard disk drives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the magnetic hard disk drive
of this invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the magnetic
disk-facing surface of a magnetic head slider.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view explaining a contact angle.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the surface state of the
magnetic disk-facing surface (bleed surface) of a magnetic head
slider before a fluoroalkylsilane is allowed to adhere thereto.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the surface state of the
bleed surface of a magnetic head slider after a fluoroalkylsilane
has been allowed to adhere thereto.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a magnetic head slider
and a magnetic disk which are under operation.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a graph showing a relation between the built-up
adhered amount of grease to a magnetic head slider and the contact
angle of the grease on the surface of the slider.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a graph showing a relation between the stiction
force acting on between a magnetic head slider and a magnetic disk
and the built-up adhered amount of grease to the slider.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the surface state of the
bleed surface of the magnetic head slider in Example 2.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the magnetic head slider
in Example 3 relating to this invention.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an oil repellent polymer
layer on the magnetic head slider surface shown in FIG. 10.
[0025] FIGS. 12A to 12E are explanatory views showing the process
of the surface adhesion of a silane type oil repellent in the
Example shown in FIG. 10.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a view showing the result of a test of the
lubricant contact angle of the magnetic head slider in the Example
shown in FIG. 10 in comparison with a conventional example.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a view showing the result of a test of the static
friction force of the magnetic head slider in the Example shown in
FIG. 10 in comparison with a conventional example.
[0028] FIG. 15 is a view showing the result of a test of the static
friction force of the magnetic head slider in Example 4 relating to
this invention in comparison with a conventional example.
[0029] FIG. 16 is a view showing the result of a test of the static
friction force of the magnetic head slider in Example 5 relating to
this invention in comparison with a conventional example.
[0030] FIG. 17 is a graph showing the center line average height
dependency of a magnetic disk in relation to static friction force
when the magnetic head slider subjected to oil repellent treatment
of this invention is used.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The present inventors have found that in order to prevent a
certain liquid material from adhering to a magnetic head slider, it
is necessary to allow the magnetic disk-facing surface of the
slider to have so low a surface energy that when the magnetic
disk-facing surface of the slider is subjected to measurement of
contact angle using the above liquid material, the contact angle
becomes 50.degree. or more, and have reached this invention.
[0032] The magnetic hard disk drive of this invention comprises a
magnetic disk for recording signals and a magnetic head slider
facing the magnetic disk and including a magnetic head element for
recording and reproducing information by scanning on the revolving
magnetic disk, said slider being coated with a layer having a
contact angle of 50.degree. or more when measured by using a
lubricant coated on the magnetic disk.
[0033] The above magnetic hard disk drive has such a structure as
shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, a magnetic disk 1 for recording signals
is fixed to a spindle 3 and revolved in this state, and above the
surface of this revolving magnetic disk 1, a magnetic head slider 2
provided with a magnetic head element for recording and reproducing
information is moved approximately in the radial direction of the
magnetic disk 1 through a suspension 4 by means of a carriage
5.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the magnetic disk
1-facing surface of a magnetic head slider 2, comprising a flying
rail 7a composed of a crossrail having a taper 8 at an entrance end
and a side rail for generating a flying force; and a center rail 7b
having attached thereto a magnetic head element 6. The bleed
surface 9 depressed several micrometers from the plane of these
rails is required to satisfy that when the contact angle of a
lubricant coated on the magnetic disk is indicated as .theta., the
.theta. value obtained when the said lubricant is dropped on the
bleed surface 9 is 500 or more. In FIG. 2, 6 refers to a magnetic
head element and 10 to the back end face.
[0035] The contact angle .theta. of the lubricant 11 on the slider
surface (bleed surface) 9 is measured in such a manner as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0036] Moreover, the relation between the surface energy of the
lubricant and the contact angle .theta. is represented by the
following equation:
[0037] .gamma..sub.2=.gamma..sub.1.times.cos.theta.+.gamma..sub.12
(1)
[0038] wherein .gamma..sub.1 is the surface energy of the
lubricant, .gamma..sub.2 is the surface energy of the slider
surface, and .gamma..sub.12 is the interface energy between the
slider surface and the lubricant.
