Tribological properties of extremely thin protective carbon nitride films deposited on magnetic discs by complex treatment

Abstract

Extremely thin nitrogen-containing carbon (C-N) films with thicknesses of 3, 6, and 9 nm were prepared as a protective overcoat on CoCrTa magnetic discs by complex treatment, including plasma irradiation and C-N reactive sputtering in an atmosphere of nitrogen (N₂) and nitrogen and helium (N₂ + He) gaseous mixture. Films of various thicknesses were obtained by controlling deposition time. The bonding structure and composition of the film were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A radio frequency power of 25 W was experimentally confirmed to be the optimum plasma irradiation power at which a ratio of magnetic loss is <5 per cent. Nanohardness and elastic modulus of the films were measured by nanoindentation. Wear and oscillation scratch tests were carried out to investigate the wear-resistance property of the films. The improved performance of C-N films is attributed to the high indentation hardness, good wear-resistant property, and corrosion resistance of the coatings due to complex treatment and He addition.

Keywords

thin film nanotribology surface characteristics

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