WO2023100872A1

WO2023100872A1 - Magnetic tape cartridge, and magnetic recording/playback device

Info

Publication number: WO2023100872A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/043986
Authority: WO
Inventors: 成人笠田
Original assignee: 富士フイルム株式会社
Priority date: 2021-12-02
Filing date: 2022-11-29
Publication date: 2023-06-08
Also published as: JPWO2023100872A1

Abstract

Provided are: a magnetic tape cartridge in which a magnetic tape is accommodated; and a magnetic recording/playback device including the magnetic tape cartridge. The magnetic tape includes a polyethylene naphthalate support having a Young's modulus in the width direction of 10,000 MPa or more. A medium life of the magnetic tape calculated using a linear function of logarithm logeT of A and T is 3 years or more, which is derived from a value of A and a value of logarithm logeT of T which are respectively obtained when A is the maximum value of the absolute value of the difference between the servo band interval obtained before storage under an environment of 32 °C and a relative humidity of 80% and the servo band interval obtained after storage for the storage time T under said environment, and T is 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours, or 120 hours.

Description

Magnetic tape cartridges and magnetic recording/playback devices

The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cartridge and a magnetic recording/reproducing device.

There are tape-shaped and disk-shaped magnetic recording media, and tape-shaped magnetic recording media, that is, magnetic tapes, are mainly used for various data storage applications (see Patent Document 1, for example).

Patent No. 6590102

Data is recorded on a magnetic tape by running the magnetic tape inside a magnetic recording/reproducing device (generally called a "drive") and making the magnetic head follow the data band of the magnetic tape to record the data on the data band. It is done by recording. A data track is thereby formed in the data band. When reproducing the recorded data, the magnetic tape is run in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, and the magnetic head follows the data band of the magnetic tape to read the data recorded on the data band. After such recording or reproduction, the magnetic tape is wound on a reel (hereinafter referred to as "cartridge reel") in the magnetic tape cartridge until the next recording and/or reproduction is performed. , is stored.

When recording and/or reproduction is performed after the above storage, deformation of the magnetic tape causes the magnetic head for recording and/or reproduction of data to deviate from the target track position and record and/or reproduce data. As a result, phenomena such as overwriting of recorded data and defective reproduction occur. On the other hand, in recent years, in the field of data storage, there is an increasing need for long-term storage of data called an archive. However, in general, the longer the storage period, the more easily the magnetic tape tends to be deformed. Therefore, it is expected that there will be a greater need in the future to suppress the occurrence of the above phenomenon after storage.

In view of the above, one aspect of the present invention is to enable good recording and/or reproduction of data on and/or reproduction of data on a magnetic tape after storage in a magnetic tape cartridge. aim.

One aspect of the present invention is as follows.
[1] A magnetic tape cartridge containing a magnetic tape wound around a cartridge reel (hereinafter also simply referred to as "reel"),
The magnetic tape has a non-magnetic support and a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder,
The non-magnetic support is a polyethylene naphthalate support having a Young's modulus in the width direction of 10000 MPa or more,
The magnetic layer has a plurality of servo bands,
The maximum absolute value of the difference between the servo band interval obtained before storage under the environment of temperature 32°C and relative humidity of 80% and the servo band interval obtained after storage under the above environment for the storage time T is A, the unit of A is μm, and T is 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours, _or 120 hours. , a medium life calculated by a linear function of the logarithm log _e T of A and T (hereinafter also referred to as "medium life") is 3 years or more,
The above medium life is expressed by the following formula 1:
(Formula 1)
A = 1.5 - B
is T when satisfying
The above B is
Under the following 5 environments:
temperature 16°C relative humidity 20%,
temperature 16°C relative humidity 80%,
temperature 26°C relative humidity 80%,
temperature 32°C relative humidity 20%,
temperature 32°C relative humidity 55%,
A value calculated by multiplying the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value in the servo band interval obtained by 1/2 by 1, and the unit is μm.
[2] The magnetic tape cartridge according to [1], wherein the medium life is 3 years or more and 200 years or less.
[3] The magnetic tape cartridge according to [1] or [2], wherein the polyethylene naphthalate support has a Young's modulus in the width direction of 10000 MPa or more and 20000 MPa or less.
[4] The magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the magnetic tape further has a non-magnetic layer containing non-magnetic powder between the non-magnetic support and the magnetic layer. .
[5] Any one of [1] to [4], wherein the magnetic tape further has a back coat layer containing a non-magnetic powder on the surface side opposite to the surface side having the magnetic layer of the non-magnetic support. A magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the above.
[6] The magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the thickness of the magnetic tape is 5.2 μm or less.
[7] The magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the perpendicular squareness ratio of the magnetic tape is 0.60 or more.
[8] A magnetic recording/reproducing device including the magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of [1] to [7].
[9] The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus according to [8], further comprising a magnetic head having a reproducing element width of 0.8 μm or less.
[10] the magnetic tape cartridge;
a take-up reel;
including
Between the take-up reel and the cartridge reel of the magnetic tape cartridge, the magnetic tape is run with tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape, and the maximum value of the tension is 0.50 N (Newton) or more. and winding the magnetic tape after running with the tension applied to the cartridge reel of the magnetic tape cartridge by applying a tension of 0.40 N or less in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape; Or the magnetic recording/reproducing device according to [9].

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily record and/or reproduce data on and/or reproduce data from a magnetic tape stored in a magnetic tape cartridge.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a magnetic recording/reproducing device; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example magnetic tape cartridge; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view when starting to wind the magnetic tape around the reel; FIG. 4 is a perspective view when winding the magnetic tape around the reel is finished; An example arrangement of data bands and servo bands is shown. An example of servo pattern arrangement for an LTO (Linear Tape-Open) Ultrium format tape is shown.

One aspect of the present invention relates to the above magnetic tape cartridge.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a magnetic recording/reproducing device including the magnetic tape cartridge.

The magnetic tape cartridge includes a magnetic tape and a cartridge reel. In an unused magnetic tape cartridge before it is attached to a magnetic recording/reproducing device for recording and/or reproducing data, the magnetic tape is usually housed in a wound state on a cartridge reel. In a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, a magnetic tape can be run between a cartridge reel (supply reel) and a take-up reel to record data on the magnetic tape and/or reproduce recorded data. After the data has been recorded or reproduced, the magnetic tape is rewound onto the cartridge reel and stored in the magnetic tape cartridge while being wound around the cartridge reel until the next recording and/or reproduction is performed. .
During storage, in the magnetic tape housed in the magnetic tape cartridge, the portion close to the cartridge reel is deformed wider than the initial width due to the compressive stress in the tape thickness direction, and the portion far from the cartridge reel becomes wider than the initial width due to the tensile stress in the longitudinal direction of the tape. It is presumed that different deformation occurs depending on the position, such as narrow deformation. It is thought that if deformation that varies greatly depending on the position occurs, it may cause the magnetic head to record and/or reproduce data at a position deviated from the target track position when recording and/or reproducing after storage. be done.
The above deformation is mainly caused by the stress received during storage, and the temperature and humidity of the environment where data is recorded and/or played back (hereinafter referred to as "usage environment"). The present inventor considered that there are deformations that mainly occur as a result. The inventor of the present invention has made extensive studies and found that comprehensive consideration of the deformation caused by the above factors is effective in recording and/or reproducing data on a magnetic tape after it is housed and stored in a magnetic tape cartridge. I came to think that it would lead to making it possible to record and/or reproduce. As a result of further intensive studies, the inventors of the present invention have adopted the medium life as a comprehensive indicator of deformation caused by the above factors. The present inventors have newly found that data can be recorded and/or reproduced satisfactorily on a magnetic tape after being housed in a cartridge and stored.

The magnetic tape cartridge and the magnetic recording/reproducing device will be described in more detail below. Hereinafter, one form of the magnetic tape cartridge and the magnetic recording/reproducing device may be described with reference to the drawings. However, the magnetic tape cartridge and the magnetic recording/reproducing device are not limited to the forms shown in the drawings. Also, the present invention is not limited by the speculations of the inventors described herein.

[Media Life]
The method for measuring the medium life described above will be described below.

<Derivation Procedure of Linear Function>
(Measurement of servo band interval)
In order to derive Equation 1 for calculating A, various servo band intervals are measured by the following method.
The measurement of the servo band interval before storage is performed in a measurement environment with an atmospheric temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50%. A magnetic tape cartridge to be measured is placed in an environment with an ambient temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50% for 5 days in order to adapt to the measurement environment.
After that, in a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having a tension adjusting mechanism that applies tension in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape under a measurement environment of an atmospheric temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50%, a state in which a tension of 0.70 N is applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. run the magnetic tape. During this running, the interval between two adjacent servo bands sandwiching the data band is measured at intervals of 1 m over the entire length of the magnetic tape. In the measurement for obtaining the various values described in the present invention and this specification, the value of the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape is the set value set in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. In addition, in the present invention and this specification, "measured at intervals of 1 m" means that for a measurement target area having a length of L meters (m), the position of one end of the measurement target area is 0 m, and the direction toward the other end , and the position of the other end is Lm, the first measurement position is the position of 1m, and the last measurement position is one position before the position of Lm is the position of Also, when there are a plurality of servo band intervals, the servo band intervals are similarly measured for all the servo band intervals. The servo band interval thus measured is defined as the "servo band interval before storage" at each measurement position.
Thereafter, the magnetic tape cartridge is stored for 24 hours in a storage environment with an ambient temperature of 32° C. and a relative humidity of 80%.
After such storage, the magnetic tape cartridge is placed in a measurement environment with an atmospheric temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50% for 5 days in order to adapt to the measurement environment. In a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having an adjusting mechanism, a magnetic tape is run with a tension of 0.70 N applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. For such runs, the servo band spacing is measured in the same manner as previously described. The servo band interval thus measured is defined as the "servo band interval after 24-hour storage" at each measurement position.
For all servo band intervals, the difference between the servo band interval before storage and the servo band interval after storage measured at intervals of 1 m is obtained. A plurality of difference values are thus obtained. Let the maximum value of the absolute values of the obtained differences be "A after storage for 24 hours". The unit of A is μm. This point is the same for the following various types of A.
The interval between two adjacent servo bands sandwiching a data band can be obtained using, for example, PES (Position Error Signal) obtained from a servo signal obtained by reading a servo pattern with a servo signal reading element. For details, the description of Examples described later can be referred to.
After measuring the servo band interval after storage for 24 hours, the magnetic tape cartridge is stored in a storage environment with an ambient temperature of 32° C. and a relative humidity of 80% for 48 hours.
After such storage, the magnetic tape cartridge is placed in a measurement environment with an atmospheric temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50% for 5 days, and then, under the same measurement environment, a magnetic recording/reproduction having a tension adjusting mechanism that applies tension in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. In the device, the magnetic tape is run while a tension of 0.70 N is applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. For such runs, the servo band spacing is measured in the same manner as previously described. The servo band interval thus measured is defined as "servo band interval after storage for 48 hours" at each measurement position.
For all servo band intervals, the difference between the servo band interval before storage and the servo band interval after storage measured at intervals of 1 m is obtained. A plurality of difference values are thus obtained. Let the maximum value of the absolute values of the calculated differences be "A after storage for 48 hours".
After measuring the servo band interval after storage for 48 hours, the magnetic tape cartridge is stored in a storage environment with an ambient temperature of 32° C. and a relative humidity of 80% for 72 hours.
After such storage, the magnetic tape cartridge is placed in a measurement environment with an atmospheric temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50% for 5 days, and then, under the same measurement environment, a magnetic recording/reproduction having a tension adjusting mechanism that applies tension in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. In the device, the magnetic tape is run while a tension of 0.70 N is applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. For such runs, the servo band spacing is measured in the same manner as previously described. The servo band interval thus measured is defined as "servo band interval after storage for 72 hours" at each measurement position.
For all servo band intervals, the difference between the servo band interval before storage and the servo band interval after storage measured at intervals of 1 m is obtained. A plurality of difference values are thus obtained. Let the maximum value of the absolute values of the obtained differences be "A after storage for 72 hours".
After measuring the servo band interval after storage for 72 hours, the magnetic tape cartridge is stored in a storage environment with an ambient temperature of 32° C. and a relative humidity of 80% for 96 hours.
After such storage, the magnetic tape cartridge is placed in a measurement environment with an atmospheric temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50% for 5 days, and then, under the same measurement environment, a magnetic recording/reproduction having a tension adjusting mechanism that applies tension in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. In the device, the magnetic tape is run while a tension of 0.70 N is applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. For such runs, the servo band spacing is measured in the same manner as previously described. The servo band interval thus measured is defined as the "servo band interval after storage for 96 hours" at each measurement position.
For all servo band intervals, the difference between the servo band interval before storage and the servo band interval after storage measured at intervals of 1 m is obtained. A plurality of difference values are thus obtained. Let the maximum value of the absolute values of the obtained differences be "A after storage for 96 hours".
After measuring the servo band interval after storage for 96 hours, the magnetic tape cartridge is stored in a storage environment with an ambient temperature of 32° C. and a relative humidity of 80% for 120 hours.
After such storage, the magnetic tape cartridge is placed in a measurement environment with an atmospheric temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50% for 5 days, and then, under the same measurement environment, a magnetic recording/reproduction having a tension adjusting mechanism that applies tension in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. In the device, the magnetic tape is run while a tension of 0.70 N is applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. For such runs, the servo band spacing is measured in the same manner as previously described. The servo band interval thus measured is defined as the "servo band interval after storage for 120 hours" at each measurement position.
For all servo band intervals, the difference between the servo band interval before storage and the servo band interval after storage measured at intervals of 1 m is obtained. A plurality of difference values are thus obtained. Let the maximum value of the absolute values of the calculated differences be "A after 120 hours of storage".

