Abstract: A process is described for the modification of the outermost atomic layer of a substrate, such as a carbon layer having hydrogen atoms bonded at the surface, in a plasma chamber to covalently bond carbon-flourine groups such as CF.sub.3 groups to carbon atoms in the surface. After establishing a plasma process in which both etching and deposition are ocurring, a fluorinated gas is injected into the chamber to allow CF.sub.3 groups to bond to the surface. The process does not apply of a layer with a defined thickness, but rather conditions the surface for desired properties of high affinity for lubricants and low affinity for contaminants. The invention is particularly useful for heads and disks for use in magnetic recording.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of increasing the lubricant retention of a magnetic layer, wherein a magnetic layer, containing magnetic particles dispersed in a curable organic binder system and organic solvents and an additive, is cured in a two-step process, wherein the magnetic layer, in a first step, is heated in an inert gas for a given time to a given temperature and, in a second step, in an inert gas to which oxygen has been added, for a given time to a given temperature. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic layer with polyvinyl methyl ether (PVME) as an additive is heated in nitrogen for 2.5 hours to 234.degree. C. and, after cooling down, in a nitrogen atmosphere containing 30 vol % oxygen for 60 minutes to 234.degree. C. In the first step, this kind of curing leads to polymerization of the binder and phase separation of PVME and in the second step of oxidation of PVME, forming a plurality of pores in the magnetic layer.