Previous friction measurements in the magnetic head-disk interface (HDI) indicated some anomalous friction force behavior with low sliding speeds (.25 mm/s to 0.25 m/s) and lubricant film thicknesses in the range of 20–80 nm, showing decreasing friction force with increasing apparent shear rate. The physical explanation for such behavior has not yet been established. Possible explanations for such behavior have included dramatic shear thinning, interfacial slip and partial loss of contact with the lubricant film due to slider tipping. In the present study, we investigate the possibility of slider tipping as an explanation for the decreasing friction force with increasing sliding speed. Measurements with an optical probe indicate that slider tipping does not occur for the conditions tested. Numerical analysis of slider equilibrium also supports this conclusion.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Topics:
Bearings, Disks, Equilibrium (Physics), Rupture, Theoretical analysis, Friction, Lubricants, Film thickness, Numerical analysis, Probes, Shear (Mechanics), Shear rate
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