Magnetic Recording Medium Surface Roughness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic recording media with high surface smoothness experience deterioration in electromagnetic conversion characteristics due to temperature changes from high to low temperatures under low humidity conditions.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic recording medium with a non-magnetic support and a magnetic layer comprising ferromagnetic powder and a binding agent, where the center line average surface roughness is between 1.0 nm to 1.6 nm, and the spacing difference before and after ethanol cleaning is greater than 0 nm but less than 6.0 nm, to prevent deterioration in electromagnetic conversion characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the surface smoothness of the magnetic layer is increased to improve electromagnetic conversion characteristics, then the electromagnetic conversion characteristics are improved, but the magnetic recording medium becomes susceptible to deterioration when temperature changes from high to low under low humidity conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the surface roughness parameter (Ra: 1.0-1.6 nm) and the spacing difference parameter (Safter-Sbefore: 0<ΔS≤6.0 nm) of the magnetic layer. By optimizing these physical parameters, the magnetic layer maintains high surface smoothness for good electromagnetic conversion while preventing excessive organic component solidification during temperature changes, thus resolving the contradiction between electromagnetic performance and temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing ethanol cleaning on the magnetic layer surface before the magnetic recording medium is put into service. This preliminary cleaning removes excess organic components that would otherwise solidify during temperature changes, preventing head contamination and maintaining stable electromagnetic characteristics without requiring complex environmental control systems.
2Productivity
If the surface smoothness is increased to improve electromagnetic conversion characteristics, then recording performance is improved, but head contamination increases during temperature changes from high to low under low humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the surface roughness parameter Ra within 1.0-1.6 nm and the spacing difference ΔS within 0<ΔS≤6.0 nm to optimize the magnetic layer properties. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient surface smoothness for high recording performance while limiting the amount of organic components that can solidify and contaminate the head during temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs ethanol cleaning as a preliminary action before the magnetic recording medium is deployed. This preliminary cleaning removes excessive organic components from the magnetic layer surface, preventing them from solidifying and contaminating the magnetic head during subsequent temperature changes, thus maintaining both recording performance and head cleanliness.
3Loss of energy
If environmental management (temperature and humidity control) is relaxed to reduce costs, then operational cost is reduced, but the magnetic recording medium is exposed to weather and seasonal changes causing performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the magnetic recording medium to self-regulate its performance stability through intrinsic property optimization. By controlling surface roughness (Ra: 1.0-1.6 nm) and spacing difference (ΔS: 0<ΔS≤6.0 nm), the magnetic layer automatically resists the harmful effects of temperature and humidity changes without requiring external environmental management systems, achieving both cost reduction and performance stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes physical parameters (surface roughness and spacing difference) to make the magnetic recording medium inherently resistant to environmental variations. This parameter optimization allows the medium to maintain stable performance under uncontrolled temperature and humidity conditions, eliminating the need for expensive environmental management infrastructure while ensuring reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic support; and a magnetic layer including a ferromagnetic powder and a binding agent on the non-magnetic support, in which a center line average surface roughness Ra measured regarding a surface of the magnetic layer is 1.0 nm to 1.6 nm, and a difference (Safter−Sbefore) between a spacing Safter measured by optical interferometry regarding the surface of the magnetic layer after ethanol cleaning and a spacing Sbefore measured by optical interferometry regarding the surface of the magnetic layer before ethanol cleaning is greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 6.0 nm.