The inventor believes that the value of A obtained as described above can serve as an indicator of deformation that occurs mainly due to the stress that the magnetic tape receives during storage in the magnetic tape cartridge.

(Derivation of linear function)
In the above process, the value of A is obtained for five types of storage times T. From these values of A and the value of the logarithm log _e T of the storage time T, a linear function of A and log _e T is derived by the method of least squares. A linear function is represented by Y=cX+d, where A is Y and log _e T is X. c and d are coefficients determined by the method of least squares, and usually both c and d are positive values.

<Decision procedure for B>
B used to find the medium life is a value determined by the following method.
B is under the following five environments: temperature 16°C relative humidity 20%, temperature 16°C relative humidity 80%, temperature 26°C relative humidity 80%, temperature 32°C relative humidity 20%, temperature 32°C relative humidity 55%. It is a value (unit: μm) calculated by multiplying the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value in each obtained servo band interval by 1/2. B is obtained by the following method.
For each measurement environment, the magnetic tape cartridge to be measured is placed in the measurement environment for 5 days in order to adapt to the measurement environment. The measurement environment is the five environments described above (that is, temperature 16 ° C. relative humidity 20%, temperature 16 ° C. relative humidity 80%, temperature 26 ° C. relative humidity 80%, temperature 32 ° C. relative humidity 20%, temperature 32 ° C. relative humidity 55%).
After that, under the measurement environment, the magnetic tape is run with a tension of 0.70 N applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape in a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having a tension adjusting mechanism that applies tension in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. Regarding the magnetic tape, the end on the side wound on the reel of the magnetic tape cartridge is called the inner end, and the end on the opposite side is called the outer end. The servo band interval is measured at intervals of 1 m in the data band 0 (zero) for the above running at intervals of 1 m in the reel outer circumference 100 m area. "Data band 0" is defined by the standard as a data band in which data is first embedded (recorded). The arithmetic mean of the measured servo band spacings is taken as the servo band spacing for that measurement environment.
After obtaining the servo band interval in each of the five environments as described above, using the maximum and minimum values among the obtained values, it is calculated as "(maximum value - minimum value) x 1/2". Let the value be "B" of the magnetic tape cartridge to be measured. The present inventor believes that B thus obtained is a value that can be an index of deformation that occurs mainly due to the temperature and humidity of the usage environment.

<Calculation of media life>
The medium life is a value calculated as T when A satisfies “Formula 1: A=1.5−B” by a linear function of the logarithm log _e T of A and T derived above. The present inventor believes that the calculated medium life is 3 years or more, that is, the time T at which A+B is 1.5 μm is 3 years or more, because the magnetic tape is stored in the magnetic tape cartridge. It is thought that this indicates that the total amount of deformation, which is the sum of the deformation mainly caused by the stress received and the deformation mainly caused by the temperature and humidity of the usage environment, does not easily increase over a long period of time. The reason for adopting 1.5 μm and 3 years as the threshold is to take into consideration the future needs for long-term storage and high-density recording. Regarding media life, one year is assumed to be 365 days. Therefore, one year is 365 x 24 hours = 8760 hours. Also, 0.5 years is 6 months and 1 month is 30 days. Therefore, 0.5 years is 6 x 30 x 24 hours = 4320 hours. The various measurement environments described above are merely examples, and the magnetic tape cartridge is not limited to storage and/or use in the illustrated environments.

The medium life of the magnetic tape cartridge is 3 from the viewpoint of enabling good recording and/or reproduction of data in the magnetic tape after storage in the magnetic tape cartridge. years or more, preferably 10 years or more, 20 years or more, 30 years or more, 40 years or more, 50 years or more, 60 years or more, 70 years or more, 80 years or more, 90 years or more, 100 years or more order is more preferred. The medium life of the magnetic tape cartridge is, for example, 250 years or less, 240 years or less, 230 years or less, 220 years or less, 210 years or less, 200 years or less, 190 years or less, 180 years or less, 170 years or less, or 160 years or less. , 150 years or less, 140 years or less, 130 years or less, or 120 years or less, and may even exceed the values exemplified herein. A method for controlling the medium life will be described later.

The value of B of the magnetic tape cartridge can be, for example, 0.0 μm or more, more than 0.0 μm, 0.05 μm or more, or 0.1 μm or more, and, for example, 2.0 μm or less, 1.5 μm or less, or 0 0.5 μm or less. However, the value of B is not limited to the above range as long as the magnetic tape cartridge has a medium life of 3 years or longer.

[Configuration of Magnetic Recording/Reproducing Device]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus.
The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 controls the recording/reproducing head unit 12 according to commands from the control device 11 to record and reproduce data on the magnetic tape MT.
The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has a structure capable of detecting and adjusting the tension exerted in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape from the spindle motors 17A and 17B that control the rotation of the cartridge reel 130 and the take-up reel 16 and their driving devices 18A and 18B. have.
The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has a configuration in which a magnetic tape cartridge 13 can be mounted.
The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has a cartridge memory read/write device 14 capable of reading from and writing to the cartridge memory 131 in the magnetic tape cartridge 13 .
From the magnetic tape cartridge 13 mounted in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus 10, the end of the magnetic tape MT or the leader pin is pulled out by an automatic loading mechanism or manually, and the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape MT is placed on the recording/reproducing head unit 12. The magnetic tape MT is passed over the recording/reproducing head through guide rollers 15A and 15B so as to contact the surface of the recording/reproducing head, and the magnetic tape MT is taken up on the take-up reel 16. FIG.
A signal from the controller 11 controls the rotation and torque of the spindle motors 17A and 17B to run the magnetic tape MT at an arbitrary speed and tension. A servo pattern preformed on the magnetic tape can be used to control the tape speed. A tension detection mechanism may be provided between the magnetic tape cartridge 13 and the take-up reel 16 to detect tension. The tension may be adjusted using the guide rollers 15A and 15B in addition to the control by the spindle motors 17A and 17B.
The cartridge memory read/write device 14 is configured to be able to read and write information from the cartridge memory 131 according to commands from the control device 11 . As a communication method between the cartridge memory read/write device 14 and the cartridge memory 131, for example, the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 14443 method can be adopted.

The control device 11 includes, for example, a control section, a storage section, a communication section, and the like.

The recording/reproducing head unit 12 is composed of, for example, a recording/reproducing head, a servo tracking actuator for adjusting the position of the recording/reproducing head in the track width direction, a recording/reproducing amplifier 19, a connector cable for connecting to the control device 11, and the like. A recording/reproducing head is composed of, for example, a recording element for recording data on a magnetic tape, a reproducing element for reproducing data from the magnetic tape, and a servo signal reading element for reading a servo signal recorded on the magnetic tape. For example, one or more recording elements, one or more reproducing elements, and one or more servo signal reading elements are mounted in one magnetic head. Alternatively, each element may be separately provided in a plurality of magnetic heads corresponding to the traveling direction of the magnetic tape.

The recording/reproducing head unit 12 is configured to be able to record data on the magnetic tape MT according to commands from the control device 11 . Further, according to a command from the control device 11, the data recorded on the magnetic tape MT can be reproduced.

The controller 11 determines the running position of the magnetic tape from the servo signal read from the servo band while the magnetic tape MT is running, and controls the servo so that the recording element and/or the reproducing element are positioned at the target running position (track position). It has a mechanism for controlling the tracking actuator. This track position control is performed, for example, by feedback control. The control device 11 has a mechanism for obtaining a servo band interval from servo signals read from two adjacent servo bands while the magnetic tape MT is running. A mechanism that controls the torque of the spindle motor 17A and the spindle motor 17B and/or the guide rollers 15A and 15B to adjust and change the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape so that the servo band interval becomes the target value. have. This tension adjustment is performed, for example, by feedback control. Further, the control device 11 can store the obtained servo band interval information in a storage unit inside the control device 11, the cartridge memory 131, an external connected device, or the like.

In the above magnetic recording/reproducing device, tension can be applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape during recording and/or reproduction. During recording and/or reproduction, the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape is constant in one form and varies in another form. Regarding the tension in the present invention and this specification, the value of the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is the tension that should be applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. Tension value used to control the adjusting mechanism. Further, the tension actually applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus can be detected by, for example, a tension detection mechanism provided between the magnetic tape cartridge 13 and the take-up reel 16 in FIG. can be detected by Furthermore, for example, so that the minimum tension does not fall below the value specified or recommended by the standard, etc., and / or the maximum tension does not exceed the value specified or recommended by the standard, etc. It can also be controlled by a control device of a magnetic recording/reproducing device or the like.

In one form, the magnetic recording/reproducing device can have a tension adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape running in the magnetic recording/reproducing device in the longitudinal direction. Such a tension adjusting mechanism can variably control the tension applied to the magnetic tape in the longitudinal direction, and preferably controls the widthwise dimension of the magnetic tape by adjusting the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. be able to. In the tension adjustment described above, the tension applied to the magnetic tape in the longitudinal direction can be changed. An example of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having a tension adjusting mechanism is as described above with reference to FIG. However, the invention is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[Magnetic tape cartridge]
2. Description of the Related Art In a magnetic tape cartridge before it is mounted on a magnetic recording/reproducing device and after it is removed from the magnetic recording/reproducing device, a magnetic tape is generally wound around a cartridge reel and housed inside the cartridge body. The cartridge reel is rotatably provided inside the cartridge body. As magnetic tape cartridges, a single reel type magnetic tape cartridge having one reel inside the cartridge body and a dual reel type magnetic tape cartridge having two reels inside the cartridge body are widely used. The magnetic tape cartridge can be a single reel type magnetic tape cartridge in one form, and can be a dual reel type magnetic tape cartridge in another form. Regarding twin-reel type magnetic tape cartridges, the cartridge reel refers to the reel on which the magnetic tape after data recording and/or reproduction is mainly taken up when it is stored, and the other reel is taken up. shall be called a reel. When a single-reel type magnetic tape cartridge is mounted on a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data on the magnetic tape, the magnetic tape is pulled out from the magnetic tape cartridge, for example, as shown in FIG. It is taken up on the take-up reel of the magnetic recording/reproducing device as shown. A magnetic head is arranged in the magnetic tape transport path from the magnetic tape cartridge to the take-up reel. The magnetic tape is fed and wound between the cartridge reel (also called "supply reel") of the magnetic tape cartridge and the take-up reel of the magnetic recording/reproducing device, thereby running the magnetic tape. During this time, data is recorded and/or reproduced by, for example, contacting and sliding between the magnetic head and the magnetic layer surface of the magnetic tape. On the other hand, a twin-reel magnetic tape cartridge has both a supply reel and a take-up reel inside the magnetic tape cartridge. In one form, the magnetic tape cartridge is preferably a single-reel magnetic tape cartridge that has been mainly used in the data storage field in recent years.

In one form, the magnetic tape cartridge can include a cartridge memory. The cartridge memory can be, for example, a non-volatile memory, and either the tension adjustment information is already recorded or the tension adjustment information is recorded. The tension adjustment information is information for adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape in the longitudinal direction. Regarding the cartridge memory, reference can also be made to the previous description.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. 2 shows a single reel type magnetic tape cartridge.

The magnetic tape cartridge 13 shown in FIG. 2 has a case 112 . The case 112 is formed in a rectangular box shape. The case 112 is normally made of resin such as polycarbonate. Only one reel 130 is rotatably accommodated inside the case 112 .

Fig. 3 is a perspective view when starting to wind the magnetic tape around the reel. FIG. 4 is a perspective view when the magnetic tape has been completely wound around the reel.

The reel 130 has a cylindrical reel hub 122 forming an axial center.

The reel hub is a cylindrical member that constitutes the axial center around which the magnetic tape is wound within the magnetic tape cartridge. In the above magnetic tape cartridge, the reel hub may be a single-layered cylindrical member, or may be a multi-layered cylindrical member having two or more layers. From the viewpoint of manufacturing cost and ease of manufacturing, the reel hub is preferably a single-layered cylindrical member.

The present inventor believes that the high rigidity of the reel hub around which the reel is wound within the magnetic tape cartridge is preferable in order to increase the value of the medium life. This is for the following reasons.
When the magnetic tape is wound, the reel hub receives a tightening force toward the center and tends to deform in the direction of decreasing the diameter. On the cartridge core side of the magnetic tape, a compressive stress is generated in the direction in which the tape length is shortened so as to correspond to the deformation of the reel hub. presumed to occur. It is believed that the greater the stress generated in this way, the more likely the magnetic tape will undergo large deformation during storage in the magnetic tape cartridge. On the other hand, if the rigidity of the reel hub is high, it is possible to suppress the deformation described above, so it is possible to suppress the generation of the stress described above. be done. From this point, in one embodiment, the bending elastic modulus of the material constituting at least the outer peripheral surface layer portion of the reel hub is preferably 5 GPa or more, more preferably 6 GPa or more, and even more preferably 7 GPa or more. , 8 GPa or more. The flexural modulus can be, for example, 20 GPa or less, 15 GPa or less, or 10 GPa or less. However, since a high flexural modulus is preferable from the viewpoint of suppressing deformation of the reel hub, the flexural modulus may exceed the values exemplified here.

