The storage stability of metal particle media : Chemical analysis and kinetics of lubricant and binder hydrolysis

Kazuko Hanai ,Yutaka Kakuishi Research & Development Center,Recording Media Products Div., Fuji Photo Film Co.Ltd. 2-12-1 Ohgi-cho Odawara Kanagawa, 250-0001, Japan [email protected] [email protected] tel: +81-465-32-2023 fax: +81-465-32-2170 Abstract Archival life of MP (metal particles) tape is one of the biggest concerns for mass data storage users. The long-term stability of a MP tape is studied in terms of lubricant and binder systems. MP formulation tape that has been used for M2 videotape and DLT3 tape for more than fourteen years is analyzed. Gas chromatography (GC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) are used to analyze chemical changes of lubricant, fatty acid ester, and binder, polyester-polyurethane. The kinetics of hydrolysis of the fatty acid ester can be described by two first-order reactions. One is estimated to be corresponding to the hydrolysis of fatty acid ester on the surface of the magnetic layer, and the other to the fatty acid ester dissolved in the binder of magnetic layer. The hydrolysis of polyester-polyurethane (PU) can also be described by a first-order reaction. A durability test reveals that this MP tape keeps its good performance after long-term storage. A magnetization decrease of about twelve percent is observed after saving for fourteen years. This small decrease does not affect the above mentioned good performance.