[0039] In this invention, it is necessary that the slider face of
the magnetic head slider satisfy the conditions that the contact
angle .theta. determined using the above lubricant or grease is
50.degree. or more (preferably 110.degree. or less, more preferably
106.degree. or less).
[0040] The above conditions are determined as follows:
[0041] FIG. 6 shows the side sectional view of the magnetic head
slider 2 and the magnetic disk 1 which are under operation. The
slider 2 is flown above the surface of the magnetic disk 1 through
an air layer in substantially no contact. Alternatively, as shown
in the Figure, the slider 2 travels while the center rail 7b
thereof is in contact with the magnetic disk 1. In order to prevent
the slider 2 and the magnetic disk 1 from being abraded and damaged
when the two are contacted with each other, a lubricant 11 such as
a perfluoropolyether is coated on the surface of the magnetic disk
1.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, when the slider 2 is flown above or
traveled in contact with the surface of the magnetic disk 1, the
lubricant 11 adheres to and builds up on the bleed surface 9 of the
slider 2. In order to quantify the relation between the built-up
adhered amount and the surface energy of the slider 2, grease is
used as the adhering liquid to determine the built-up adhered
amount of grease to the slider 2 after the continuous operation for
1,000 hours and the contact angle of grease on the surface of the
slider 2.
[0043] The built-up adhered amount of grease is indicated by the
value (mm.sup.2) obtained by allowing the slider to stand on the
magnetic disk, then peeling off the slider, and measuring the
adhering area on the circular plate surface of the grease
transferred to the circular plate remaining thereafter.
[0044] The relation between the built-up adhered amount and the
contact angle is shown in FIG. 7 and the relation between the
stiction force generated at that time and the built-up adhered
amount is shown in FIG. 8. As shown by solid line in FIG. 7, it is
understood that when the contact angle of grease on the surface of
the slider 2 is 50.degree. or more, the grease does not adhere to
the slider 2. In addition, at this time, namely when the built-up
adhered amount of grease to the slider 2 is zero, it is understood
from FIG. 8 that the stiction force stands still at a value as
small as about 2 gf which is the same as in the initial state.
[0045] Here, the built-up adhered amount is inferred to be zero at
a contact angle of 50.degree. or more based on the solid line in
FIG. 7. However, the data shown in FIG. 7 include variation of
measurement. In order to adjust the built-up adhered amount of
grease to zero even under the worst conditions of variation, the
contact angle of grease on the surface of the slider 2 is desirably
55.degree. or more as shown by the broken line in the Figure and,
at said contact angle, the built-up adhered amount is more surely
made zero, and hence, said contact angle is preferable.
[0046] In the above, the contact angle .theta. is measured using
grease. However, the present inventors have confirmed that even
when the lubricant on the magnetic disk surface is used, the same
result is obtained.
[0047] As stated above, in order to allow the magnetic disk-facing
surface of the magnetic head slider to satisfy that the contact
angle .theta. is 50.degree. or more as measured using grease or the
lubricant on the magnetic disk, it is considered necessary to
subject the slider surface to a treatment such as coating with a
special material or the like.
[0048] Here, as the special material, there is preferably used at
least one compound selected from the group consisting of
hydrocarbon compounds, fluorinated carbon compounds and
fluorine-containing silane compounds (or fluorosilane
compounds).
[0049] As the hydrocarbon compounds, there are preferably used, for
example, fatty acids such as stearic acid and the like.
[0050] As the fluorinated carbon compounds, there are preferably
used fluoroalkyl salts (e.g., FC 93), fluoroalkyl azides,
fluoroalkyl isocyanates (e.g., C.sub.8F.sub.17NCO), fluoroether
alkyl azides (e.g., Fomblin azide,
N.sub.3COO--R--Fomblin--OCON.sub.3), fluorocarbon, fluoroether,
fluorinated graphite and the like.
