Head wear as a function of isolated asperities on the surface of magnetic tape

The use of smooth magnetic tapes in devices that provide air-film lubrication generally results in low head wear. When high wear is encountered under these conditions, the explanation may not be obvious. This paper discusses the possibility of high head wear as a function of random asperities not evident using standard techniques of surface characterization. The evidence of asperities by a direct optical method and through the indirect approach of measuring electrical dropouts is illustrated.