When the reel hub is a single-layered cylindrical member, the bending elastic modulus is the bending elastic modulus of the material that constitutes the cylindrical member. On the other hand, when the reel hub is a cylindrical member having a multi-layer structure of two or more layers, the bending elastic modulus is the bending elastic modulus of the material forming at least the outer peripheral side surface layer of the reel hub. In the present invention and the specification, "flexural modulus" is a value determined according to JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) K 7171:2016. JIS K 7171:2016 is a Japanese Industrial Standard created based on ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 178 and Amendment 1:2013 published as the 5th edition in 2010 without changing the technical content. A test piece used for measuring the flexural modulus is prepared according to JIS K 7171:2016 Item 6 "Test piece".

Examples of materials that make up the reel hub include resins and metals. Examples of metals include aluminum. Resin is preferable from the viewpoint of cost, productivity, and the like. Examples of resins include fiber-reinforced resins. Examples of fiber reinforced resins include glass fiber reinforced resins and carbon fiber reinforced resins. Fiber-reinforced polycarbonate is preferable as such a fiber-reinforced resin. This is because polycarbonate is easily procured and can be molded with high precision and at low cost using a general-purpose molding machine such as an injection molding machine. Moreover, in the glass fiber reinforced resin, it is preferable that the content of the glass fiber is 15% by mass or more. The higher the glass fiber content, the higher the flexural modulus of the glass fiber reinforced resin. As an example, the glass fiber content of the glass fiber reinforced resin may be 50% by mass or less or 40% by mass or less. In one form, glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate is preferable as the resin constituting the reel hub. As the resin constituting the reel hub, a high-strength resin generally called super engineering plastic can be used. One example of super engineering plastics is polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

The thickness of the reel hub is preferably in the range of 2.0 to 3.0 mm from the viewpoint of achieving both the strength of the reel hub and dimensional accuracy during molding. The thickness of the reel hub refers to the total thickness of the multi-layered reel hub of two or more layers. The outer diameter of the reel hub is usually determined by the standard of the magnetic recording/reproducing device, and can be in the range of 20 to 60 mm, for example.

Both ends of the reel hub 122 are provided with flanges (lower flange 124 and upper flange 126) projecting radially outward from the lower end and upper end of the reel hub 122, respectively. Here, regarding "upper" and "lower", when the magnetic tape cartridge is mounted in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, the upper side is referred to as "upper", and the lower side is referred to as "lower". One or both of the lower flange 124 and the upper flange 126 are preferably configured integrally with the reel hub 122 from the viewpoint of reinforcing the upper end side and/or the lower end side of the reel hub 122 . Integrally configured means configured as one member instead of separate members. In a first configuration, the reel hub 122 and upper flange 126 are constructed as one piece, which is joined to a separately constructed lower flange 124 in a known manner. In a second configuration, the reel hub 122 and lower flange 124 are constructed as one piece which is joined in a known manner to an upper flange 126 constructed as a separate piece. The reel of the magnetic tape cartridge may be of any form. Each member can be produced by a known molding method such as injection molding.

The magnetic tape MT is wound around the outer periphery of the reel hub 122 starting from the tape inner end Tf (see FIG. 3). Reducing the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape when the magnetic tape is wound around the reel hub of the cartridge reel during manufacturing of the magnetic tape cartridge (hereinafter also referred to as "manufacturing winding tension") also improves the value of the medium life. can help make it bigger. From this point of view, the winding tension during manufacturing is preferably 0.40 N or less, and can be, for example, 0.30 N or less. The as-manufactured winding tension can be, for example, 0.10 N or more, or 0.20 N or more, or it can be tension-free. The manufacturing winding tension can be a constant value or can be varied. The take-up tension at the time of manufacture is a set value that is set in the magnetic tape cartridge manufacturing apparatus.

The side wall of the case 112 has an opening 114 through which the magnetic tape MT wound around the reel 130 is drawn out. A leader pin 116 that is pulled out while being locked by a pull-out member (not shown) is fixed.

Also, the opening 114 is opened and closed by a door 118 . The door 118 is formed in a rectangular plate shape with a size capable of closing the opening 114 , and is biased by a biasing member (not shown) in a direction to close the opening 114 . When the magnetic tape cartridge 13 is loaded into the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, the door 118 is opened against the biasing force of the biasing member.

For other details of the magnetic tape cartridge, known technology can be applied. The total length of the magnetic tape accommodated in the magnetic tape cartridge is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, in the range of approximately 800 m to 2500 m. From the viewpoint of increasing the capacity of the magnetic tape cartridge, it is preferable that the total length of the tape accommodated in one roll of the magnetic tape cartridge is longer.

[Tension when running, tension when winding to the cartridge reel]
In a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, a magnetic tape can be run between a cartridge reel (supply reel) and a take-up reel to record data on the magnetic tape and/or reproduce recorded data. In the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, tension can be applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape during running. The larger the tension applied to the magnetic tape in the longitudinal direction, the larger the widthwise dimension of the magnetic tape can be shrunk (that is, the narrower the width), and the smaller the tension, the smaller the shrinkage. can be reduced. Therefore, the dimension of the magnetic tape in the width direction can be controlled by the value of the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape running in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. In one form of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, the magnetic tape can be run while a maximum tension of 0.50 N or more is applied in the longitudinal direction. If the magnetic tape is stored in the magnetic tape cartridge after running under such a high tension, the magnetic tape is likely to be deformed during storage. As described above, in the magnetic tape housed in the magnetic tape cartridge during storage, the portion near the cartridge reel is deformed wider than the initial width due to the compressive stress in the thickness direction of the tape, and the portion far from the cartridge reel is deformed in the longitudinal direction of the tape. It is presumed that different deformation occurs depending on the position, such that the width is deformed narrower than the initial value due to the tensile stress of the tape, and if the magnetic tape is stored under a large amount of tension, the deformation tends to vary greatly depending on the position. it is conceivable that.
Therefore, in one embodiment, in the above magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, when the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge reel after the magnetic tape has been run with a tension of 0.50 N or more applied in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape is It is preferable to set the tension applied in the direction to 0.40 N or less. As a result, the magnetic tape can be wound onto the cartridge reel with a tension smaller than the tension applied in the longitudinal direction during running, and stored in the magnetic tape cartridge. The present inventor believes that it is possible to further suppress the In addition, regardless of whether or not tension is applied during running and the value of the tension, when the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge reel after running, the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape should be 0.40 N or less. The inventor presumes that it is preferable to further suppress the occurrence of the phenomenon that may occur due to the deformation described above.

When tension is applied in the longitudinal direction of the running magnetic tape in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, the maximum value of the tension can be 0.50 N or more, 0.60 N or more, 0.70 N or more, or 0.80 N. and such maximum values can be, for example, 1.50 N or less, 1.40 N or less, 1.30 N or less, 1.20 N or less, 1.10 N or less or 1.00 N or less. . The tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape during running can be a constant value or can be varied. In the case of a constant value, the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape can be controlled by, for example, a controller of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus so that a constant tension is applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. On the other hand, when changing the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape while it is running, for example, the servo signal is used to acquire the dimension information in the width direction of the running magnetic tape, and the magnetic tape is stretched according to the acquired dimension information. can be changed by adjusting the tension applied in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, the dimension in the width direction of the magnetic tape can be controlled. One form of such tension adjustment is as described above with reference to FIG. However, the magnetic recording/reproducing device is not limited to the illustrated form. In the above magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, when changing the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the running magnetic tape, the minimum value is, for example, 0.10 N or more, 0.20 N or more, 0.30 N or more, or 0.40 N or more. be able to. Also, such a minimum value can be, in one form, for example, 0.40N or less, or less than 0.40N, and in another form, 0.60N or less, or 0.50N or less.

In the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, when the magnetic tape is run for recording and/or reproducing data, specific modes of running of the magnetic tape include the following modes.
Mode 1: At the end of running for data recording and/or reproduction, the entire length of the magnetic tape is taken up on the take-up reel.
Mode 2: At the end of running for data recording and/or reproduction, the entire length of the magnetic tape is wound on the cartridge reel.
Mode 3: At the end of running for data recording and/or reproduction, part of the magnetic tape is wound on the cartridge reel and part is wound on the take-up reel.

The tension (hereinafter also referred to as "rewinding tension") when winding the running magnetic tape on the cartridge reel by applying tension in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape refers to the following tension. .
In form 1, the rewinding tension is the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape when the entire length of the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge reel to be accommodated in the magnetic tape cartridge.
In mode 2, first, the magnetic tape is wound from the cartridge reel to the take-up reel. At this time, the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape is not particularly limited. It may or may not be a constant value, it may vary, and it may or may not follow the previous description of the value of the tension during running. The tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape when it is subsequently wound onto the cartridge reel is the rewind tension. This tension is applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape when winding the entire length of the magnetic tape from the take-up reel onto the cartridge reel.
Form 3 can be either of the following two forms. In the first form (form 3-1), when the running for recording and/or reproducing data is finished, the portion of the magnetic tape wound around the cartridge reel is longitudinally stretched when wound around the cartridge reel. It is a form wound up with tension. The tension at the time of this winding is the rewinding tension. The second form (form 3-2) is a form other than the form 3-1 of the third form. In order to wind the entire length of the magnetic tape onto the cartridge reel and store it in the cartridge, in the configuration 3-1, tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape is applied when the magnetic tape that is not wound on the cartridge reel is wound onto the cartridge reel. return tension. Form 3-2 is the same as form 2. That is, first, the magnetic tape is wound from the cartridge reel onto the take-up reel. The rewinding tension is the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape when the entire length of the magnetic tape is subsequently wound from the take-up reel onto the cartridge reel.
In any of the first, second, and third embodiments, the tension (rewinding tension) applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape when wound on the cartridge reel is preferably 0.40 N or less. The rewinding tension may be a constant value or may be changed. In one form, the rewinding tension may be a constant value of 0.40N or less, or may be varied within a range of 0.40N or less. When changing the tension, the maximum value of the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape when wound on the cartridge reel is preferably 0.40 N or less, and may be, for example, 0.30 N or less. The minimum value of the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape when wound on the cartridge reel can be, for example, 0.10 N or more, or 0.20 N or more, or can be less than the values exemplified here. The tension (rewinding tension) at the time of winding onto the cartridge reel can be controlled by, for example, the control device of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. After recording and/or reproducing data on the magnetic tape, an operation program is recorded in the cartridge memory, and this program is controlled so that the set rewinding tension is applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape to wind the magnetic tape onto the cartridge reel. It may be read by the device to perform the winding operation.

[Magnetic tape]
In the magnetic tape cartridge, the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge reel and accommodated. The magnetic tape will be described in more detail below.

<Nonmagnetic support>
The magnetic tape includes a polyethylene naphthalate support having a Young's modulus of 10000 MPa (megapascal) or more in the width direction as a non-magnetic support (hereinafter also simply referred to as "support").

Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) is a resin containing a naphthalene ring and a plurality of ester bonds (that is, a polyester containing a naphthalene ring). It is a resin that can be obtained by subjecting a transesterification reaction and a polycondensation reaction to In the present invention and herein, "polyethylene naphthalate" has a structure having one or more other components (e.g., copolymer components, components introduced into terminals or side chains, etc.) in addition to the above components. is also included. The "polyethylene naphthalate support" in the present invention and the specification includes those in which all the resin films contained in this support are polyethylene naphthalate films, and those in which polyethylene naphthalate films and other resin films are included. is included. Specific forms of the polyethylene naphthalate support include a single-layer polyethylene naphthalate film, a laminated film of two or more layers of polyethylene naphthalate films having the same constituents, and a laminate of two or more layers of polyethylene naphthalate films having different constituents. Films, laminate films containing one or more layers of polyethylene naphthalate films and one or more layers of resin films other than polyethylene naphthalate, and the like can be mentioned. An adhesive layer or the like may optionally be included between two adjacent layers in the laminated film. The polyethylene naphthalate support may also optionally include a metal film and/or a metal oxide film formed by vapor deposition or the like on one or both surfaces.

In addition, the non-magnetic support can be a biaxially stretched film, and may be a film subjected to corona discharge, plasma treatment, easy adhesion treatment, heat treatment, or the like.