[0051] As the fluorine-containing silane compounds or fluorosilane
compounds, there are preferably used fluoroalkylsilane monomers
represented by the formula (2):
F.sub.3C--(CF.sub.2).sub.n--(CH.sub.2).sub.m--SiX.sub.3 (2)
[0052] wherein X represents an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a halogen or a cyano group; n represents an integer of 0 to
13; and m represents an integer of 0 to 10; oligomers obtained from
the above fluoroalkylsilane monomers; and fluoroalkylsilane
derivatives.
[0053] As others, there can be used aminosilanes (e.g.,
NH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--Si(OCH.sub.3).sub.3),
fluoroplastics (e.g., Cylop, mfd. by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., 1
[0054] M.W.=2,000) and the like.
[0055] The oligomer of fluoroalkylsilane can be produced from
fluoroalkylsilane monomer by the following methods:
[0056] A first method is a method which comprises adding an acid
(e.g., hydrochloric acid) to a fluoroalkylsilane monomer, stirring
them, thereafter adding to the mixed solution a solvent which
dissolves the resulting oligomer of the fluoroalkylsilane (e.g., a
fluorine-containing solvent) and subjecting the oligomer of the
fluoroalkylsilane together with the above solvent to solvent
extraction.
[0057] This method has such an effect that the liquid can be
prevented from being gelated by the rapid bonding of the
fluoroalkylsilane caused upon adding water or an alkali for
diluting or neutralizing the acid added.
[0058] A second method is a method which comprises adding an acid
(e.g., hydrochloric acid) to a fluoroalkylsilane monomer, stirring
them, thereafter adding deionized water to the resulting mixed
solution, removing the separated water phase, and repeating one or
more times the steps of addition of deionized water and removal of
water phase to substantially remove the acid in the mixed solution
and thereafter extracting the resulting oligomer of the
fluoroalkylsilane as an organic phase.
[0059] Alternatively, there is a method which comprises adding an
acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid) to a fluoroalkylsilane monomer,
stirring them, thereafter adding an alkali (e.g., sodium hydroxide)
to the resulting mixed solution to make the mixed solution
substantially neutral, further adding deionized water to the mixed
solution, removing the separated water phase, adding deionized
water again to the residue, repeating the above steps and
thereafter extracting the resulting oligomer of the
fluoroalkylsilane as an organic phase.
[0060] This method has such an effect that the oligomer of the
fluoroalkylsilane can be extracted in the state that the purity is
approximately 100%.
[0061] As the magnetic disk in the magnetic hard disk drive of this
invention, there can be used those which can be usually used in the
art. The magnetic disk is composed of, for example, a NiP-plated
disk substrate, a Cr intermediate layer formed thereon, a magnetic
layer provided thereon and a sliding protective layer provided
thereon (e.g., carbon protective layer).
[0062] Even if the contact angle .theta. is slightly smaller than
500, the same effect as obtained by adjusting the contact angle
.theta. of such a lubricant to 50.degree. or more can be obtained
by combining it with an activation treatment prior to or after the
formation of the coating layer such as a fluorine-containing silane
compound layer on the slider surface.
[0063] That is to say, when the magnetic disk-facing surface of the
magnetic head slider is coated with a layer of a non-metal such as
a carbonaceous material or the like, it has heretofore been
difficult to stably attach the terminal group of a material having
a fluorinated alkyl group and a terminal halogen, cyano or alkoxyl
group, for example, a fluorine-containing silane compound to the
slider surface.
[0064] In this invention, it has been, for the first time, found
that even in such a case, a fluorine-containing silane compound is
stably attached by conducting an activation treatment such as a
special plasma surface treatment or the like.
[0065] That is to say, many hydroxyl groups can be introduced into
the slider surface layer, which is the surface to be treated, by
exteriorly introducing activated oxygen into the area contacting
with the slider surface to make the slider surface rich in oxygen.
