Magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording apparatus

摘要

A magnetic recording medium used in a magnetic recording apparatus has a non-magnetic substrate, a magnetic film formed on the substrate, an optional protective film formed on the magnetic film and a lubricating layer formed on the top surface of the medium. The lubricating layer is made of an organic polymer lubricant having molecules with an interstitial radius of not more that 0.31 nm. The interstitial radius is affected by coating the lubricant on the protective film after the protective film has been cleaned with a surface treatment, such as an oxygen plasma treatment or an ozone treatment. By maintaining the interstitial radius between molecules of the lubricant layer equal to or less than 0.31 nm, water and corrosive molecules in water cannot penetrate the lubricating layer and corrode the magnetic film. Also, the lubricant layer provides good sliding durability with a resultant long CSS life.