Process for manufacturing a protective polysilicate layer of a record member by a laser beam and a magnetic record member suitably manufactured thereby

Abstract

A protective polysilicate layer for a thin magnetic metal member, such as a magnetic disk or a magnetic drum, is manufactured by pre-baking a layer of a solution of tetrahydroxysilane, for example, at 200.degree. C. for one hour. Condensation polymerization of the tetrahydroxysilane is subsequently promoted by irradiating the pre-baked layer by a laser beam having a wavelength between 4 and 50 microns, preferably between 9 and 11 microns, such as a carbon dioxide laser beam. The magnetic metal film reflects the laser beam. Preferably, a thin layer, such as less than 0.05 micron thick, of a material capable of reflecting the laser beam, is formed on the magnetic metal film before application of the tetrahydroxysilane solution. The irradiation may be carried out either simply directly or through a laser beam collector. Alternatively, a pair of pre-baked layers may simultaneously be treated by juxtaposing another half-finished magnetic record member and causing the laser beam to be repeatedly reflected by the magnetic metal films and/or the reflective layers. A reflector may be substituted for the other half-finished magnetic record member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.