On the other hand, a silane type oil repellent, for example, a
fluoroalkylalkoxysilane which is a kind of fluorine-containing
silane compound, has a fluorine-containing alkyl group and also has
silane at its end. This reacts with the excessive water content,
whereby the terminal group is converted to a silanol group
represented by Si--OH. This silanol group reacts with the hydroxyl
group on the above-mentioned slider surface, whereby dehydration
condensation reaction proceeds as shown in the formula (3): 2
[0066] Incidentally, X is an element constituting the slider
surface layer and is usually carbon, and R is a fluorine-containing
alkyl group. As a result, the slider matrix material element and
the fluorine-containing silane type oil repellent are bonded to
each other, whereby a dense layer having a very high bonding site
density (a lower surface energy layer) can be formed.
[0067] As a plasma surface treatment method for activating such a
surface, there are, for example, the following methods:
[0068] In a treating vessel is placed under atmospheric pressure a
mixed gas in which a side reaction gas of methanol or ethanol is
mixed with a He atmosphere gas and, as an electric source, there is
used such that a plasma can be generated at a high frequency
electric source of 10 MHz or more. The above-mentioned high
frequency is applied to the above-mentioned mixed gas atmosphere to
produce a plasma and a magnetic head slider is placed therein to be
subjected to surface treatment, whereby a part of the methanol or
ethanol is decomposed to make it possible to introduce many
hydroxyl groups onto the surface.
[0069] Alternatively, the surface activation can be achieved also
by an ion implantation method. The implantation conditions are
preferably such that, for example, an oxygen gas is accelerated at
an accelerating voltage of 10 KV to treat the surface and the
amount of ions implanted is 2.times.10.sup.16 ions/cm.sup.2 or more
and the oxygen/carbon concentration ratio (O/C) in which the carbon
concentration is the content of carbon in the above-mentioned
carbon layer ranges from 3 to 20%.
[0070] The same effect is also obtained by conducting, in place of
the above-mentioned activation method, ultraviolet light
irradiation before or after or both before and after the formation
of the layer of a fluorine-containing silane compound.
[0071] Incidentally, it is known that the same effect is obtained
even when the ultraviolet light irradiation treatment is effected
after the formation of the carbon layer. In this case, it is
preferable that the ultraviolet light irradiation is conducted at
an intensity of 100 to 30 mW/cm2 in an ozone atmosphere.
[0072] Moreover, since adhered contaminants such as organic
materials or the like can be decomposed by the ultraviolet light
irradiation, a surface-cleaning effect can be expected.
[0073] Furthermore, when the carbon thin layer on the slider
surface is subjected to plasma treatment, the effect is further
enhanced by adjusting the center line average height Ra of the
magnetic disk surface facing the slider surface to 10 nm or
less.
[0074] This invention is more specifically explained below based on
Examples.
[0075] Example 1
[0076] A magnetic hard disk drive as shown in FIG. 1 was prepared.
In FIG. 1, 1 refers to a magnetic disk for recording signals and
this is revolved in the state that it is fixed to a spindle 3.
Above the surface of the revolving magnetic disk 1, a slider 2
equipped with a magnetic head element for recording and reproducing
information is moved substantially in the radial direction of the
magnetic disk 1 by a carriage 5 through a suspension 4.
[0077] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the magnetic disk
1-facing surface of a slider 2, which comprises a flying rail 7a
composed of a crossrail having a taper 8 at an entrance end and a
side rail for generating a flying force; and a center rail 7b
having attached thereto a magnetic head element 6. On the surface
of the slider (or bleed) surface 9 depressed several micrometers
from the plane of these rails, a layer of a fluoroalkylsilane which
is a fluorine-containing silane compound is formed. In addition,
the surface of the back end face 10 of the slider 2 is, if
necessary, composed of a fluoroalkylsilane. The fluoroalkylsilane
has the structure of
CF.sub.3(CF.sub.2).sub.n(CH.sub.2).sub.m--SiX.sub.3 in which n is
an integer of 0 to 13, m is an integer of 0 to 10 and X represents
an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms (particularly methoxy
group), a halogen or a cyano group. In this case, X.sub.3 may be a
combination of different kinds of the above-mentioned groups. FIG.
