High-Rigidity Glass Substrate Composition for HDD Vibration Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic recording medium substrates made of aluminum alloy are susceptible to deformation and vibration during high-speed rotation, which can lead to head crashes and limit the recording capacity of hard disk drives.

Innovation Solution

Developing a high-rigidity glass substrate for magnetic recording media with specific compositions of B2O3, Na2O, CaO, MgO, and other oxides to enhance specific elastic modulus and thermal stability, reducing vibration and improving durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the thickness of the glass substrate is reduced to reduce the thickness of the magnetic recording medium, then the recording capacity of HDD is improved, but the rigidity of the substrate deteriorates and vibration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording capacityVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the glass substrate by controlling the content ranges of B2O3 (0.1-2.0 mol%), Na2O (1.0-6.0 mol%), CaO (0-1.0 mol%), and MgO (14.0 mol% or more). This composition optimization increases the specific elastic modulus to 35.0 MNm/kg or more, enabling thin substrates to maintain high rigidity and suppress vibration while reducing thickness for higher recording capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If the thickness of the glass substrate is reduced to reduce the thickness of the magnetic recording medium, then the recording capacity of HDD is improved, but the susceptibility to vibration during high-speed rotation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording capacityVSAvoidvibration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes glass composition parameters (B2O3: 0.1-2.0 mol%, Na2O: 1.0-6.0 mol%, CaO: 0-1.0 mol%, MgO: ≥14.0 mol%) to achieve a specific elastic modulus of 35.0 MNm/kg or more. This enables thin substrates to maintain high vibration resistance during high-speed rotation, preventing head crashes while enabling increased recording capacity through reduced substrate thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If aluminum alloy is used as the substrate material, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the susceptibility to deformation during high-speed rotation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a specialized glass composite material with optimized composition (B2O3: 0.1-2.0 mol%, Na2O: 1.0-6.0 mol%, CaO: 0-1.0 mol%, MgO: ≥14.0 mol%) that achieves superior dimensional stability and rigidity. This glass substrate eliminates the deformation problems of aluminum alloys during high-speed rotation while maintaining manufacturability through established glass processing techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20260080900A1Glass for magnetic recording medium substrate or for glass spacer to be used in magnetic recording/reproducing device, magnetic recording medium substrate, magnetic recording medium, glass spacer to be used in magnetic recording/reproducing device, and magnetic recording/reproducing device
Publication Date: 2026.03.19 HOYA CORPORATION

AI summary

Provided is a glass for a magnetic recording medium substrate or for a glass spacer for a magnetic recording/reproducing device, the glass being an amorphous glass, wherein a B2O3 content is 0.10 mol % or more and 2.00 mol % or less, a Na2O content is 1.00 mol % or more and 6.00 mol % or less, a CaO content is 0 mol % or more and 1.00 mol % or less, and a MgO content is 14.00 mol % or more.