Abstract: This invention is directed to the fabrication of magnetic memory storage devices which consist essentially of a head pad and a rigid information disc, that disc consisting essentially of a rigid substrate having a layer of magnetic media joined to the surface of said substrate through an underlayer. The invention is particularly drawn to the substrate for the information disc which is composed of a glass-based material containing 0.05-2% by weight total of cobalt oxide and/or iron oxide and/or nickel oxide. The most preferred glass-based material comprises a glass-ceramic wherein canasite constitutes the predominant crystal phase.