4 and FIG. 5 are surface structure views showing the surfaces of
the bleed surface 9 of the slider 2 before and after the
fluoroalkylsilane layer is formed. On the bleed surface 9 before
the fluoroalkylsilane layer is attached thereto lie scattered
hydroxyl groups 13 which become the bonding sites 12 of the
fluoroalkylsilane, and the hydroxyl groups 13 and the methoxy
groups of the fluoroalkylsilane are adsorption-bonded to form a
fluoroalkylsilane monomer layer 14 on the bleed surface 9.
[0078] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a magnetic head slider 2
and a magnetic disk 1 which are under operation, the slider 2 is
flown in substantially no contact above the magnetic disk 1 through
an air layer or is traveled while the center rail 7b of the slider
2 is contacted with the magnetic disk 1 as shown in the Figure. In
order to prevent the slider 2 and the magnetic disk 2 from being
abraded and damaged when the two are contacted with each other, a
lubricant 11 such as a perfluoropolyether is coated on the surface
of the magnetic disk 1.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 6, when the slider 2 is flown above or
traveled in contact with the surface of the magnetic disk 1, the
lubricant 11 is adhered to and built up on the bleed surface 9 of
the slider 2.
[0080] In order to prevent the lubricant from being adhered,
according to the present Example, the bleed surface 9 is covered
with a fluoroalkylsilane monomer layer 14. The outermost surface of
the fluoroalkylsilane monomer layer 14 is composed of CF.sub.3
groups having a surface energy of 6 mN/m, whereby the contact angle
of the lubricant 11 having a surface energy of about 20 mN/m on the
bleed surface 9 covered with the fluoroalkylsilane monomer layer 14
becomes 55 to 70.degree. or so according to the above-mentioned
equation (1), so that the lubricant 11 does not adhere to nor build
up on the slider 2, and hence, the generation of a great stiction
force which disturbs the start of the drive can be prevented.
[0081] Example 2
[0082] Another Example of this invention is explained using FIG. 9.
FIG. 9 is a surface structure view showing the surface portion of
the bleed surface 9 of the magnetic head slider 2 of this
invention, and a fluoroalkylsilane oligomer layer 15 is bonded at
the bonding sites 12 on the bleed surface 9. By a treatment with
the lubricant 11 at a lower temperature for a shorter time than in
Example 1, such a result was obtained that the contact angle of the
bleed surface 9 is 55 to 70.degree..
[0083] According to this Example, even when the number density of
the bonding sites 12 on the bleed surface 9 is small, or even when
the probability of bonding of a fluoroalkylsilane to the bonding
sites 12 is small, it is possible to arrange on the bleed surface 9
many CF.sub.3 group-containing fluoroalkylsilane molecules as
compared with the fluoroalkylsilane monomer layer 14. Accordingly,
on the slider surface before the treatment which surface has a
small number density of bonding sites 12, and even on the slider
surface before the treatment which surface has a small probability
of bonding to the bonding sites 12, it is possible to prevent the
lubricant 11 from being adhered to and built up on the slider 2 by
forming a fluoroalkylsilane oligomer layer. Accordingly, a great
stiction force which disturbs the start of the drive can be
prevented from being generated.
[0084] As is clear from the above explanation, according to this
invention, by allowing the magnetic head slider surface to have a
contact angle of 50.degree. or more as measured using a lubricant
coated on the surface of the magnetic disk, the lubricant coated on
the magnetic disk is prevented from adhering to and building up on
the slider. Accordingly, the start failure of the magnetic hard
disk drive due to stiction can be prevented and there can be
provided a magnetic hard disk drive which is excellent in safety
against the start failure and high in reliability.