In the present invention and this specification, the Young's modulus of a non-magnetic support is a value measured by the following method in a measurement environment of 23° C. and 50% relative humidity. The Young's modulus shown in the table below is a value determined by the following method using Tensilon manufactured by Toyo Baldwin Co., Ltd. as a universal tensile tester.
A sample piece cut out from a non-magnetic support to be measured is pulled by a universal tensile tester under the conditions of a distance between chucks of 100 mm, a tensile speed of 10 mm/min, and a chart speed of 500 mm/min. As the universal tensile tester, for example, a commercially available universal tensile tester such as Tensilon manufactured by Toyo Baldwin Co., Ltd. or a universal tensile tester with a known configuration can be used. The Young's modulus in the longitudinal direction and width direction of the sample piece is calculated from the tangent to the rising portion of the load-elongation curve thus obtained. Here, the longitudinal direction and width direction of the sample piece mean the longitudinal direction and width direction when this sample piece is included in the magnetic tape.
For example, after removing portions other than the non-magnetic support such as the magnetic layer from the magnetic tape by a known method (e.g., film removal using an organic solvent, etc.), the longitudinal direction and width direction of the non-magnetic support are removed by the above method. Young's modulus can also be obtained.

The Young's modulus of the polyethylene naphthalate support in the width direction is 10000 MPa or more. The present inventor believes that inclusion of such a non-magnetic support in the magnetic tape can contribute to increasing the value of medium life. The widthwise Young's modulus of the polyethylene naphthalate support may be, for example, 11000 MPa or more. The widthwise Young's modulus of the polyethylene naphthalate support may be, for example, 20,000 MPa or less, 18,000 MPa or less, 16,000 MPa or less, or 14,000 MPa or less, or may exceed the values exemplified here.

The polyethylene naphthalate support may have a Young's modulus of 10000 MPa or more in the width direction, and the Young's modulus in the longitudinal direction is not particularly limited. In one form, the longitudinal Young's modulus of the polyethylene naphthalate support is preferably 2500 MPa or more, more preferably 3000 MPa or more. The longitudinal Young's modulus of the polyethylene naphthalate support may be, for example, 10000 MPa or less, 9000 MPa or less, 8000 MPa or less, 7000 MPa or less, or 6000 MPa or less. When manufacturing a magnetic tape, a non-magnetic support is generally used with the MD (machine direction) of the film as the longitudinal direction and the TD (transverse direction) as the width direction. The Young's modulus in the longitudinal direction and the Young's modulus in the width direction of the non-magnetic support can be the same value in one form, and can be different values in another form. In one form, the Young's modulus in the width direction of the polyethylene naphthalate support may be larger than the Young's modulus in the longitudinal direction.

Water content is also an index of the physical properties of the non-magnetic support. In the present invention and this specification, the water content of the non-magnetic support is a value determined by the following method. The water content shown in the table below is the value obtained by the following method.
A sample piece (for example, a sample piece with a mass of several grams) cut out from a non-magnetic support whose water content is to be measured is dried in a vacuum dryer at a temperature of 180° C. and a pressure of 100 Pa (pascal) or less until a constant weight is obtained. Let W1 be the mass of the sample piece thus dried. W1 is a value measured within 30 seconds after removal from the vacuum dryer in a measurement environment with a temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50%. Next, let W2 be the mass of this sample piece after it has been placed in an environment with a temperature of 25° C. and a relative humidity of 75% for 48 hours. W2 is a value measured in a measurement environment with a temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50% within 30 seconds after being removed from the above environment. The moisture content is calculated by the following formula.
Moisture content (%) = [(W2-W1)/W1] x 100
For example, after removing portions other than the non-magnetic support such as the magnetic layer from the magnetic tape by a known method (e.g., film removal using an organic solvent, etc.), the water content of the non-magnetic support may be determined by the above method. can.

In one embodiment, the polyethylene naphthalate support preferably has a water content of 2.0% or less, more preferably 1.8% or less, even more preferably 1.6% or less, It is more preferably 1.4% or less, even more preferably 1.2% or less, and even more preferably 1.0% or less. Also, the water content of the polyethylene naphthalate support may be 0%, 0% or more, 0% or more, or 0.1% or more. Using a non-magnetic support with a low water content can contribute to increasing the value of medium life. This is mainly because the use of a non-magnetic support with a low water content is believed to contribute to reducing the value of "B" determined by the method described above.

The water content and Young's modulus of the non-magnetic support can be controlled by the types and mixing ratios of the components constituting the support, manufacturing conditions of the support, and the like. For example, the Young's modulus in the longitudinal direction and the Young's modulus in the width direction can be controlled by adjusting the draw ratio in each direction in the biaxial stretching process.

<Magnetic layer>
(ferromagnetic powder)
As the ferromagnetic powder contained in the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, one or a combination of two or more ferromagnetic powders known as ferromagnetic powders used in the magnetic layers of various magnetic recording media can be used. From the viewpoint of improving the recording density, it is preferable to use ferromagnetic powder having a small average particle size. From this point of view, the average particle size of the ferromagnetic powder is preferably 50 nm or less, more preferably 45 nm or less, even more preferably 40 nm or less, even more preferably 35 nm or less, and 30 nm or less. It is even more preferably 25 nm or less, and even more preferably 20 nm or less. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of magnetization stability, the average particle size of the ferromagnetic powder is preferably 5 nm or more, more preferably 8 nm or more, still more preferably 10 nm or more, and 15 nm or more. is more preferable, and 20 nm or more is even more preferable.

Hexagonal Ferrite Powder A preferred specific example of the ferromagnetic powder is hexagonal ferrite powder. For details of the hexagonal ferrite powder, for example, paragraphs 0012 to 0030 of JP-A-2011-225417, paragraphs 0134-0136 of JP-A-2011-216149, paragraphs 0013-0030 of JP-A-2012-204726 and Paragraphs 0029 to 0084 of JP-A-2015-127985 can be referred to.

In the present invention and this specification, "hexagonal ferrite powder" refers to ferromagnetic powder in which the crystal structure of hexagonal ferrite is detected as the main phase by X-ray diffraction analysis. The main phase refers to the structure to which the highest intensity diffraction peak is attributed in the X-ray diffraction spectrum obtained by X-ray diffraction analysis. For example, when the highest intensity diffraction peak in an X-ray diffraction spectrum obtained by X-ray diffraction analysis is attributed to the crystal structure of hexagonal ferrite, it is determined that the crystal structure of hexagonal ferrite has been detected as the main phase. do. When only a single structure is detected by X-ray diffraction analysis, this detected structure is taken as the main phase. The crystal structure of hexagonal ferrite contains at least iron atoms, divalent metal atoms and oxygen atoms as constituent atoms. A divalent metal atom is a metal atom that can become a divalent cation as an ion, and examples thereof include alkaline earth metal atoms such as strontium, barium, and calcium atoms, and lead atoms. In the present invention and the specification, hexagonal strontium ferrite powder means that the main divalent metal atoms contained in this powder are strontium atoms, and hexagonal barium ferrite powder means that the main divalent metal atoms contained in this powder are a barium atom as a divalent metal atom. The main divalent metal atom means the divalent metal atom that accounts for the largest amount on an atomic % basis among the divalent metal atoms contained in the powder. However, the above divalent metal atoms do not include rare earth atoms. "Rare earth atoms" in the present invention and herein are selected from the group consisting of scandium atoms (Sc), yttrium atoms (Y), and lanthanide atoms. Lanthanide atoms include lanthanum atom (La), cerium atom (Ce), praseodymium atom (Pr), neodymium atom (Nd), promethium atom (Pm), samarium atom (Sm), europium atom (Eu), gadolinium atom (Gd ), terbium atom (Tb), dysprosium atom (Dy), holmium atom (Ho), erbium atom (Er), thulium atom (Tm), ytterbium atom (Yb), and lutetium atom (Lu) be.

The hexagonal strontium ferrite powder, which is one form of the hexagonal ferrite powder, will be described in more detail below.

The activated volume of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder is preferably in the range of 800-1600 nm ³ . A finely divided hexagonal strontium ferrite powder exhibiting an activation volume within the above range is suitable for making a magnetic tape exhibiting excellent electromagnetic conversion characteristics. The activated volume of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder is preferably greater than or equal to 800 nm ³ , for example it may be greater than or equal to 850 nm ³ . Further, from the viewpoint of further improving electromagnetic conversion characteristics, the activated volume of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder is more preferably 1500 nm ³ or less, further preferably 1400 nm ³ or less, and 1300 nm ³ or less. is more preferable, 1200 nm ³ or less is even more preferable, and 1100 nm ³ or less is even more preferable. The same is true for the activation volume of hexagonal barium ferrite powder.

The "activation volume" is a unit of magnetization reversal, and is an index indicating the magnetic size of a particle. The activation volume described in the present invention and the specification and the anisotropy constant Ku described later were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer at magnetic field sweep speeds of 3 minutes and 30 minutes at the coercive force Hc measurement unit (measurement Temperature: 23° C.±1° C.), which is a value obtained from the following relational expression between Hc and activation volume V. Note that the unit of the anisotropy constant Ku is 1 erg/cc=1.0×10 ⁻¹ J/m ³ .
Hc=2Ku/Ms{1−[(kT/KuV)ln(At/0.693)] ^1/2 }
[In the above formula, Ku: anisotropy constant (unit: J/m ³ ), Ms: saturation magnetization (unit: kA/m), k: Boltzmann constant, T: absolute temperature (unit: K), V: activity volume (unit: cm ³ ), A: spin precession frequency (unit: s ⁻¹ ), t: magnetic field reversal time (unit: s)]

An anisotropic constant Ku can be cited as an index for reducing thermal fluctuation, in other words, improving thermal stability. The hexagonal strontium ferrite powder can preferably have a Ku of 1.8×10 ⁵ J/m ³ or more, more preferably 2.0×10 ⁵ J/m ³ or more. Also, Ku of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder can be, for example, 2.5×10 ⁵ J/m ³ or less. However, the higher the Ku value, the higher the thermal stability, which is preferable.

The hexagonal strontium ferrite powder may or may not contain rare earth atoms. When the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder contains rare earth atoms, it preferably contains 0.5 to 5.0 atomic % of rare earth atoms (bulk content) with respect to 100 atomic % of iron atoms. In one form, the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder containing rare earth atoms can have uneven distribution of rare earth atoms on the surface layer. In the present invention and in this specification, the term "rare earth atom surface uneven distribution" refers to the rare earth atom content ratio (hereinafter referred to as "Rare earth atom surface layer content" or simply "surface layer content" with respect to rare earth atoms.) is obtained by completely dissolving hexagonal strontium ferrite powder with acid. (hereinafter referred to as "rare earth atom bulk content" or simply "bulk content" with respect to rare earth atoms), and
Rare earth atom surface layer content/rare earth atom bulk content>1.0
means that the ratio of The rare earth atom content rate of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder described later is synonymous with the rare earth atom bulk content rate. On the other hand, since partial dissolution using an acid dissolves the surface layer of the particles constituting the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder, the content of rare earth atoms in the solution obtained by partial dissolution is It is the rare earth atom content rate in the surface layer of the particles. The rare earth atom surface layer portion content ratio satisfies the ratio of "rare earth atom surface layer portion content/rare earth atom bulk content ratio >1.0" means that the rare earth atoms are present in the surface layer portion of the particles constituting the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder. It means that it is unevenly distributed (that is, it exists more than inside). In the present invention and in this specification, the term "surface layer portion" means a partial region extending from the surface toward the inside of a particle that constitutes the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder.

When the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder contains rare earth atoms, the rare earth atom content (bulk content) is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 atomic % with respect to 100 atomic % of iron atoms. The fact that the rare earth atoms are contained in the bulk content in the above range and that the rare earth atoms are unevenly distributed in the surface layer of the particles constituting the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder contributes to suppressing the decrease in reproduction output during repeated reproduction. Conceivable. This is because the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder contains rare earth atoms with a bulk content within the above range, and the rare earth atoms are unevenly distributed in the surface layers of the particles constituting the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder. This is presumed to be due to the fact that The higher the anisotropy constant Ku, the more the occurrence of a phenomenon called thermal fluctuation can be suppressed (in other words, the thermal stability can be improved). By suppressing the occurrence of thermal fluctuation, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reproduction output in repeated reproduction. The uneven distribution of rare earth atoms in the particle surface layer of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder contributes to stabilizing the spin of the iron (Fe) site in the crystal lattice of the surface layer, thereby increasing the anisotropy constant Ku. It is speculated that it will increase.
In addition, it is speculated that the use of hexagonal strontium ferrite powder, which has rare earth atoms unevenly distributed in the surface layer, as the ferromagnetic powder for the magnetic layer contributes to suppressing abrasion of the magnetic layer surface due to sliding against the magnetic head. be. That is, it is presumed that the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder having rare earth atoms unevenly distributed on the surface layer can contribute to the improvement of the running durability of the magnetic tape. This is because the uneven distribution of rare earth atoms on the surfaces of the particles that make up the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder improves the interaction between the particle surfaces and organic substances (e.g., binders and/or additives) contained in the magnetic layer. and as a result, the strength of the magnetic layer is improved.
From the viewpoint of further suppressing the decrease in reproduction output in repeated reproduction and/or from the viewpoint of further improving running durability, the rare earth atom content (bulk content) is in the range of 0.5 to 4.5 atomic %. is more preferable, the range of 1.0 to 4.5 atomic % is more preferable, and the range of 1.5 to 4.5 atomic % is even more preferable.

