Magnetic head sliders, materials therefor, and the process for the production thereof

摘要

A sintered material for recording/reading (particularly magnetic) head slider is produced by: preparing a powdery mixture which comprises 0.5 to 6.0% by weight of at least one component selected from the component group A consisting of the following elements and compounds thereof, a garnet type compound consisting essentially of erbium oxide and aluminum oxide in amounts of 2 to 12% by weight and 0 (exclusive) to 2 (inclusive) % by weight based on the total composition, respectively, and expressed by the formula Er3(Al,Er)2(AlO4)3 through (Er,Al)3Al2(AlO4)3, and the balance being silicon carbide powder: the elements for the component group A being Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Mg, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ba, La, Ce, Gd, Hf, Ta, W, Th, and Cs; and sintering the resultant mass under the application of a high pressure. Further sintering aids of Be, BeO, B and B4C may be present. For the garnet type compound, erbium oxide may be used, preferably in combination with alumina.