Investigation of head wear and contamination in helical scan tape systems

The wear behavior of helical scan recorder heads is studied using the micro-indentation technique, where Vickers micro-indentations are spatially distributed on the head surface to provide a scale for wear measurement as a function of position. Atomic Force Microscopy is used to measure the wear rates with high accuracy. The maximum wear occurs in the trailing pole piece of the head. The MP tape proved to be more abrasive than the /spl gamma/Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/ tape. Chemical analysis of films forming in the glass region indicated iron oxide transfer from the tape to the head surface.