Abstract: Ion exchange membrane-based sensors, actuators and sensor/actuators and methods of making same for applications requiring sensing, actuating and controlling displacement. Sensors, actuators, and sensor/actuators are useful in biological as well as other applications. Encapsulation of the sensors, actuators, or sensor/actuators further increases the utility of the present invention. Devices according to the present invention made using lithium are preferred over those made using only sodium.

Abstract: A nickel-base superalloy article has a surface protective layer comprising nickel, from about 20 to about 35 weight percent aluminum, and from about 0.5 to about 10 weight percent rhenium. The protective layer, which is preferably an overlay coating of the beta (&bgr;) phase NiAl form, is formed by depositing nickel, aluminum, rhenium, and modifying elements onto the substrate surface. A ceramic layer may be deposited overlying the protective layer.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming an improved aluminide coating which includes one or more oxygen active elements. A metallic substrate is coated with an overlay coating, such as an MCrAl coating, including one or more oxygen active elements such as yttrium, hafnium and silicon, by a conventional overlay process such as low pressure plasma spray. A metal, preferably a Series VIII transition metal such as platinum, is applied to the substrate, for example by electroplating. The substrate is then aluminized, for example by chemical vapor deposition, and is preferably heat treated. A ceramic thermal barrier may also be applied. The present invention provides an active element containing aluminide coating having a more consistent composition and having improved durability, either as a standalone coating or as a bond coat for a subsequently-applied thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: Described is a method for producing a diffusion bonded sputtering target assembly which is thermally treated to precipitation harden the backing plate without compromising the diffusion bond integrity. The method includes heat treating and quenching to alloy solution and artificially age the backing plate material after diffusion bonding to a target. Thermal treatment of the diffusion bonded sputtering target assembly includes quenching by partial-immersion in a quenchant and is performed after diffusion bonding and allows for various tempers in the backing plate.

Abstract: A hydride battery electrode is coated with palladium or a palladium alloy to improve hydride storage properties and recycle characteristics. A hydrogen purification membrane including a metallic substrate likewise has improved properties upon coating with palladium and a surface species of an alkali metal, alkaline earth element or alkaline earth cation. Novel metal hydrogen purification membranes include vanadium alloyed with at least 1 to 20 atomic percent nickel and/or 1 to 20 atomic percent cobalt and/or 1 to 20 atomic percent palladium.

Abstract: Process for producing a drawn wire, in particular a wire for reinforcing tires, having a diameter of less than 0.3 mm by drawing a base wire rod having a diameter of greater than 5 mm or a predrawn base wire made of steel with the following composition by weight: carbon≦40×10−3% nitrogen≦40×10−3%, the carbon and nitrogen satisfying the relationship C+N≦50×10−3%, 0.2%≦silicon≦1.0%, 0.2%≦manganese≦5%, 9%≦nickel≦12%, 15%≦chromium≦20%, 1.5%≦copper≦4%, sulfur≦10×10−3%, phosphorus<0.050%, 40×10−4%≦total oxygen≦120×10−4%, 0.1×10−4%≦aluminum≦20×10−4%, magnesium≦5×10−4%, 0.

Abstract: Method of forming a two-piece hollow cathode sputter target assembly and the assembly formed thereby. The sputter target assembly includes an outer shell having a substantially cylindrical side wall and is composed of a relatively low purity metallic material. A sputtering insert includes a substantially cylindrical side wall and is concentrically received within, and bonded to, the outer shell. The sputtering insert is composed of a relatively high purity metallic material as used for depositing a thin layer or film onto a desired substrate.

Abstract: A personal ornament having its surface covered with a colored coating, the colored coating formed by dry-plating, which personal ornament comprises a basis material for personal ornament, composed of a copper alloy or zinc; a nickel plating layer on a surface of the basis material, or a nickel plating layer on a surface of a copper plating layer on a surface of the basis material; an amorphous nickel/phosphorus alloy plating layer on a surface of the nickel plating layer; and at least one colored coating layer on a surface of the amorphous nickel/phosphorus alloy plating layer, the colored coating layer formed by dry-plating, and wherein the amorphous nickel/phosphorus alloy plating layer has a phosphorus content of 11 to 16% by weight. As compared with conventional personal ornaments, this personal ornament is furnished with a colored coating having excellent corrosion resistance and can be produced at low cost.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium including first, second and third magnetic layers laminated in succession, wherein (1) when the magnetic wall energy density, saturation magnetization, magnetic wall coercivity and film thickness of the first magnetic layer at a temperature T represented by cgs unit system are defined as &sgr;1, Ms1, Hw1 and h1, respectively, (2) the magnetic wall energy density, saturation magnetization, magnetic wall coercivity and film thickness of the third magnetic layer are defined as &sgr;3, Ms3, Hw3 and h3, respectively, (3) the interface magnetic wall energy, density between the first magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer is defined as &sgr;w13, and (4) the lowest temperature at which &sgr;w13 is 0 erg/cm2 is Ts, 2Ms1*Hw1<&sgr;w13/h1 and 2Ms3*Hw3>&sgr;w13/h3 are satisfied at room temperature, and when a suitable temperature Tp is chosen, within a temperature range greater than the temperature Ts and lower by 10° C.

