Tribological and mechanical properties of CN ultra-thin overcoat films

Ultra-thin nitrogenated carbon overcoats have attractive tribological properties that make them favourable for protective coatings for rigid magnetic disks. In this study the influence of the overcoat nitrogen content and thickness on the tribological performance, assessed by nanowear tests, was evaluated. The nitrogenated carbon overcoats, with thicknesses ranging from 5 to 10 nm, were deposited on 15 nm thick layers of CoCrPt media.