[0085] Example 3
[0086] FIG. 10 shows the magnetic head slider and the magnetic disk
27 in the magnetic hard disk drive used in this Example. FIG. 10
conceptionally shows the section obtained by cutting the magnetic
head slider and the magnetic disk 27 by a plane which is in
parallel to the direction of movement of the magnetic disk and
vertical to the magnetic disk surface (recording surface). The
magnetic disk 27 which is a recording medium is composed of a
NiP-plated disk substrate 28, a Cr intermediate layer 29 formed
thereon, a CoCr type magnetic layer 30 having a thickness of 30 nm
formed on the Cr intermediate layer 29, and a carbon protective
layer 31 having a thickness of 20 nm formed as a sliding-protecting
layer on the magnetic layer 30. Moreover, for securing the sliding
reliability thereof, a liquid lubricant 32 is coated in a thickness
of about 2 nm on the carbon protective layer 31. On the other hand,
at the front end of the suspension 21, a gimbals 22 is formed for
flexibly supporting the suspension, and the slider 23 is joined
therethrough to the suspension. The length of the slider 23 in the
direction of movement of the magnetic disk is 2 mm, and a magnetic
transducing element 24 for recording and reproducing data is loaded
at the back end. The magnetic disk 27 is moved from the left to the
right in the Figure. The above slider 23 is composed of the slider
body of alumina titanium carbide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3TiC) and a carbon
thin layer 25 formed thereon in a thickness of about 10 nm as the
head protective layer, and an oil repellent layer 26 is formed on
the surface of the carbon thin layer 25.
[0087] FIG. 11 schematically shows the molecular structure of the
slider surface subjected to oil repellent treatment, namely the
molecular structure of the oil repellent layer 26. This molecular
structure has terminal CF.sub.3--CF.sub.2 groups very low in
surface tension on the outermost surface, namely the surface facing
the magnetic disk, and on its opposite side, namely the slider
side, is intimately bonded through silanol groups to the slider
protective layer (carbon thin layer 25).
[0088] The characteristic feature of the oil repellent treatment in
this invention is explained using FIGS. 12A to 12E. The silane type
oil repellent, for example, a fluoroalkylalkoxysilane which is a
kind of fluorine-containing compound, has a methoxy group
represented by --CH.sub.3O at the end of its fluorine-containing
alkyl group. When this fluoroalkylalkoxysilane is dissolved in a
solvent, it reacts with a slight amount of water present in the
solvent, and it follows that the end thereof has a hydroxyl
group.
CF.sub.3(CF.sub.2).sub.n--CH.sub.2--CH.sub.2--Si(O--CH.sub.3).sub.3+3H.sub-
.2O.fwdarw.
CF.sub.3--(CF.sub.2).sub.n--CH.sub.2--CH.sub.2--Si(OH).sub.3+3-
CH.sub.3OH (4)
[0089] As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, dealcoholization proceeds to
produce a silanol (Si--OH).
[0090] On the other hand, the magnetic head slider is subjected to
the plasma surface treatment mentioned below. The treatment vessel
is such that a plasma can be generated in the vessel under
atmospheric pressure using a mixed gas formed by incorporating the
side reaction gas of methanol or ethanol into a He atmosphere gas
and using a high frequency electric source of 10 MHz or more as an
electric source. The above high frequency is applied to the above
mixed gas to produce a plasma and the magnetic head slider is
placed therein for about one minute to be subjected to surface
treatment, whereby a part of the methanol or ethanol is decomposed
and the introduction of many hydroxyl groups onto the surface is
made possible as shown in FIGS. 12D and 12C.
[0091] The slider subjected to the surface treatment is immersed in
the above-mentioned solvent and then taken out by dipping, after
which it is heated to about 150.degree. C., upon which dehydration
reaction is caused as shown in FIG. 12E to form an alkoxy
group.
R--Si(OH).sub.3+X--OH.fwdarw.R--Si(OH).sub.2--OX+H.sub.2O (5)
[0092] wherein X is the element of the surface material and R--
Si(OH).sub.2--OX is an alkylsilane compound.