Abstract: A hot-dip Zn—Al—Mg plated steel sheet good in corrosion resistance and surface appearance that is a hot-dip Zn-base plated steel sheet obtained by forming on a surface of a steel sheet a hot-dip Zn—Al—Mg plating layer composed of Al: 4.0-10 wt. %, Mg: 1.0-4.0 wt. % and the balance of Zn and unavoidable impurities, the plating layer having a metallic structure including a primary crystal Al phase or a primary crystal Al phase and a Zn single phase in a matrix of Al/Zn/Zn2Mg ternary eutectic structure. To obtain a plating layer possessing this metallic structure, the cooling rate of the plating layer adhering to a steel strip extracted from a plating bath and the plating bath temperature are appropriately controlled in a continuous hot-dip plating machine and/or appropriate amounts of Ti and B are added to the bath.

Abstract: A bond coat and method of forming a bond coat for a thermal barrier coating system are set forth. The bond coat is a roughened bond coat and comprises a layer possessing an uneven, undulated, and irregular surface. The layer is formed of a metal powder mixture disposed on a substrate, such as a turbine component, by high velocity oxygen fuel spraying. The metal powder mixture comprises at least one of a first powder having a first melting point and a second powder having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point. The bond coat's uneven, undulated, and irregular surface enhances prevention of de-bonding of elements in a thermal barrier coating system.

Abstract: A method for preparing a copper pad surface for electrical connection that has superior diffusion barrier and adhesion properties is provided. In the method, a copper pad surface is first provided that has been cleaned by an acid solution, a protection layer of a phosphorus or boron-containing metal alloy is then deposited on the copper pad surface, and then an adhesion layer of a noble metal is deposited on top of the protection layer. The protection layer may be a single layer, or two or more layers intimately joined together formed of a phosphorus or boron-containing metal alloy such as Ni-P, Co-P, Co-W-P, Co-Sn-P, Ni-W-P, Co-B, Ni-B, Co-Sn-B, Co-W-B and Ni-W-B to a thickness between about 1,000 Å and about 10,000 Å. The adhesion layer can be formed of a noble metal such as Au, Pt, Pd and Ag to a thickness between about 500 Å and about 4,000 Å.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for vapor-depositing zirconium dioxide on ceramic or metallic substrates, and the heat-insulating layers obtainable by such process.

Abstract: A method of protecting metal bodies, such as components of a thermal cracking furnace, against formation of carbon deposits, and the furnace components so protected, the method comprising producing an adherent, seamless coat on the metal surface, the coating comprising a layer of combined metal oxides within the MgO.Cr2O3 system.

Abstract: For machine parts, cutting tools and molds used under extremely high contact pressures, an amorphous carbon film is provided which has a sufficient adhesion to a substrate. The amorphous carbon covered member has an interlayer comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements in the IVa, Va, VIa and IIIb groups and the IVb group except carbon in the periodic table, or a carbide of at least one element selected from the group, and an amorphous carbon film formed on the interlayer. The interlayer has a thickness of 0.5 nm or over and less than 10 nm.

Abstract: Described is a method for producing a diffusion bonded sputtering assembly which is thermally treated to precipitation harden the backing plate without compromising the diffusion bond integrity. The method includes heat treating and quenching to alloy solution and artificially age the backing plate material after diffusion bonding to a target. Thermal treatment of the diffusion bonded sputtering target assembly includes quenching by partial-immersion in a quenchant and is performed after diffusion bonding and allows for various tempers in the backing plate.

