Hardened and lubricated load/unload ramp and method for preparing the same

Abstract

A disc drive load/unload ramp incorporates a coat of hardened film, the hardened film providing a surface that is more wear resistant and less likely to result in debris formation during normal disc drive use. The hardened surface material, which includes, but is not limited to, DLC, silicon nitrite and titanium carbide, is deposited by sputtering techniques. A disc drive compatible lubricant layer is added to the hardening film to reduce friction. A method of reducing debris formation in a disc drive having a load/unload ramp includes first depositing a hardened film on the load/unload ramp followed by depositing a lubricant layer on the hardened film.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.