[0093] In the above reaction, many activated oxygen and hydroxyl
groups exist on the surface, so that many fluoroalkoxyl groups are
adsorbed and a dense layer having many adsorbing sites can be
formed. Furthermore, between the adjacent molecules, a siloxane
bond represented by Si-- O--Si can be produced and cross-linking
proceeds, so that a strong layer can be formed.
[0094] In order to confirm the oil repellency of this layer, 0.05
ml of a fluorine type lubricant liquid was dropped onto the treated
surface and the contact angle was determined. The results obtained
are shown in FIG. 13. Three kinds of a slider in the non-treated
state, a slider subjected directly to oil repellent treatment and a
slider subjected to plasma pretreatment and then to oil repellent
treatment were subjected to measurement and the results obtained
were compared. The non-treated slider had a contact angle as low as
about 12.degree. on average, while the slider subjected to oil
repellent treatment had a contact angle of 24.degree. on average.
Moreover, it was confirmed that the slider subjected to plasma
treatment as the pretreatment, which is of this invention, showed a
contact angle of about 40.degree. on average. Even in this case,
since the activation treatment such as plasma pretreatment had been
conducted, the same effect as in the case of a contact angle of
50.degree. or more was obtained.
[0095] In order to confirm whether or not this performance is
exerted in a disk which is practically used, a practical magnetic
hard disk drive was driven for the given period of time and then
stopped for 24 hours under the conditions of a temperature of
30.degree. C. and a relative humidity of 60%, and thereafter, the
static friction force for starting the drive was determined. The
magnetic disk medium used had a carbon layer having a center line
average height Ra of 5 nm or more coated with a fluorine type
lubricant in a thickness of 1.5 nm. The pressing load of the
suspension was 3 gf. The results are shown in FIG. 14. The friction
force of the non-treated slider was largely varied from 2 to 12 gf
and the average value thereof was as high as 8 gf. On the other
hand, the friction force of the slider subjected to oil repellent
treatment without plasma treatment was 2 to 6 gf and the average
value thereof was as low as 4 gf. Subsequently, a sample which is
the Example of this invention in which the plasma pretreatment was
introduced was prepared. According to this Example, the friction
force of the slider was as very low as 1.5 to 2.5 gf and could be
lowered to about 2 gf on average, so that it was shown to have a
great effect on the reduction of adhesion force.
[0096] Example 4
[0097] Another method of the surface-treatment of a magnetic head
slider is explained below. First of all, a carbon thin layer was
formed in a thickness of about 10 nm on the zirconia slider body
under such conditions that hydrogen was mixed into a nitrogen gas
during the film formation by sputtering. This carbon thin layer was
pretreated by ion implantation. The implantation conditions were
such that an oxygen gas was accelerated at an acceleration voltage
of 10 KV and the treatment was conducted for 30 seconds. The amount
of ion implanted was 2.times.10.sup.16 ions/cm.sup.2, and
corresponded to an oxygen/carbon concentration ratio of
approximately 3%. This oxygen/carbon concentration ratio is
desirably adjusted to 3 to 20%, and when it exceeds 20%, there is a
fear of the material becoming porous and weak.
[0098] After the above pretreatment, a fluoroalkylalkoxysilane
liquid was placed in a sealed vessel and heated to about
100.degree. C. to be vaporized and allowed to adhere to the surface
of a slider set thereabove. As a result, the reactions represented
by the formulas (4) and (5) in Example 3 proceeded simultaneously,
whereby it was possible to form an oil repellent layer in which the
alkoxyl groups were firmly adhered to the slider surface. As to
this performance, the results of measurement of the static friction
force at the time of starting are shown in FIG. 15. The friction
force of the non-treated slider was as high as 8 gf on average,
while the friction force of the slider subjected to oil repellent
treatment was 4 gf, and in the case of a sample subjected to ion
implantation treatment which is the present Example became as very
low as about 2.5 gf on average, and it was confirmed to have a
great effect on the reduction of adhesion force. Incidentally, as
to the acceleration voltage, substantially the same effect was
confirmed even when it was in the range of 2 to 30 KV. In the
present Example, a layer having a high oil repellent effect can be
formed and, in addition, the hardness of the protective layer per
se becomes high and an effect of reducing the abrasion is also
seen.