Abstract: A PVD process for manufacturing a coating (16, 18, 20, 22, 23) on articles (12), in particular on articles which have a relatively low temperature resistance such as articles made of brass, zinc and plastic, including such with an electroplated coating, wherein a plurality of layers (16, 18, 20, 22) are built up by arc discharge vaporization to manufacture a colored coating insensitive to fingerprints and are selected in order to achieve a color by this kind of coating alone which corresponds as far as possible to the desired end color; and wherein a hard material cover layer (23) is applied to the layer structure by means of cathode or magnetron sputtering or by the simultaneous use of arc discharge vaporization and cathode or magnetron sputtering, said cover layer generating the final color and being limited to the smallest possible layer thickness, preferably to under 500 nm.

Abstract: A hot-dip Zn—Al—Mg plated steel sheet good in corrosion resistance and surface appearance that is a hot-dip Zn-base plated steel sheet obtained by forming on a surface of a steel sheet a hot-dip Zn—Al—Mg plating layer composed of Al: 4.0-10 wt. %, Mg: 1.0-4.0 wt. % and the balance of Zn and unavoidable impurities, the plating layer having a metallic structure including a primary crystal Al phase or a primary crystal Al phase and a Zn single phase in a matrix of Al/Zn/Zn2Mg ternary eutectic structure. To obtain a plating layer possessing this metallic structure, the cooling rate of the plating layer adhering to a steel strip extracted from a plating bath and the plating bath temperature are appropriately controlled in a continuous hot-dip plating machine and/or appropriate amounts of Ti and B are added to the bath.

Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of a large number of truncated hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals in a slide surface, with the area rate A of said truncated hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals being in a range of 40%≦A≦100%. A top face of each of the truncated hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals has a plurality of flat face portions, with a step provided between adjacent ones of the flat face portions. Each of the truncated hexagonal pyramid-shaped metal crystals is a (hhh) oriented metal crystal which has a body-centered cubic structure and whose (hhh) plane (by Miller indices) is oriented toward the slide surface.

Abstract: A metal article, in particular a component for a thermal cracking furnace, and a method of protecting the metal from exposure to carbon, the article having a protective coating that has a glass-ceramic surface and an interior having a CTE between that of the glass-ceramic and the metal.

Abstract: A sintered electrode of high-melting metal (for example tungsten) is produced from spherical metal powder having a well defined particle size. The mean particle size is from 5 to 70 &mgr;m. The particle size distribution covers a range from at most 20% below to at most 20% above the mean particle size.

Abstract: A coated article comprises a substrate, an inner environmental resistant coating portion including Al on the substrate, and an outer heat energy reflecting and oxygen diffusion inhibiting coating portion outward of the inner portion. The outer coating portion is multi-layer, comprising 6-48 discrete stacked layers and a total outer coating portion thickness in the range of about 2.5-25 microns.

Abstract: A furnace component having a tungsten-based substrate whose surface is protected by a rhenium-based layer in order to render the component less reactive to quartz, glass and other forms of silica. The layer preferably consists essentially of rhenium or rhenium with alloying additions of tungsten. The substrate may be formed of concentric layers of different tungsten-based alloys in order to tailor the physical and mechanical properties of the component. A preferred method of forming the rhenium layer is to wrap the substrate with a rhenium-based wire, and then heat the wire and substrate to sinter and bond the wire to the substrate. Alternatively, the substrate and rhenium layer can be formed by isostatic pressing. Both methods are performed so that the substrate and layer have densities of at least about 96% of their respective theoretical densities.

Abstract: (1) An undercoat layer is formed on a surface of a substrate mainly composed of iron by coating the substrate with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, tin, lead, aluminum, chromium, nickel and copper by hot dipping, electroplating, penetration plating, thermal spraying or chemical plating, or a paint containing at least one rust preventive pigment selected from the group consisting of zinc dust, zinc chromate, minium, basic lead chromate, strontium chromate and lead chromate, and then, (2) the undercoat layer is coated with a paint composition mainly composed of (a) 100 parts by weight of an inorganic filler, (b) 5 to 30 parts by weight of a binder in terms of solid content, and (c) 10 to 100 parts by weight of water and/or a hydrophilic organic solvent, and the composition is hardened by drying at ordinary temperature or heat drying at low temperature to form an overcoat layer, thereby obtaining a rust preventive coating good in hydrophilic properties, air permeability and drying p

Abstract: A coating system (10) formed on a molybdenum substrate (12) includes an oxidation resistance layer (14), a CTE matching layer (16) disposed between the oxidation resistance layer (14) and the substrate (12), and a novel barrier layer (18) disposed between the CTE matching layer (16) and the substrate (12). The CTE matching layer reduces stresses due to differential expansion/contraction as between the substrate (12) and the oxidation resistance layer (14), especially for high temperature applications. The barrier layer (18), which remains amorphous at temperatures up to at least 1000° C., inhibits diffusion of carbon and silicon into substrate (12).

