Stiction model for a head-disc interface: experimental

Abstract

Experiments have been conducted to assess the theoretical predictions of a stiction model for a head-disc interface recently proposed. One of the key predictions of this model is that the relationship between stiction and the real area of contact is non-monotonic, and that minimum stiction should occur at an optimal value of the real area of contact. The regular textures of different asperity densities, generated by the laser texturing technique, were used in this study. The single-crater type of laser bumps could be accurately simulated by either spherical bumps with an effective radius of curvature, or cylindrical bumps with an effective Young's modulus. The stiction measurement results were found to be in excellent agreement with the theoretical prediction. The comparison between the model predictions and the experimental results were made for the stiction vs. asperity height relationships for different size laser bumps, at different spacings, and at different lubrication levels. In all cases, good agreements between the model and the experimental data have been confirmed. In this study, it has also been found that a bonded Zdol lubricant film still behaves like a liquid in terms of its ability to form menisci around contacting points.