Nanotribological investigation of magnetic rigid disks lubricated with perfluoropolyether lubricant under varying conditions.

This paper studies the nanotribological behavior of magnetic rigid disks dip-coated with ultra thin perfluoropolyether (PFPE) Z-Dol 4000 lubricant layers up to 4 nm thick prior to or after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. Lube bonding ratios (LBRs) of 43-91% were achieved by varying the UV irradiation time. The nanotribological and mechanical properties of the disks were measured with a nanotribometer under varying loading conditions. The effect of the LBR on the nanotribological behavior of the disks was also elucidated. We found that the lubricated disks after UV treatment performed better compared to the lubricated disks without UV treatment. The experimental results indicated that the LBR of about 50% could achieve the best contact-start-stop and flyability performances.