Abstract: At least part of the surface of a read/write element of the magnetic head surface is coated with low surface energy materials. The low surface energy materials have sufficient humidity resistance, wetting resistance, and hydrophobicity to repel water from the coated surfaces. Such properties yield improved corrosion resistance for the coated surfaces. The low surface energy materials include fluorocarbon compounds (FCOC) and special materials such as perfluoroalkylpolyoxyethyleneethanol. The low surface energy materials are coated on the magnetic heads as thin films. The thin films have a thickness in the range of 5-100 angstroms, but are preferred in the range of 10-20 angstroms. The thin films provide sufficient adhesion on and corrosion protection of the heads without decreasing their performance.