The above bulk content is the content obtained by completely dissolving the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder. In the present invention and this specification, unless otherwise specified, the atomic content refers to the bulk content obtained by completely dissolving the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder. The hexagonal strontium ferrite powder containing rare earth atoms may contain only one kind of rare earth atoms as rare earth atoms, or may contain two or more kinds of rare earth atoms. When two or more rare earth atoms are included, the bulk content is determined for the total of two or more rare earth atoms. This point also applies to the present invention and other components in this specification. That is, unless otherwise specified, only one component may be used, or two or more components may be used. When two or more are used, the content or content refers to the total of two or more.

When the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder contains rare earth atoms, the contained rare earth atoms may be any one or more rare earth atoms. Preferred rare earth atoms from the viewpoint of further suppressing a decrease in reproduction output in repeated reproduction include neodymium atoms, samarium atoms, yttrium atoms and dysprosium atoms, with neodymium atoms, samarium atoms and yttrium atoms being more preferred, and neodymium atoms. Atoms are more preferred.

In the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder having rare earth atoms unevenly distributed on the surface layer, the rare earth atoms need only be unevenly distributed on the surface layer of the particles constituting the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder, and the degree of uneven distribution is not limited. For example, for a hexagonal strontium ferrite powder having rare earth atoms unevenly distributed in the surface layer, the surface layer content of rare earth atoms obtained by partially dissolving under the dissolving conditions described later and the rare earth elements obtained by completely dissolving under the dissolving conditions described later The ratio of atoms to the bulk content, "surface layer content/bulk content", is greater than 1.0 and can be 1.5 or more. When the "surface layer content/bulk content" is greater than 1.0, it means that the rare earth atoms are unevenly distributed in the surface layer (ie, more present than in the interior) in the particles constituting the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder. do. In addition, the ratio between the surface layer content of rare earth atoms obtained by partial dissolution under the dissolution conditions described later and the bulk content of rare earth atoms obtained by complete dissolution under the dissolution conditions described later, "surface layer content/ The "bulk content" can be, for example, 10.0 or less, 9.0 or less, 8.0 or less, 7.0 or less, 6.0 or less, 5.0 or less, or 4.0 or less. However, in the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder having rare earth atoms unevenly distributed in the surface layer portion, the rare earth atoms should be unevenly distributed in the surface layer portion of the particles constituting the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder. "Ratio" is not limited to the exemplified upper or lower limits.

Partial dissolution and total dissolution of hexagonal strontium ferrite powder are described below. For hexagonal strontium ferrite powders present as powders, sample powders for partial dissolution and total dissolution are taken from the same lot of powder. On the other hand, as for the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder contained in the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, part of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder taken out from the magnetic layer is subjected to partial melting, and the other part is subjected to complete melting. The hexagonal strontium ferrite powder can be extracted from the magnetic layer, for example, by the method described in paragraph 0032 of JP-A-2015-91747.
The partial dissolution means dissolution to such an extent that residual hexagonal strontium ferrite powder can be visually confirmed in the liquid at the end of dissolution. For example, by partial dissolution, a region of 10 to 20% by mass of the particles constituting the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder can be dissolved out of 100% by mass of the entire particles. On the other hand, the above-mentioned complete dissolution means that the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder is dissolved to the point where no residue of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder remains in the liquid at the end of dissolution.
The partial dissolution and the measurement of the surface layer content are performed, for example, by the following methods. However, the dissolution conditions such as the amount of sample powder described below are examples, and dissolution conditions that allow partial dissolution and complete dissolution can be arbitrarily adopted.
A container (for example, a beaker) containing 12 mg of sample powder and 10 mL of 1 mol/L hydrochloric acid is held on a hot plate with a set temperature of 70° C. for 1 hour. The resulting solution is filtered through a 0.1 μm membrane filter. Elemental analysis of the filtrate thus obtained is performed by an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyzer. In this way, the surface layer portion content of rare earth atoms relative to 100 atomic % of iron atoms can be obtained. When multiple types of rare earth atoms are detected by elemental analysis, the total content of all rare earth atoms is taken as the surface layer portion content. This point also applies to the measurement of the bulk content.
On the other hand, the measurement of the total dissolution and bulk content is carried out, for example, by the following method.
A container (for example, a beaker) containing 12 mg of sample powder and 10 mL of 4 mol/L hydrochloric acid is held on a hot plate with a set temperature of 80° C. for 3 hours. After that, the partial dissolution and the measurement of the surface layer portion content are carried out in the same manner as described above, and the bulk content with respect to 100 atom % of iron atoms can be obtained.

From the viewpoint of increasing the reproduction output when reproducing data recorded on the magnetic tape, it is desirable that the ferromagnetic powder contained in the magnetic tape have a high mass magnetization σs. In this regard, hexagonal strontium ferrite powder containing rare earth atoms but not unevenly distributed in the surface layer of rare earth atoms tends to have a significantly lower σs than hexagonal strontium ferrite powder containing no rare earth atoms. On the other hand, hexagonal strontium ferrite powder having rare earth atoms unevenly distributed in the surface layer is considered preferable in order to suppress such a large decrease in σs. In one form, the σs of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder can be 45 A·m ² /kg or greater, and can also be 47 A·m ² /kg or greater. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of noise reduction, σs is preferably 80 A·m ² /kg or less, more preferably 60 A·m ² /kg or less. σs can be measured using a known measuring device capable of measuring magnetic properties, such as a vibrating sample magnetometer. In the present invention and this specification, unless otherwise specified, mass magnetization σs is a value measured at a magnetic field strength of 15 kOe. 1 [kOe]=10 ⁶ /4π [A/m].

With respect to the content of constituent atoms (bulk content) of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder, the strontium atom content can be, for example, in the range of 2.0 to 15.0 atomic % with respect to 100 atomic % of iron atoms. . In one form, the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder can have strontium atoms as the only divalent metal atoms contained in the powder. In yet another form, the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder can also contain one or more other divalent metal atoms in addition to the strontium atoms. For example, it can contain barium atoms and/or calcium atoms. When other divalent metal atoms other than strontium atoms are contained, the barium atom content and calcium atom content in the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder are, for example, 0.05 to 5 atoms per 100 atomic percent of iron atoms. can be in the range of .0 atomic %.

As crystal structures of hexagonal ferrite, magnetoplumbite type (also called “M type”), W type, Y type and Z type are known. The hexagonal strontium ferrite powder may have any crystal structure. The crystal structure can be confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The hexagonal strontium ferrite powder can have a single crystal structure or two or more crystal structures detected by X-ray diffraction analysis. For example, in one form, a hexagonal strontium ferrite powder can be one in which only the M-type crystal structure is detected by X-ray diffraction analysis. For example, M-type hexagonal ferrite is represented by a composition formula of AFe ₁₂ O ₁₉ . Here, A represents a divalent metal atom, and if the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder is M-type, A is only a strontium atom (Sr), or if A contains a plurality of divalent metal atoms, , as described above, strontium atoms (Sr) account for the largest amount on an atomic % basis. The divalent metal atom content of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder is usually determined by the type of crystal structure of the hexagonal ferrite, and is not particularly limited. The same applies to the iron atom content and the oxygen atom content. The hexagonal strontium ferrite powder contains at least iron atoms, strontium atoms and oxygen atoms, and may also contain rare earth atoms. Furthermore, the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder may or may not contain atoms other than these atoms. As an example, the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder may contain aluminum atoms (Al). The content of aluminum atoms can be, for example, 0.5 to 10.0 atomic % with respect to 100 atomic % of iron atoms. From the viewpoint of further suppressing the decrease in reproduction output in repeated reproduction, the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder contains iron atoms, strontium atoms, oxygen atoms and rare earth atoms, and the content of atoms other than these atoms is 100 iron atoms. %, preferably 10.0 atomic % or less, more preferably in the range of 0 to 5.0 atomic %, and may be 0 atomic %. That is, in one form, the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder may contain no atoms other than iron atoms, strontium atoms, oxygen atoms and rare earth atoms. The content expressed in atomic % above is the content of each atom (unit: mass %) obtained by completely dissolving the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder, and converted to the value expressed in atomic % using the atomic weight of each atom. It is required by conversion. Further, in the present invention and this specification, the phrase "does not contain" an atom means that the content is 0% by mass as measured by an ICP analyzer after total dissolution. The detection limit of an ICP analyzer is usually 0.01 ppm (parts per million) or less on a mass basis. The above "does not contain" shall be used in the sense of containing in an amount below the detection limit of the ICP analyzer. The hexagonal strontium ferrite powder, in one form, can be free of bismuth atoms (Bi).

Metal powder Ferromagnetic metal powder is also a preferred specific example of the ferromagnetic powder. For details of the ferromagnetic metal powder, for example, paragraphs 0137 to 0141 of JP-A-2011-216149 and paragraphs 0009-0023 of JP-A-2005-251351 can be referred to.

ε-iron oxide powder A preferred specific example of the ferromagnetic powder is ε-iron oxide powder. In the present invention and the specification, "ε-iron oxide powder" means a ferromagnetic powder in which the crystal structure of ε-iron oxide is detected as the main phase by X-ray diffraction analysis. For example, when the highest intensity diffraction peak in the X-ray diffraction spectrum obtained by X-ray diffraction analysis is attributed to the crystal structure of ε-iron oxide, it is determined that the crystal structure of ε-iron oxide has been detected as the main phase. shall be As a method for producing ε-iron oxide powder, a method of producing from goethite, a reverse micelle method, and the like are known. All of the above manufacturing methods are known. Also, a method for producing ε-iron oxide powder in which a part of Fe is substituted with substitution atoms such as Ga, Co, Ti, Al, and Rh is described in J. Am. Jpn. Soc. Powder Metallurgy Vol. 61 Supplement, No. S1, pp. S280-S284, J.P. Mater. Chem. C, 2013, 1, pp. 5200-5206 and the like. However, the method for producing the ε-iron oxide powder that can be used as the ferromagnetic powder in the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape is not limited to the methods mentioned here.

The activated volume of the ε-iron oxide powder is preferably in the range of 300-1500 nm ³ . A finely divided ε-iron oxide powder exhibiting an activation volume in the above range is suitable for making a magnetic tape exhibiting excellent electromagnetic conversion characteristics. The activated volume of the ε-iron oxide powder is preferably greater than or equal to 300 nm ³ and may eg be greater than or equal to 500 nm ³ . Further, from the viewpoint of further improving the electromagnetic conversion characteristics, the activated volume of the ε-iron oxide powder is more preferably 1400 nm ³ or less, further preferably 1300 nm ³ or less, and 1200 nm ³ or less. is more preferable, and 1100 nm ³ or less is even more preferable.

An anisotropic constant Ku can be cited as an index for reducing thermal fluctuation, in other words, improving thermal stability. The ε-iron oxide powder can preferably have a Ku of 3.0×10 ⁴ J/m ³ or higher, more preferably 8.0×10 ⁴ J/m ³ or higher. Also, Ku of the ε-iron oxide powder can be, for example, 3.0×10 ⁵ J/m ³ or less. However, the higher the Ku, the higher the thermal stability, which is preferable, and is not limited to the values exemplified above.

From the viewpoint of increasing the reproduction output when reproducing data recorded on the magnetic tape, it is desirable that the ferromagnetic powder contained in the magnetic tape have a high mass magnetization σs. In this regard, in one aspect, the σs of the ε-iron oxide powder can be 8 A·m ² /kg or greater, and can also be 12 A·m ² /kg or greater. On the other hand, σs of the ε-iron oxide powder is preferably 40 A·m ² /kg or less, more preferably 35 A·m ² /kg or less, from the viewpoint of noise reduction.

In the present invention and this specification, unless otherwise specified, the average particle size of various powders such as ferromagnetic powder is a value measured by the following method using a transmission electron microscope.
The powder is photographed with a transmission electron microscope at a magnification of 100,000 times and printed on photographic paper at a total magnification of 500,000 times to obtain a photograph of the particles constituting the powder. The particle of interest is selected from the photograph of the obtained particle, the outline of the particle is traced with a digitizer, and the size of the particle (primary particle) is measured. Primary particles refer to individual particles without agglomeration.
The above measurements are performed on 500 randomly selected particles. The arithmetic mean of the particle sizes of the 500 particles thus obtained is taken as the average particle size of the powder. As the transmission electron microscope, for example, Hitachi's H-9000 transmission electron microscope can be used. Further, the particle size can be measured using known image analysis software such as Carl Zeiss image analysis software KS-400. Unless otherwise specified, the average particle size shown in the examples below was measured using a transmission electron microscope H-9000 manufactured by Hitachi, and image analysis software KS-400 manufactured by Carl Zeiss as image analysis software. value. In the present invention and herein, powder means a collection of particles. For example, ferromagnetic powder means an aggregate of ferromagnetic particles. In addition, the aggregation of a plurality of particles is not limited to the form in which the particles constituting the aggregation are in direct contact, but also includes the form in which binders, additives, etc., which will be described later, are interposed between the particles. be. The term particles is sometimes used to describe powders.

As a method for collecting sample powder from a magnetic tape for particle size measurement, for example, the method described in paragraph 0015 of JP-A-2011-048878 can be adopted.

