Friction and Wear Studies of Carbon Overcoated Thin Films Magnetic Sliders: Application of Raman Microspectroscopy

The friction and wear behavior of diamond-like carbon (DLC) overcoated sliders is investigated as a function of DLC overcoat thickness using contact-start-stop and constant speed drag tests. The dependence of the Raman signal on DLC film thickness is studied. Raman spectra obtained from different locations on the air bearing surface are analyzed before and after wear testing to study wear of the DLC overcoat. The dependence of D and G band areas on DLC film thickness is investigated and the use of Raman spectroscopy for auxiliary measurement of carbon overcoat thickness is discussed.