Abstract: An article comprising a metal circuit and/or a heat-radiating metal plate formed on a ceramic substrate, wherein the metal circuit and/or the heat-radiating metal plate comprise either (1) the following first metal-second metal bonded product, wherein the first metal and the second metal are different, or (2) the following first metal-third metal-second metal bonded product, and wherein in (1) and (2), the first metal is bonded to the ceramic substrate; first metal: a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), platinum (Pt) and an alloy containing at least one of these metal components; second metal: a metal selected from the group consisting of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), aluminum (Al) and an alloy containing at least one of these metal components; and third metal: a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W) and an alloy containing at least one of these metal components.

Abstract: A magnetic thin film forming method forms a magnetic thin film on a conductive film by electroplating using a plating bath containing Ni ions, Fe ions, Mo ions and an organic acid. A concentration of the organic acid in the plating bath is 3-20 times a concentration of the Mo ions in the plating bath. An organic acid concentration in the plating bath versus an Mo ion concentration of the plating bath is set to be a suitable value, whereby an Mo mixed amount in the magnetic thin film can be set to be a suitable value. Accordingly, a magnetic thin film having a large specific resistance value and good magnetic characteristics can be formed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film added therein a Group IV element of the periodic table such as silicon, particularly in the vicinity of the boundary between the magnetic material and the formed DLC film. Since a DLC having low friction coefficient can be formed, the centerline average roughness can be reduced to 30 nm or even less. Accordingly, a magnetic recording medium improved in magnetic properties and in lubricity can be obtained.

Abstract: A furnace component having a tungsten-based substrate whose surface is protected by a rhenium-based layer in order to render the component less reactive to quartz, glass and other forms of silica. The layer preferably consists essentially of rhenium or rhenium with alloying additions of tungsten. The substrate may be formed of concentric layers of different tungsten-based alloys in order to tailor the physical and mechanical properties of the component. A preferred method of forming the rhenium layer is to wrap the substrate with a rhenium-based wire, and then heat the wire and substrate to sinter and bond the wire to the substrate. Alternatively, the substrate and rhenium layer can be formed by isostatic pressing. Both methods are performed so that the substrate and layer have densities of at least about 96% of their respective theoretical densities.

Abstract: In a phase-change recording medium, a recording medium is provided with a barrier layer including Ge--N, Ge--N--O between a recording layer and a dielectric protective layer in order to prevent a chemical reaction and an atom diffusion between the recording layer and the dielectric protective layer. A barrier material can be also applied to the protective layer itself. Thereby, it is possible to considerably suppress a reduction of a reflectivity and a reduction of a signal amplitude due to the repeat of recording and erasing, such reductions being observed in a conventional phase-change optical information recording medium, and thereby the number of overwriting times can be increased.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a barrier layer deposited directly on the magnetic recording layer is described. The barrier layer is deposited by sputter deposition under a nitrogen-containing sputtering atmosphere to form a nitrogen-containing chromium or chromium alloy barrier layer. The barrier layer is effective to inhibit migration of cobalt from the underlying magnetic recording layer, reducing corrosion of the medium and improving magnetic recording performance.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic disk comprises the step of depositing a metallic layer on a glass substrate and laser texturing the metallic layer. The magnetic disk is then completed by deposition of (a) an underlayer such as Cr or sputtered NiP, (b) a magnetic layer such as a Co or Fe alloy, and (c) a protective overcoat such as ZrO.sub.2, carbon or hydrogenated carbon. By providing the above-mentioned metallic layer, laser texturing can now be used in conjunction with glass substrates.

Abstract: A recording medium on a hard disk is provided that includes a magnetic data recording layer on the disk, a hydrogenated carbon buffer layer over the data recording layer, and a nitrogenated carbon overcoat layer over the hydrogenated carbon buffer layer. The composition ratios and thickness of the recording and nitrogenated carbon overcoat layers are suitably controlled to optimum ranges.