In the present invention and this specification, unless otherwise specified, the size of the particles constituting the powder (particle size) is the shape of the particles observed in the above particle photographs.
(1) In the case of a needle-like, spindle-like, columnar shape (where the height is greater than the maximum length of the bottom surface), etc., the length of the long axis constituting the particle, that is, the length of the long axis,
(2) In the case of a plate-like or columnar shape (where the thickness or height is smaller than the maximum major diameter of the plate surface or bottom surface), it is expressed by the maximum major diameter of the plate surface or bottom surface,
(3) If the particle is spherical, polyhedral, irregular, or the like, and the major axis of the particle cannot be specified from the shape, it is represented by the equivalent circle diameter. Equivalent circle diameter means the diameter obtained by circular projection method.

In addition, the average acicular ratio of the powder is obtained by measuring the length of the minor axis of the particles in the above measurement, that is, the minor axis length, and obtaining the value of (long axis length / minor axis length) of each particle. It refers to the arithmetic mean of the values obtained for the particles. Here, unless otherwise specified, the minor axis length is the length of the minor axis constituting the particle in the case of (1) in the definition of the particle size, and the thickness or height in the case of (2). In the case of (3), since there is no distinction between the major axis and the minor axis, (long axis length/short axis length) is regarded as 1 for convenience.
Unless otherwise specified, when the particle shape is specific, for example, in the case of the definition (1) of the particle size, the average particle size is the average major axis length, and in the case of the definition (2), the average particle size is Average plate diameter. In the case of the same definition (3), the average particle size is the average diameter (also referred to as average particle size or average particle size).

The ferromagnetic powder content (filling rate) in the magnetic layer is preferably in the range of 50 to 90% by mass, more preferably in the range of 60 to 90% by mass, relative to the total mass of the magnetic layer. A high filling rate of the ferromagnetic powder in the magnetic layer is preferable from the viewpoint of improving the recording density.

(binder)
The magnetic tape may be a coated magnetic tape, and the magnetic layer may contain a binder. A binder is one or more resins. As the binder, various resins commonly used as binders for coated magnetic tapes can be used. Examples of binders include polyurethane resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, vinyl chloride resins, acrylic resins obtained by copolymerizing styrene, acrylonitrile, methyl methacrylate, etc., cellulose resins such as nitrocellulose, epoxy resins, phenoxy resins, polyvinyl acetal, A resin selected from polyvinyl alkylal resins such as polyvinyl butyral can be used singly, or a plurality of resins can be mixed and used. Preferred among these are polyurethane resins, acrylic resins, cellulose resins, and vinyl chloride resins. These resins may be homopolymers or copolymers. These resins can also be used as binders in the non-magnetic layer and/or backcoat layer, which will be described later.
Paragraphs 0028 to 0031 of JP-A-2010-24113 can be referred to for the above binders. The weight-average molecular weight of the resin used as the binder can be, for example, 10,000 or more and 200,000 or less. The weight average molecular weight in the present invention and the specification is a value obtained by converting a value measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) under the following measurement conditions into polystyrene. The weight-average molecular weight of the binder shown in the examples below is a value obtained by converting the value measured under the following measurement conditions into polystyrene. The binder can be used in an amount of, for example, 1.0 to 30.0 parts by mass with respect to 100.0 parts by mass of the ferromagnetic powder.
GPC device: HLC-8120 (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation)
Column: TSK gel Multipore HXL-M (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, 7.8 mmID (Inner Diameter) × 30.0 cm)
Eluent: Tetrahydrofuran (THF)

(curing agent)
Curing agents can also be used with resins that can be used as binders. The curing agent can be, in one form, a thermosetting compound which is a compound in which a curing reaction (crosslinking reaction) proceeds by heating, and in another form, a photocuring compound in which a curing reaction (crosslinking reaction) proceeds by light irradiation. can be a chemical compound. The curing agent can be contained in the magnetic layer in a state where at least a portion of it reacts (crosslinks) with other components such as a binder as the curing reaction progresses during the process of forming the magnetic layer. In this respect, when the composition used for forming other layers contains a curing agent, the same applies to layers formed using this composition. Preferred curing agents are thermosetting compounds, preferably polyisocyanates. For details of the polyisocyanate, paragraphs 0124 to 0125 of JP-A-2011-216149 can be referred to. The curing agent is contained in the composition for forming the magnetic layer in an amount of, for example, 0 to 80.0 parts by weight per 100.0 parts by weight of the binder, and preferably 50.0 to 80.0 parts by weight from the viewpoint of improving the strength of the magnetic layer. Parts by weight amounts can be used.

(Additive)
The magnetic layer may optionally contain one or more additives. Commercially available additives can be appropriately selected and used according to desired properties. Alternatively, a compound synthesized by a known method can be used as an additive. Additives can be used in any amount. Examples of additives include the curing agents described above. Additives contained in the magnetic layer include nonmagnetic powders (e.g., inorganic powders, carbon black, etc.), lubricants, dispersants, dispersing aids, antifungal agents, antistatic agents, antioxidants, and the like. can be done. For example, regarding lubricants, paragraphs 0030 to 0033, 0035 and 0036 of JP-A-2016-126817 can be referred to. A non-magnetic layer, which will be described later, may contain a lubricant. Paragraphs 0030 to 0031, 0034, 0035 and 0036 of JP-A-2016-126817 can be referred to for lubricants that can be contained in the non-magnetic layer. Regarding the dispersant, paragraphs 0061 and 0071 of JP-A-2012-133837 can be referred to. A dispersant may be added to the non-magnetic layer forming composition. For the dispersant that can be added to the composition for forming the non-magnetic layer, see paragraph 0061 of JP-A-2012-133837. The non-magnetic powder that can be contained in the magnetic layer includes a non-magnetic powder that can function as an abrasive, and a non-magnetic powder that can function as a protrusion-forming agent that forms moderately protruding protrusions on the surface of the magnetic layer. (for example, non-magnetic colloidal particles, etc.). For example, regarding abrasives, paragraphs 0030 to 0032 of JP-A-2004-273070 can be referred to. As the protrusion-forming agent, colloidal particles are preferred, inorganic colloidal particles are preferred from the viewpoint of availability, inorganic oxide colloidal particles are more preferred, and silica colloidal particles (colloidal silica) are even more preferred. The average particle size of the abrasive and protrusion-forming agent each preferably ranges from 30 to 200 nm, more preferably from 50 to 100 nm.

The magnetic layer described above can be provided directly on the surface of the non-magnetic support or indirectly via the non-magnetic layer.

<Nonmagnetic layer>
Next, the nonmagnetic layer will be explained. The magnetic tape may have a magnetic layer directly on the surface of the non-magnetic support, or may have a magnetic layer on the surface of the non-magnetic support via a non-magnetic layer containing non-magnetic powder. . The non-magnetic powder used in the non-magnetic layer may be inorganic powder or organic powder. Carbon black or the like can also be used. Examples of powders of inorganic substances include powders of metals, metal oxides, metal carbonates, metal sulfates, metal nitrides, metal carbides, metal sulfides, and the like. These non-magnetic powders are commercially available and can be produced by known methods. For details, paragraphs 0146 to 0150 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-216149 can be referred to. For carbon black that can be used in the non-magnetic layer, see paragraphs 0040 and 0041 of JP-A-2010-24113. The nonmagnetic powder content (filling rate) in the nonmagnetic layer is preferably in the range of 50 to 90% by mass, more preferably in the range of 60 to 90% by mass, based on the total mass of the nonmagnetic layer. .

The non-magnetic layer can contain a binder and can also contain additives. Known techniques for nonmagnetic layers can be applied to other details such as binders and additives for the nonmagnetic layer. Also, for example, the type and content of the binder, the type and content of the additive, etc., can be applied to known techniques relating to the magnetic layer.

In the present invention and in this specification, non-magnetic layers include non-magnetic powders as well as substantially non-magnetic layers containing a small amount of ferromagnetic powders, for example as impurities or intentionally. Here, the substantially non-magnetic layer means that the residual magnetic flux density of this layer is 10 mT or less, the coercive force is 7.96 kA/m (100 Oe) or less, or the residual magnetic flux density is 10 mT or less. and a coercive force of 7.96 kA/m (100 Oe) or less. The non-magnetic layer preferably has no residual magnetic flux density and no coercive force.

<Back coat layer>
The magnetic tape may or may not have a back coat layer containing non-magnetic powder on the surface of the non-magnetic support opposite to the surface having the magnetic layer. The backcoat layer preferably contains either one or both of carbon black and inorganic powder. The backcoat layer may contain a binder and may also contain additives. As for binders and additives for the backcoat layer, known techniques for the backcoat layer can be applied, and known techniques for the formulation of the magnetic layer and/or the non-magnetic layer can also be applied. For example, paragraphs 0018 to 0020 of JP-A-2006-331625 and US Pat. .

<Various thicknesses>
As for the thickness (total thickness) of magnetic tapes, with the enormous increase in the amount of information in recent years, magnetic tapes are required to have a higher recording capacity (higher capacity). Means for increasing the capacity include reducing the thickness of the magnetic tape (hereinafter also referred to as "thinning") and increasing the length of the magnetic tape accommodated per roll of the magnetic tape cartridge. From this point, the thickness (total thickness) of the magnetic tape is preferably 5.6 μm or less, more preferably 5.5 μm or less, more preferably 5.4 μm or less, and more preferably 5.3 μm. It is more preferably 5.2 μm or less, and even more preferably 5.2 μm or less. From the viewpoint of ease of handling, the thickness of the magnetic tape is preferably 3.0 μm or more, more preferably 3.5 μm or more.

The thickness (total thickness) of the magnetic tape can be measured by the following method.
Ten tape samples (for example, 5 to 10 cm in length) are cut out from an arbitrary portion of the magnetic tape, these tape samples are overlapped, and the thickness is measured. The value (thickness per tape sample) obtained by dividing the measured thickness by 1/10 is taken as the tape thickness. The thickness measurement can be performed using a known measuring instrument capable of measuring thickness on the order of 0.1 μm.

The thickness of the nonmagnetic support can be, for example, 3.0 μm or more, and can be, for example, 5.0 μm or less, 4.8 μm or less, 4.6 μm or less, 4.4 μm or less, or 4.2 μm or less. can.
The thickness of the magnetic layer can be optimized depending on the saturation magnetization amount of the magnetic head to be used, the head gap length, the band of the recording signal, etc., and is generally 0.01 μm to 0.15 μm. , preferably 0.02 μm to 0.12 μm, more preferably 0.03 μm to 0.1 μm. At least one magnetic layer is sufficient, and the magnetic layer may be separated into two or more layers having different magnetic properties, and a known multilayer magnetic layer structure can be applied. The thickness of the magnetic layer when separated into two or more layers is the total thickness of these layers.
The thickness of the nonmagnetic layer is, for example, 0.1 to 1.5 μm, preferably 0.1 to 1.0 μm.
The thickness of the backcoat layer is preferably 0.9 μm or less, more preferably 0.1 to 0.7 μm.
Various thicknesses such as the thickness of the magnetic layer can be obtained by the following methods.
After exposing a section of the magnetic tape in the thickness direction with an ion beam, the exposed section is observed with a scanning electron microscope. Various thicknesses can be determined as the arithmetic mean of the thicknesses determined at two arbitrary locations in cross-sectional observation. Alternatively, various thicknesses can be obtained as design thicknesses calculated from manufacturing conditions and the like.

<Manufacturing process>
(Preparation of each layer-forming composition)
A composition for forming a magnetic layer, a non-magnetic layer, or a backcoat layer usually contains a solvent along with the various components described above. As the solvent, one or more of various solvents commonly used in the production of coating-type magnetic recording media can be used. The solvent content of each layer-forming composition is not particularly limited. Regarding the solvent, paragraph 0153 of JP-A-2011-216149 can be referred to. The solid content concentration and solvent composition of each layer-forming composition may be appropriately adjusted according to the handling properties of the composition, the coating conditions, and the thickness of each layer to be formed. The process of preparing a composition for forming a magnetic layer, non-magnetic layer or backcoat layer usually includes at least a kneading process, a dispersing process, and a mixing process provided before or after these processes as required. can be done. Each individual step may be divided into two or more steps. Various components used for preparing each layer-forming composition may be added at the beginning or in the middle of any step. Alternatively, individual components may be added in portions in two or more steps. For example, the binder may be dividedly added in the kneading step, the dispersing step, and the mixing step for viscosity adjustment after dispersion. Conventionally known manufacturing techniques can be used as part of the manufacturing process of the magnetic tape. In the kneading step, a kneader having a strong kneading force such as an open kneader, continuous kneader, pressure kneader, extruder, or the like can be used. Details of the kneading process are described in JP-A-1-106338 and JP-A-1-79274. As the dispersing machine, various known dispersing machines using shearing force such as a bead mill, a ball mill, a sand mill and a homomixer can be used. Dispersing beads can preferably be used for dispersing. Dispersed beads include ceramic beads, glass beads, etc., and zirconia beads are preferred. Two or more types of beads may be used in combination. The bead diameter (particle size) and bead filling rate of the dispersed beads are not particularly limited, and may be set according to the powder to be dispersed. Each layer-forming composition may be filtered by a known method before being applied to the coating step. Filtration can be performed, for example, by filter filtration. As a filter used for filtration, for example, a filter having a pore size of 0.01 to 3 μm (eg, glass fiber filter, polypropylene filter, etc.) can be used.

