Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising a substrate, a ferromagnetic metal thin film on the substrate, and a topcoat on the thin film exhibits improved strength and durability when the topcoat is comprised of a plasma-polymerized film prepared by activating a gaseous hydrocarbon monomer or a mixture thereof with a carrier gas into a plasma under specific conditions. The plasma-polymerized film consists of carbon and hydrogen in an atomic ratio of C/H of from 1:1 to 6:1 and has a thickness of 3 to 15 .ANG. and a contact angle with water in the range from 60.degree. to 120.degree.. An organic coating may be present on the plasma-polymerized film.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium for use in video and other applications is presented which comprises a substrate, a continuous thin magnetic layer of cobalt and at least one selected from nickel, chromium, and oxygen, preferably obliquely evaporated on the substrate, and a topcoat formed over the magnetic layer and made of a phosphate compound having the formula: ##STR1## where R is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radicals having 10 to 22 carbon atoms which may be saturated or have an unsaturated double bond in their backbone, and substituted or unsubstituted aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl and alkylarylalkyl radicals having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, andY.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 may be the same or different and selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, cations, and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl and aryl radicals, the alkyl radicals being saturated or having an unsaturated double bond in their backbone, and Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 may together represent a divalent cation.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium for use in video and other applications is presented which comprises a substrate, a continuous thin magnetic layer of cobalt and at least one selected from nickel, chromium, and oxygen, preferably obliquely evaporated on the substrate, and a topcoat formed over the magnetic layer and consisting of a monoalkylamine in which the alkyl contains 10 to 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium for use in video and other applications is presented which comprises a substrate, a continuous thin magnetic layer of cobalt and at least one selected from nickel, chromium, and oxygen, preferably obliquely evaporated on the substrate, and a topcoat formed over the magnetic layer and made of a phosphate compound having the formula: ##STR1## where R is selected from alkyl radicals having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, and Y and Y' are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, alkyl radicals and monovalent cations, and Y and Y' may together represent a divalent cation.