Investigations of nano- and macro-wear of magnetic tape head materials

The nano- and macro-wear characteristics of calcium titanate, single crystal ferrite and polycrystalline ferrite were investigated using nano-scratch testing and wear bar testing. Nano- and micro-indentations were made to determine nano- and micro-hardness, and nano-scratch testing was used to evaluate relative wear rates on the nano-scale. The macro-wear characteristics of the various head materials against metal particle tapes was investigated as a function of tape speed using wear bars mounted in a DLT tape drive. The micro-indentation method was used to investigate wear of the head/tape interface in a linear tape drive. The results from nano- and macro-wear tests were analysed and correlated with the microstructure of the materials.