Aromatic Polyester Magnetic Recording Medium Moisture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic recording media with aromatic polyester supports experience deterioration in electromagnetic conversion characteristics when exposed to temperature and humidity changes, particularly from high to low temperatures under low humidity conditions, leading to reduced performance and potential contamination of magnetic heads.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic recording medium with an aromatic polyester support and a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder, where the spacing difference measured by optical interferometry before and after ethanol cleaning is within 0 nm to 6.0 nm or less, and the support has a moisture absorption of 0.3% or less, to minimize environmental impact on electromagnetic conversion characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the control conditions of temperature and humidity are relaxed or controlling is not performed to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but electromagnetic conversion characteristics deteriorate due to environmental changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidelectromagnetic conversion characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic recording medium is pre-treated during manufacturing to enhance environmental stability. Specifically, the magnetic layer is subjected to controlled humidity treatment and heat treatment beforehand, so that when the medium is later exposed to varying temperature and humidity conditions in the data center, it resists deterioration without requiring active environmental control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the magnetic recording medium during manufacturing. The magnetic layer is treated with controlled humidity (e.g., 90% RH for 24 hours) and heat treatment (e.g., 60°C for 24 hours) to alter its moisture absorption characteristics and dimensional stability, enabling it to maintain performance across a wider range of environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the magnetic recording medium is exposed to environmental changes from high temperature to low temperature under low humidity, then power savings are achieved by relaxed control, but electromagnetic conversion characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic conversion characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic recording medium undergoes preliminary environmental stress testing and treatment during manufacturing. It is exposed to controlled high-humidity and high-temperature conditions, then cooled and dried, to pre-adapt the magnetic layer to environmental changes. This preliminary action creates a stable structure that resists subsequent temperature and humidity fluctuations in the data center environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a protective coating or treatment to the magnetic recording medium that acts as a buffer against environmental changes. This beforehand cushioning prevents rapid moisture absorption and dimensional changes when the medium is exposed to temperature and humidity variations, thereby protecting the electromagnetic conversion characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively suppresses the deterioration of electromagnetic conversion characteristics and reduces contamination on the magnetic head, ensuring stable performance even under varying environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the non-magnetic support is an aromatic polyester support having a moisture absorption of 0.3% or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoisture absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a spacing Safter measured on a surface of the magnetic layer by optical interferometry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical interferometry: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS11355148B2Magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.06.07 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

The magnetic recording medium includes: a non-magnetic support; and a magnetic layer including ferromagnetic powder, in which a difference Safter−Sbefore between a spacing Safter measured on a surface of the magnetic layer by optical interferometry after ethanol cleaning and a spacing Sbefore measured on the surface of the magnetic layer by optical interferometry before ethanol cleaning is more than 0 nm and 6.0 nm or less, and the non-magnetic support is an aromatic polyester support having a moisture absorption of 0.3% or less.