[0099] Example 5
[0100] Still another method of the surface treatment of a magnetic
head slider is explained below. This slider 23 was composed of a
slider body of alumina titanium carbide and a carbon thin layer
formed thereon in a thickness of 8 nm by sputtering under the
conditions that nitrogen was mixed. This slider was immersed in a
fluorosilane solution and the latter was attached to the former by
dipping. Subsequently, it was irradiated with an ultraviolet light
using a low pressure mercury vapor lamp in an ozone atmosphere. The
ultraviolet light irradiation was conducted at an intensity of 50
mW/cm.sup.2 for 10 minutes. Thereafter, using temperature as a
parameter, baking treatment was conducted at a temperature between
30.degree. C. and 250.degree. C. for about 20 minutes. As to the
stiction resistance performance of the slider subjected to this
treatment, the results obtained by measuring friction force at the
time of the starting are shown in FIG. 16. The friction force of
the non-treated slider was as high as 8 gf, while the slider
subjected to the ultraviolet light treatment was generally low in
friction force, and it was found to have a dependency on the
subsequent baking temperature. At 30.degree. C., the friction force
was 6 gf and hence its reduction effect was small, while at
50.degree. C., it was lowered to 4 gf or less and the said tendency
was not so varied though when the baking temperature was elevated
some elevation of the friction force was seen. However, when it
exceeded 200.degree. C., the lowering of the friction force was
inversely seen. The reason therefor was not clear, but it is
considered to result from the change of the molecular structure or
the deterioration of the strength of the undercoat. According to
the experiment of the present inventors, it is desirable to adjust
the baking temperature in the range of 50 to 150.degree. C.
[0101] In the present Example, in addition to the effect of
rendering the surface oil repellent, there are such an effect that
adhered contaminants such as organic materials and the like can be
decomposed by irradiation with an ultraviolet light and an effect
of the surface-cleaning action.
[0102] Moreover, since the adsorption force depends greatly on the
center line average height Ra of the magnetic disk medium, a test
was made for clarifying this influence. In Example 5, a test was
conducted using a slider whose baking temperature was 150.degree.
C. and using a magnetic disk medium having a center line average
height Ra of 2, 5, 10, 15 or 20 nm. The results obtained are shown
in FIG. 17. When the center line average height was 15 nm or more,
it was confirmed that even a sample which had not been subjected to
the oil repellent treatment had a friction force as low as 3 gf or
less and the treatment per se was not necessary. However, in the
case of a magnetic disk medium having Ra of 10 nm or less, it was
confirmed that the friction force of the non-treated slider was as
large as 8 gf or more, while the above oil repellent treatment
resulted in a reduction of the friction force to 5 gf or less, and
hence, the effect of the oil repellent treatment was large.
[0103] Example 6
[0104] The same procedure as in Example 5 was repeated, except that
the irradiation with an ultraviolet light was conducted after the
formation of a carbon thin layer and before the immersion in a
fluorosilane solution.
[0105] As a result, the bonding of the fluoroalkylsilane to the
carbon thin layer could be made stronger than in Example 5.
[0106] As described above, by subjecting the magnetic head slider
surface to plasma treatment or the like, it is possible to strongly
adhere a fluoroalkylsilane compound having a silane group to the
slider surface, and consequently the surface has a high oil
repellency and a magnetic head slider which does not cause
adsorption to the magnetic disk can be realized. Moreover, it has
also such an effect that the adhesion to the slider surface of not
only the lubricant on the magnetic disk but also foreign matter
which becomes a contamination can be reduced.
* * * * *