Apparatus and method for reclaiming a disk substrate for use in a data storage device

A process of reclaiming a plurality of disk substrates for use in a data storage device, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of glass disks, each having at least one layer coated on a top and a bottom surface thereof;
• stripping at least a portion of the at least one layer from the said surfaces of the disks immersing the disks in a bath comprising water, hydrochloric acid and nitric acid;
• sorting the stripped disks into a plurality of groups based on disk thickness;
• simultaneously polishing a plurality of the sorted disks from a selected one of the groups by placing the plurality of the sorted disks from the selected group in a carrier between an upper polishing pad and a lower polishing pad and controlling the relative velocity of the polishing pads as seen by the sorted glass so that a substantially equal amount of stock is removed from each of said surfaces of the sorted disks;
• cleaning the polished disks.

A process of reclaiming a plurality of disk substrates for use in a data storage device, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of disks, each having at least one layer coated on a top and a bottom surface thereof;
• stripping at least a portion of the at least one layer from said surfaces of the disks;
• immersing the disks in a bath comprising water, hydrochloric acid and nitric acid;
• polishing a plurality of the stripped disks by placing a plurality of the stripped disks in a carrier between an upper polishing pad and a lower polishing pad and controlling the relative velocity of the polishing pads as seen by the stripped disks so that a substantially equal amount of stock is removed from each of said surfaces of the stripped disks;
• ordering the polished disks in a cassette for stacking in a data storage device based on disk thickness;
• cleaning the polished disks.