Abstract: A magnetic head slider having an air inlet end an an air outlet end, and includes a pair of rails formed on a disk opposing surface opposed to a magnetic disk, each of the rails having a flat air bearing surface for generating a flying force during rotation of the disk, and an electromagnetic transducer formed on one of the rails in the vicinity of the air outlet end. The magnetic head slider further includes a plurality of streamlined pads formed on the air bearing surfaces of the rails in the vicinity of the air inlet end and in the vicinity of the air outlet end.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a durability of a magnetic disk includes the steps of (a) obtaining conditions under which a sliding contact state of a first head with respect to a surface of a first magnetic disk stabilizes, and (b) causing a second head to make sliding contact with a surface of a second magnetic disk under the conditions and evaluating a durability of the second magnetic disk.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider producing apparatus includes a rotary lapping member having a lapping surface, a work member having a surface, and an elastic member fastened to the surface of the work member. The elastic member has [adhesion properties] adhesive characteristics. Magnetic head sliders each have a back surface, and rail surfaces in which magnetic heads are embedded. The back surface of each of the magnetic head sliders is in contact with the elastic member, and the magnetic head sliders are adhesively held by the elastic member [due to the adhesion thereof]. The work member is positioned so that the rail surface of each of the magnetic head sliders comes into contact with the lapping surface of the rotary lapping member.