Characteristics of wear and contamination of video heads in consumer VCRs

Head wear and head contamination of video heads is investigated in order to improve the reliability of the head/tape interface. The location of deposits and the shape of the wear scar are studied. The wear rate along the head surface is determined using the so-called "micro-indentation technique". The contact pressure is estimated using the measured area of the wear scar and an average measured contact force. AES spectra from contaminated regions of the head gap are obtained to characterize the head deposits.