Abstract: A bond coat and method of forming a bond coat for a thermal barrier coating system are set forth. The bond coat is a roughened bond coat and comprises a layer possessing an uneven, undulated, and irregular surface. The layer is formed of a metal powder mixture disposed on a substrate, such as a turbine component, by high velocity oxygen fuel spraying. The metal powder mixture comprises at least one of a first powder having a first melting point and a second powder having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point. The bond coat's uneven, undulated, and irregular surface enhances prevention of de-bonding of elements in a thermal barrier coating system.

Abstract: The invention provides for a functionally-graded metal substrate that is made of at least two metal compositions, a functional insert and a surrounding body that surrounds the functional insert. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a functional insert powder composition of loose powder metal is placed in a compact of a surrounding body powder composition and both metal compositions are sintered in a sintering furnace to form a sintered part. The sintered part is infiltrated in part or in whole with a molten metal compound to produce a functionally graded metal substrate having a density of at least 90% of theoretical. A heat-generating component such as a chip can be attached to the metal substrate for use in microelectronic packaging. When the functionally-graded metal substrate has two discrete compositions of copper/tungsten the surrounding body which has a CTE that ranges from about 5.6ppm/.degree. C. to about 7 ppm/.degree. C.

Abstract: A very-high-performance ultrahigh-density vertical-magnetic-recording disk and associated method of manufacture is disclosed. The magnetic-recording disk has a rigid disk-shaped substrate composed of a titanium alloy or an austenitic stainless steel, an iron oxide layer overlying one or both surfaces of the substrate, and a barium ferrite layer overlying the iron oxide layer. The iron oxide and barium ferrite layers are applied by high-radiofrequency sputtering with high-radiofrequency substrate biasing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for forming a lubricant layer of differing thickness on distinct zones of a maonetic disk of a hard disk drive without heating, inert gas plasma and UV-radiation or E-beam exposition. According to the present invention. an overcoat layer with distinct zones of differing thickness is first sputtered on the disk surface by using distinct masks under different sputtering conditions. A lubricant layer is then uniformly coated on the overcoat layer. Since a part of lubricant is bonded to the overcoat to form a bonded lubricant layer and the thickness of the bonded lubricant layer relates to the overcoat layer's property, a free lubricant layer with zoned thickness is consequently formed, which the free lubricant layer consists of the leftover lubricant. The zoned lubricant layer of the invention hence decreases the flying stiction.

Abstract: A magnetic disk having improved tribological characteristics in the data zone of the disk surface while retaining a low sliding stiction in the landing zone is disclosed. It contains the conventional elements of a substrate, a magnetic recording layer, a protective overcoat, and a lubricant layer on the protective overcoat. However, the lubricant layer is UV irradiated under a photo mask to cause a radially inner zone and a radially outer zone. The photo mask is designed so that the radially outer zone of the lubricant layer has a ratio of bonded/unbonded lubricant molecules greater than that in the radially inner zone. The reduced proportion of mobile lubricant molecules in the data zone prevents the lubricant molecules from being collected by the magnetic head. On the other hand, a large proportion of the lubricant molecules in the landing zone remained mobile. This allowed the sliding stiction in the landing zone to stay at the desiredly low value.

Abstract: An electrical conductor has a copper base substrate coated with a tin base coating layer. To inhibit the formation of a copper/tin intermetallic and the resultant depletion of the free, unreacted, tin utilized as an oxidation and corrosion barrier, a barrier is interposed between the substrate and the coating. In a first embodiment, the barrier is formed from multiple constituent layers, at least one of which is copper. The thickness ("y") of the copper layer is dependent on the anticipated service temperature and satisfies the equation y=(-1.52+0.0871x+0.00859 t).+-.50% where t=anticipated time at the service temperature, x=anticipated service temperature (Celsius), and y=the thickness of the copper layer in microinches. In a second embodiment, the barrier layer is formed from one or more constituent layers, at least one of which is iron or iron base.

Abstract: A sputter target assembly includes a cobalt target diffusion bonded to an aluminum or copper backing plate by means of a titanium interlayer. The sputter target assembly may be made by hot vacuum pressing or, preferably, by hot isostatically pressing the target, interlayer and backing plate together. Preferably, the titanium interlayer is provided as a foil, but may also be formed on a mating surface of either the target or the backing plate by electroplating, sputtering, electroless plating, or plasma spraying. The target may be advantageously machined with grooves defining salient points prior to providing the interlayer.