(Coating process)
The magnetic layer can be formed by directly coating the magnetic layer-forming composition on the surface of the non-magnetic support, or by sequentially or simultaneously coating the magnetic layer-forming composition with the non-magnetic layer-forming composition. The backcoat layer is formed by applying a composition for forming a backcoat layer to It can be formed by coating the surface. For details of coating for forming each layer, paragraph 0066 of JP-A-2010-231843 can be referred to.

(Other processes)
Known techniques can be applied to other various steps for manufacturing the magnetic tape. For various steps, for example, paragraphs 0067 to 0070 of JP-A-2010-231843 can be referred to. For example, the coating layer of the composition for forming the magnetic layer can be subjected to orientation treatment in the orientation zone while the coating layer is in a wet state. Various known techniques including those described in paragraph 0052 of JP-A-2010-24113 can be applied to the alignment treatment. For example, the vertical alignment treatment can be performed by a known method such as a method using opposed magnets with different polarities. In the orientation zone, the drying speed of the coating layer can be controlled by the temperature and air volume of the drying air and/or the conveying speed in the orientation zone. Also, the coated layer may be pre-dried before being conveyed to the orientation zone. As an example, the magnetic field strength in the vertical alignment process can be 0.1-1.5T.

For magnetic tape, a long magnetic tape raw material can be obtained by going through various processes. The obtained magnetic tape material is cut (slit) into the width of the magnetic tape to be wound on the magnetic tape cartridge by a known cutting machine. The above widths are determined according to standards and are, for example, 1/2 inch. 1/2 inch = 12.65 mm. Servo patterns are usually formed on a magnetic tape obtained by slitting. The details of the formation of the servo pattern will be described later.

(Heat treatment)
In one form, the magnetic tape can be a magnetic tape manufactured through the following heat treatment. In another form, the magnetic tape can be manufactured without undergoing heat treatment as described below. Performing the following heat treatment can contribute to increasing the medium life value. This is mainly because it is believed that the following heat treatment contributes to suppressing deformation of the magnetic tape, which is mainly caused by the stress received during storage in the magnetic tape cartridge.

As the heat treatment, the magnetic tape that has been slit and cut to a width determined according to the standard can be wound around the core member, and the heat treatment can be performed in the wound state.

In one embodiment, the heat treatment is performed while the magnetic tape is wound around a core member for heat treatment (hereinafter referred to as "core for heat treatment"), and the magnetic tape after the heat treatment is placed on the cartridge reel of the magnetic tape cartridge. A magnetic tape cartridge in which a magnetic tape is wound around a cartridge reel can be manufactured.
The core for heat treatment can be made of metal, resin, paper, or the like. From the viewpoint of suppressing the occurrence of winding failures such as spokes, it is preferable that the material of the core for heat treatment be a material with high rigidity. From this point of view, the core for heat treatment is preferably made of metal or resin. Moreover, as an index of rigidity, the bending elastic modulus of the material of the core for heat treatment is preferably 0.2 GPa or more, more preferably 0.3 GPa or more. On the other hand, since high-rigidity materials are generally expensive, using a heat-treating winding core made of a material having rigidity exceeding the rigidity that can suppress the occurrence of winding failures leads to an increase in cost. Considering the above points, the bending elastic modulus of the material of the core for heat treatment is preferably 250 GPa or less. Further, the core for heat treatment can be a solid or hollow core member. In the case of a hollow shape, the thickness is preferably 2 mm or more from the viewpoint of maintaining rigidity. Moreover, the core for heat treatment may or may not have a flange.
As a magnetic tape to be wound around the core for heat treatment, prepare a magnetic tape that is longer than the length to be finally accommodated in the magnetic tape cartridge (hereinafter referred to as "final product length"), and wrap this magnetic tape around the core for heat treatment. It is preferred that the heat treatment is carried out by placing in a heat treatment environment in a wound state. The length of the magnetic tape to be wound around the heat-treating core is equal to or longer than the final product length, and from the viewpoint of ease of winding around the heat-treating core, it is preferable to set it to "final product length + α". This α is preferably 5 m or more from the viewpoint of ease of winding. A tension of 0.10 N or more is preferable when the film is wound onto the core for heat treatment. Moreover, from the viewpoint of suppressing excessive deformation during manufacturing, the tension during winding onto the core for heat treatment is preferably 1.50 N or less, more preferably 1.00 N or less. The outer diameter of the core for heat treatment is preferably 20 mm or more, more preferably 40 mm or more, from the viewpoint of ease of winding and suppression of coiling (curling in the longitudinal direction). Moreover, the outer diameter of the core for heat treatment is preferably 100 mm or less, more preferably 90 mm or less. The width of the core for heat treatment should be equal to or greater than the width of the magnetic tape to be wound around the core. In addition, when removing the magnetic tape from the heat-treating core after the heat treatment, the magnetic tape and the heat-treating core are sufficiently cooled before the magnetic tape is removed in order to prevent unintended deformation of the tape during the removal operation. is preferably removed from the core for heat treatment. The removed magnetic tape is first wound on another core (called a "temporary take-up core"), and then the magnetic tape cartridge reel (generally with an outer diameter of 40 to 50 mm). As a result, the magnetic tape can be wound onto the cartridge reel of the magnetic tape cartridge while maintaining the relationship between the inner side and the outer side of the magnetic tape with respect to the core for heat treatment during heat treatment. For the details of the temporary winding core and the tension when the magnetic tape is wound around this winding core, the above description regarding the heat treatment winding core can be referred to. In the case where the magnetic tape having the length of "final product length +α" is subjected to the above heat treatment, the length of "+α" may be cut at an arbitrary stage. For example, in one embodiment, the final product length of the magnetic tape may be wound from the temporary take-up core onto the reel of the magnetic tape cartridge, and the remaining "+α" length may be cut off. From the viewpoint of reducing the portion that is cut off and discarded, the α is preferably 20 m or less.

A specific form of the heat treatment performed while being wound around the core member as described above will be described below.
The ambient temperature for heat treatment (hereinafter referred to as “heat treatment temperature”) is preferably 40° C. or higher, more preferably 50° C. or higher. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of suppressing excessive deformation, the heat treatment temperature is preferably 75° C. or lower, more preferably 70° C. or lower, and even more preferably 65° C. or lower.
The weight absolute humidity of the atmosphere in which the heat treatment is performed is preferably 0.1 g/kg Dry air or more, more preferably 1 g/kg Dry air or more. An atmosphere having a weight absolute humidity within the above range is preferable because it can be prepared without using a special device for reducing moisture. On the other hand, the weight absolute humidity is preferably 70 g/kg dry air or less, more preferably 66 g/kg dry air or less, from the viewpoint of suppressing dew condensation and deterioration of workability. The heat treatment time is preferably 0.3 hours or longer, more preferably 0.5 hours or longer. Moreover, the heat treatment time is preferably 48 hours or less from the viewpoint of production efficiency.

(Formation of servo pattern)
The magnetic tape has a plurality of servo bands on the magnetic layer. A servo band is composed of servo patterns that are continuous in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. A servo pattern can enable tracking control of a magnetic head in a magnetic recording/reproducing device, control of running speed of a magnetic tape, and the like. "Formation of servo patterns" can also be called "recording of servo signals." For example, by using a servo signal to obtain information on the width of the running magnetic tape, and adjusting and changing the tension applied to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape according to the obtained information on the dimensions, the magnetic tape can be can control the width dimension of the

The formation of servo patterns will be described below.

A servo pattern is formed along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. Methods of control using servo signals (servo control) include timing-based servo (TBS), amplitude servo, frequency servo, and the like.

As shown in ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers Association)-319 (June 2001), a magnetic tape conforming to the LTO (Linear Tape-Open) standard (generally called "LTO tape") adopts a timing-based servo system. ing. In this timing-based servo system, a servo pattern is composed of a plurality of non-parallel pairs of magnetic stripes (also called "servo stripes") arranged continuously in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. A servo system is a system that performs head tracking using a servo signal. In the present invention and in this specification, the term "timing-based servo pattern" refers to a servo pattern that enables head tracking in a timing-based servo system servo system. The reason why the servo pattern is composed of a pair of non-parallel magnetic stripes is to inform the servo signal reading element passing over the servo pattern of its passing position. Specifically, the pair of magnetic stripes are formed so that the interval between them changes continuously along the width direction of the magnetic tape. and the relative position of the servo signal reading element. This relative position information enables tracking of the data tracks. For this reason, a plurality of servo tracks are usually set on the servo pattern along the width direction of the magnetic tape.

A servo band is composed of servo patterns that are continuous in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape has a plurality of servo bands on the magnetic layer. For example, in LTO tape, the number is five. A data band is an area sandwiched between two adjacent servo bands. The data band is composed of a plurality of data tracks, each data track corresponding to each servo track.

In one form, as disclosed in JP-A-2004-318983, each servo band includes information indicating the number of the servo band ("servo band ID (identification)" or "UDIM (Unique Data Band Identification)"). Method (also called information) is embedded. This servo band ID is recorded by shifting a specific one of a plurality of pairs of servo stripes in the servo band so that the position thereof is relatively displaced in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. Specifically, the method of shifting a specific one of a plurality of pairs of servo stripes is changed for each servo band. As a result, the recorded servo band ID is unique for each servo band, so that one servo band can be uniquely specified only by reading one servo band with a servo signal reading element.

It should be noted that as a method for uniquely specifying a servo band, there is also a method using a staggered method as shown in ECMA-319 (June 2001). In this staggered method, groups of non-parallel pairs of magnetic stripes (servo stripes) arranged continuously in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape are recorded so as to be shifted in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape for each servo band. do. Since this combination of shifts between adjacent servo bands is unique for the entire magnetic tape, the servo band can be uniquely identified when reading the servo pattern with two servo signal reading elements. It is possible.

In each servo band, information indicating the position in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape (also called "LPOS (Longitudinal Position) information") is also usually embedded as indicated in ECMA-319 (June 2001). there is Like the UDIM information, this LPOS information is also recorded by shifting the positions of a pair of servo stripes in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. However, unlike the UDIM information, the same signal is recorded in each servo band in this LPOS information.

Other information different from the above UDIM and LPOS information can also be embedded in the servo band. In this case, the embedded information may be different for each servo band, such as UDIM information, or common to all servo bands, such as LPOS information.
Also, as a method of embedding information in the servo band, it is possible to adopt a method other than the above. For example, a predetermined code may be recorded by thinning out a predetermined pair from a group of paired servo stripes.

The servo pattern forming head is called a servo write head. A servo write head normally has a pair of gaps corresponding to the pair of magnetic stripes as many as the number of servo bands. Normally, a core and a coil are connected to each pair of gaps, and by supplying current pulses to the coils, a magnetic field generated in the core can generate a leakage magnetic field in the pair of gaps. When forming the servo pattern, the magnetic pattern corresponding to the pair of gaps is transferred onto the magnetic tape by inputting a current pulse while the magnetic tape is running over the servo write head, thereby forming the servo pattern. can be done. The width of each gap can be appropriately set according to the density of the servo pattern to be formed. The width of each gap can be set to, for example, 1 μm or less, 1 to 10 μm, or 10 μm or more.

Before forming the servo pattern on the magnetic tape, the magnetic tape is usually demagnetized (erase). This erasing process can be performed by applying a uniform magnetic field to the magnetic tape using a DC magnet or an AC magnet. The erase process includes DC (Direct Current) erase and AC (Alternating Current) erase. AC erase is performed by gradually decreasing the strength of the magnetic field while reversing the direction of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic tape. DC erase, on the other hand, is performed by applying a unidirectional magnetic field to the magnetic tape. There are two methods of DC erase. The first method is a horizontal DC erase that applies a unidirectional magnetic field along the length of the magnetic tape. The second method is perpendicular DC erase, in which a unidirectional magnetic field is applied along the thickness of the magnetic tape. The erase process may be performed on the entire magnetic tape, or may be performed on each servo band of the magnetic tape.

The direction of the magnetic field of the formed servo pattern is determined according to the erase direction. For example, when horizontal DC erasing is performed on a magnetic tape, the servo pattern is formed so that the direction of the magnetic field is opposite to the direction of erasing. As a result, the output of the servo signal obtained by reading the servo pattern can be increased. Incidentally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-53940, when a magnetic pattern is transferred to a perpendicular DC-erased magnetic tape using the gap, the formed servo pattern is read and obtained. The servo signal has a unipolar pulse shape. On the other hand, when a magnetic pattern is transferred to a magnetic tape that has been horizontally DC-erased using the gap, a servo signal obtained by reading the formed servo pattern has a bipolar pulse shape.

After forming the servo pattern, the magnetic tape is usually wound around the reel hub of the cartridge reel and housed in the magnetic tape cartridge.

<Vertical squareness ratio>
In one form, the vertical squareness ratio of the magnetic tape can be, for example, 0.55 or more, preferably 0.60 or more. It is preferable from the viewpoint of improving the electromagnetic conversion characteristics that the vertical squareness ratio of the magnetic tape is 0.60 or more. The upper limit of the squareness ratio is, in principle, 1.00 or less. The vertical squareness ratio of the magnetic tape may be 1.00 or less, 0.95 or less, 0.90 or less, 0.85 or less, or 0.80 or less. A magnetic tape having a large squareness ratio in the vertical direction is preferable from the viewpoint of improving electromagnetic conversion characteristics. The perpendicular squareness ratio of the magnetic tape can be controlled by a known method such as performing a perpendicular orientation treatment.

