Accelerated wear characteristics of video heads in a helical scan system

Abrasive Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ tape is used to accelerate wear of video recording heads in consumer helical scan video recorders. The development of the wear scar is studied as a function of time and the increase in the length of the wear scar is measured using optical microscopy. Changes in longitudinal and transverse head radii are determined as a function of time and the dependence of head wear on head position in the scanner window is studied. The results show that the use of abrasive tape is an efficient tool in the acceleration of wear of helical scan heads.