Abstract: An Mg based article excellent in plating adhesion which is produced with an Mg alloy base material regardless of its kind by forming a Zn layer of an average thickness of 0.60 .mu.m or more, or a Zn deposition of 0.43 mg/cm.sup.2 or more formed on the Mg alloy base material and a method of producing the article with good efficiency are provided.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording medium having a non-magnetic disk substrate and a magnetic film formed on the surface of the non-magnetic disk substrate, a surface average roughness factor Ra(r) on the surface of the medium being from 0.3 nm to 3 nm, an orientation ratio of coercivity being from 0.1 to 0.7, and an in-plane magnetic anisotropic energy being from 3.times.10.sup.4 J/m.sup.3 to 5.times.10.sup.5 J/m.sup.3. By using such a medium, it is possible to provide a magnetic recording apparatus in which the magnetic head is capable of flying in a low position and high-density recording is achieved.

Abstract: Composite nanoparticles comprising an elemental metal core surrounded by a metal-containing shell material are described wherein the particles have an average diameter of from about 5-500 nm; the core metal is preferably selected from the group consisting of the transition metals and especially Fe, Co and Ni, whereas the shell material is advantageously a metal such as an alkaline earth metal, or a metal salt such as a metal oxide or metal halide. The shell material is preferably more oxophilic than the elemental core material, enabling the core metal to remain purely metallic. These core/shell composite particles can be used to fabricate magnetizable recording media such as tapes and disks.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film added therein a Group IV element of the periodic table such as silicon, particularly in the vicinity of the boundary between the magnetic material and the formed DLC film. Since a DLC having low friction coefficient can be formed, the centerline average roughness can be reduced to 30 nm or even less. Accordingly, a magnetic recording medium improved in magnetic properties and in lubricity can be obtained.

Abstract: In conjunction with a recording medium for recording and reading information by utilizing the construction of AFM or STM and the polarization reversal of a ferroelectric material as well as an information processing apparatus having the recording medium, an object of the invention is to tailor the medium noiseless and sufficiently reliable to withstand repetitive data rewriting. The recording medium has a ferroelectric layer having unidirectionally oriented crystal axes on a substrate, and the ferroelectric layer has a ten point mean roughness Rz of up to 2 nm across a reference length of 500 nm over at least 80% of its surface. A protective layer or a lubricating layer may be disposed on the surface of the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a molded-in lifter for supporting a fabric liner of a flexible magnetic recording disc so that the disc is cleaned by rotation of the disc with respect to the liner when the disc is housed within a cartridge. The lifter is a raised rib that has a controlled height typically provided by deforming a molded-in rib to the desired height. The cartridge may also include a recess in the shell opposite the rib to receive the rib and prevent or reduce compression of the media if the cartridge is compressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high-coercivity magnetic recording media used in a hard disk drive. The magnetic recording medium comprises a nonmagnetic substrate, a seed layer comprising NiAl alloy sputtered onto the substrate, a sublayer comprising CrV alloy sputtered onto the seed layer, a magnetic layer comprising CoCrPtTaNb alloy sputtered onto the sublayer, and a carbon overcoat sputtered onto the magnetic layer. The magnetic recording medium of such a structure has improved signal-to-noise ratio, coercivity, overwrite capability, and orientation ratio thereby greatly improving the storage density and read/write capacity of the magnetic recording medium. Furthermore, the coercivity of the magnetic layer of CoCrPtTaNb alloy according to the present invention can be as high as 4000 Oersteds even without the use of the NiAl seed layer.

Abstract: A magnetic disk which includes a thin film magnetic layer resistant to thermal erasures caused by a rise in localized temperature in the disk due to head disk interference includes a substrate having a thermal diffusivity of less than about 2.times.10.sup.-6 m.sup.2 /sec and a magnetic layer for storing information which is subject to erasure upon such use in localized temperature generated by the head disk interference. An underlayer below the magnetic layer is provided for orienting crystalline structure of the magnetic layer, and the heat sink layer directly above the substrate and directly below the underlayer has a single material such as chromium. The heat sink layer has sufficient thermal diffusivity and sufficient thickness for dissipating heat generated by the rise in localized temperature caused by head disk interference to prevent the erasure of stored information in the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording has very low warp characteristics but excellent film characteristics. Particularly, the recording medium has a high coercivity with a small range of coercivity distribution, with a warp characteristic below 3 .mu.m per radial inch. The medium is formed by heating a substrate at a high temperature with a temperature distribution on the substrate that is improved by the use of a heat distribution mask, which reduces the temperature distribution of the substrate to below .+-.3%.

Abstract: Hydrogen-treated, sputter deposited, titanium nodules providing enhanced micro-texturing for thin film, magnetic, disk media.