The Decomposition Mechanisms and Thermal Stability of ZDOL Lubricant on Hydrogenated Carbon Overcoats

Tribo-chemical studies of the head/disk interface (HDI) were conducted using hydrogenated (CH x ) carbon disk samples coated with perfluoropolyether ZDOL lubricant. The studies involved drag tests with uncoated and carbon-coated Al 2 O 3 -TiC sliders and thermal desorption experiments in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) tribochamber. The friction and catalytic decomposition mechanisms as well as the thermal behavior of ZDOL are described, and data demonstrating the chemical reactions of the lubricant and carbon overcoat are also presented. During the sliding at the carbon-coated slider/ZDOL lubricated CH x disk interface, frictional heating is the primary decomposition mechanism of ZDOL.