In the present invention and herein, the "vertical squareness ratio" is the squareness ratio measured in the perpendicular direction of the magnetic tape. The "perpendicular direction" described with respect to the squareness ratio is the direction orthogonal to the surface of the magnetic layer, and can also be called the thickness direction. In the present invention and in this specification, the vertical squareness ratio is obtained by the following method.
A sample piece of a size that can be introduced into the vibrating sample magnetometer is cut out from the magnetic tape to be measured. Using a vibrating sample magnetometer, this sample piece was measured at a maximum applied magnetic field of 3979 kA/m, a measurement temperature of 296 K, and a magnetic field sweep rate of 8.3 kA/m/sec. direction) and measure the magnetization strength of the sample piece with respect to the applied magnetic field. The measured value of magnetization strength shall be obtained as a value after demagnetization correction and as a value obtained by subtracting the magnetization of the sample probe of the vibrating sample magnetometer as background noise. The squareness ratio SQ is a value calculated as SQ=Mr/Ms, where Ms is the magnetization intensity at the maximum applied magnetic field and Mr is the magnetization intensity at zero applied magnetic field. The measurement temperature refers to the temperature of the sample piece, and by setting the ambient temperature around the sample piece to the measurement temperature, the temperature equilibrium is established, whereby the temperature of the sample piece can be set to the measurement temperature.

[Magnetic head]
One aspect of the present invention relates to a magnetic recording/reproducing device including the magnetic tape cartridge. In the present invention and in this specification, the term "magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus" means an apparatus capable of at least one of recording data on a magnetic tape and reproducing data recorded on the magnetic tape. Such devices are commonly called drives and typically include a magnetic head. The magnetic tape cartridge is inserted into the magnetic recording/reproducing device, the magnetic tape is run in the magnetic recording/reproducing device, and the magnetic head records data on the magnetic tape and/or reproduces the recorded data. The magnetic head included in the magnetic recording/reproducing device can be a recording head capable of recording data on a magnetic tape, and a reproducing head capable of reproducing data recorded on the magnetic tape. can also In one form, the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus can include both a recording head and a reproducing head as separate magnetic heads. In another form, the magnetic head included in the magnetic recording/reproducing device can have a configuration in which both the recording element and the reproducing element are provided in one magnetic head. As the reproducing head, a magnetic head (MR head) including a magnetoresistive (MR) element capable of reading information recorded on a magnetic tape with high sensitivity as a reproducing element is preferable. As the MR head, various known MR heads (eg, GMR (Giant Magnetoresistive) head, TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistive) head, etc.) can be used. A magnetic head for recording and/or reproducing data may also include a servo pattern reading element. Alternatively, the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus may include a magnetic head (servo head) having a servo pattern reading element as a separate head from the magnetic head that records and/or reproduces data. For example, a magnetic head for recording data and/or reproducing recorded data (hereinafter also referred to as a "recording/reproducing head") may include two servo signal reading elements. can simultaneously read two adjacent servo bands across the data band. One or more data elements can be positioned between the two servo signal read elements. An element for recording data (recording element) and an element for reproducing data (reading element) are collectively called a "data element".

By reproducing data using a reproducing element having a narrow reproducing element width as a reproducing element, data recorded at a high density can be reproduced with high sensitivity. From this point of view, the read element width of the read element is preferably 0.8 μm or less. The read element width of the read element can be, for example, 0.1 μm or more. However, falling below this value is also preferable from the above viewpoint.
On the other hand, the narrower the width of the reproducing element, the more likely it is that phenomena such as poor reproduction due to off-track will occur. In order to suppress the occurrence of such a phenomenon, it is preferable to use a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus that controls the dimension of the magnetic tape in the width direction by adjusting and changing the tension applied to the magnetic tape in the longitudinal direction while the tape is running.
Here, the "reproducing element width" means the physical dimension of the reproducing element width. Such physical dimensions can be measured with an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, or the like.

When recording data and/or reproducing recorded data, first, head tracking using a servo signal can be performed. That is, by causing the servo signal reading element to follow a predetermined servo track, the data element can be controlled to pass over the target data track. The data track is moved by changing the servo track read by the servo signal reading element in the width direction of the tape.
The record/playback head can also record and/or play back other data bands. In this case, the above-mentioned UDIM information is used to move the servo signal reading element to a predetermined servo band, and tracking for that servo band is started.

Fig. 5 shows an arrangement example of data bands and servo bands. In FIG. 5, a plurality of servo bands 1 are sandwiched between guide bands 3 on the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape MT. A plurality of areas 2 sandwiched between two servo bands are data bands. A servo pattern is a magnetized region formed by magnetizing a specific region of a magnetic layer with a servo write head. The area magnetized by the servo write head (the position where the servo pattern is formed) is defined by standards. For example, in the industry standard LTO Ultrium format tape, a plurality of servo patterns inclined with respect to the width direction of the tape are formed on the servo band as shown in FIG. 6 when the magnetic tape is manufactured. Specifically, in FIG. 6, the servo frame SF on servo band 1 is composed of servo subframe 1 (SSF1) and servo subframe 2 (SSF2). A servo subframe 1 is composed of an A burst (symbol A in FIG. 6) and a B burst (symbol B in FIG. 6). The A burst is composed of servo patterns A1 to A5, and the B burst is composed of servo patterns B1 to B5. On the other hand, servo subframe 2 is composed of a C burst (symbol C in FIG. 6) and a D burst (symbol D in FIG. 6). The C burst is composed of servo patterns C1 to C4, and the D burst is composed of servo patterns D1 to D4. Such 18 servo patterns are arranged in sets of 5 and 4 in subframes arranged in an array of 5, 5, 4, 4, and are used to identify servo frames. FIG. 6 shows one servo frame for explanation. In practice, however, a plurality of servo frames are arranged in the running direction in each servo band on the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape on which the head tracking of the timing-based servo system is performed. In FIG. 6, arrows indicate the direction of travel. For example, an LTO Ultrium format tape typically has 5000 or more servo frames per meter of tape length in each servo band of the magnetic layer.

The present invention will be described below based on examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in Examples. "Parts" and "%" described below indicate "mass parts" and "mass%" unless otherwise specified. "eq" is equivalent, a unit that cannot be converted to SI units.
In addition, unless otherwise specified, the following various steps and operations were carried out in an environment with a temperature of 20-25° C. and a relative humidity of 40-60%.

[Nonmagnetic support]
In Table 1, "PEN" indicates polyethylene naphthalate support. The water content and Young's modulus in Table 1 are values measured by the method described above.

[Ferromagnetic powder]
In Table 1, "BaFe" in the ferromagnetic powder column indicates hexagonal barium ferrite powder with an average particle size (average plate diameter) of 21 nm.

In Table 1, "SrFe1" in the ferromagnetic powder column indicates hexagonal strontium ferrite powder produced as follows.
1707 _g of SrCO3, 687 _g of _H3BO3 , 1120 g of _Fe2O3 , 45 g of Al(OH) ₃ , 24 g of _BaCO3 , 13 g of _CaCO3 , and 235 g _of _Nd2O3 were weighed and mixed in _a mixer. A raw material mixture was obtained by mixing.
The obtained raw material mixture was melted in a platinum crucible at a melting temperature of 1390° C., and while the melt was being stirred, a tap hole provided at the bottom of the platinum crucible was heated, and the melt was tapped in a rod shape at a rate of about 6 g/sec. . The tapped liquid was rolled and quenched with a water-cooled twin roller to prepare an amorphous body.
280 g of the produced amorphous material was placed in an electric furnace, heated to 635° C. (crystallization temperature) at a heating rate of 3.5° C./min, and held at the same temperature for 5 hours to produce hexagonal strontium ferrite particles. Precipitated (crystallized).
Next, the crystallized product obtained above containing hexagonal strontium ferrite particles was coarsely pulverized in a mortar, and 1000 g of zirconia beads having a particle size of 1 mm and 800 mL of 1% concentration of acetic acid aqueous solution were added to a glass bottle and dispersed for 3 hours using a paint shaker. did After that, the resulting dispersion was separated from the beads and placed in a stainless steel beaker. After the dispersion liquid was allowed to stand at a liquid temperature of 100°C for 3 hours to dissolve the glass component, it was precipitated in a centrifugal separator, washed by repeating decantation, and placed in a heating furnace at a temperature of 110°C for 6 hours. After drying for a few hours, hexagonal strontium ferrite powder was obtained.
The average particle size of the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder obtained above is 18 nm, the activation volume is 902 nm ³ , the anisotropy constant Ku is 2.2×10 ⁵ J/m ³ , and the mass magnetization σs is 49 A·m ² /. kg.
12 mg of sample powder was taken from the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder obtained above, and the sample powder was partially dissolved under the dissolution conditions exemplified above. The surface layer content was determined.
Separately, 12 mg of sample powder was taken from the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder obtained above, and the sample powder was completely dissolved under the dissolution conditions exemplified above. Atomic bulk content was determined.
The content of neodymium atoms (bulk content) with respect to 100 atomic % of iron atoms in the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder obtained above was 2.9 atomic %. The content of neodymium atoms in the surface layer was 8.0 atomic %. The ratio of the surface layer portion content rate to the bulk content rate, "surface layer portion content rate/bulk content rate", was 2.8, confirming that neodymium atoms were unevenly distributed in the surface layer of the particles.

The fact that the powder obtained above exhibits the crystal structure of hexagonal ferrite is confirmed by scanning CuKα rays under the conditions of a voltage of 45 kV and an intensity of 40 mA and measuring the X-ray diffraction pattern under the following conditions (X-ray diffraction analysis). confirmed. The powder obtained above exhibited a crystal structure of magnetoplumbite-type (M-type) hexagonal ferrite. The crystal phase detected by X-ray diffraction analysis was a magnetoplumbite single phase.
PANalytical X'Pert Pro diffractometer, PIXcel detector Soller slits for incident and diffracted beams: 0.017 radians Fixed divergence slit angle: ¼ degree Mask: 10 mm
Anti-scattering slit: 1/4 degree Measurement mode: continuous Measurement time per step: 3 seconds Measurement speed: 0.017 degree per second Measurement step: 0.05 degree

In Table 1, "SrFe2" in the ferromagnetic powder column indicates hexagonal strontium ferrite powder produced as follows.
1725 _g of SrCO3, 666 _g of _H3BO3 , 1332 g of _Fe2O3 , 52 g of Al(OH) ₃ , 34 g of _CaCO3 and 141 _g of _BaCO3 were weighed and mixed in a mixer to obtain a raw material mixture.
The obtained raw material mixture was melted in a platinum crucible at a melting temperature of 1380° C., and the melt was stirred while heating the outlet provided at the bottom of the platinum crucible to dispense the melt in a rod shape at a rate of about 6 g/sec. . The tapped liquid was rolled and quenched with water-cooled twin rolls to prepare an amorphous body.
280 g of the obtained amorphous material was placed in an electric furnace, heated to 645° C. (crystallization temperature), and held at the same temperature for 5 hours to precipitate (crystallize) hexagonal strontium ferrite particles.
Next, the crystallized product obtained above containing hexagonal strontium ferrite particles was coarsely pulverized in a mortar, and 1000 g of zirconia beads having a particle size of 1 mm and 800 mL of 1% concentration of acetic acid aqueous solution were added to a glass bottle and dispersed for 3 hours using a paint shaker. did After that, the resulting dispersion was separated from the beads and placed in a stainless steel beaker. After the dispersion liquid was allowed to stand at a liquid temperature of 100°C for 3 hours to dissolve the glass component, it was precipitated in a centrifugal separator, washed by repeating decantation, and placed in a heating furnace at a temperature of 110°C for 6 hours. After drying for a few hours, hexagonal strontium ferrite powder was obtained.
The obtained hexagonal strontium ferrite powder had an average particle size of 19 nm, an activated volume of 1102 nm ³ , an anisotropy constant Ku of 2.0×10 ⁵ J/m ³ , and a mass magnetization σs of 50 A·m ² /kg. there were.

In Table 1, "ε-iron oxide" in the column of ferromagnetic powder indicates ε-iron oxide powder prepared as follows.
8.3 g of iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate, 1.3 g of gallium (III) nitrate octahydrate, 190 mg of cobalt (II) nitrate hexahydrate, 150 mg of titanium (IV) sulfate, and 4.0 g of an aqueous ammonia solution having a concentration of 25% was added to a solution of 1.5 g of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in an air atmosphere at an ambient temperature of 25° C. while stirring using a magnetic stirrer. , and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours while maintaining the ambient temperature of 25°C. An aqueous citric acid solution obtained by dissolving 1 g of citric acid in 9 g of pure water was added to the obtained solution, and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour. The powder precipitated after stirring was collected by centrifugation, washed with pure water, and dried in a heating furnace with an internal furnace temperature of 80°C.
800 g of pure water was added to the dried powder, and the powder was dispersed again in water to obtain a dispersion liquid. The obtained dispersion was heated to a liquid temperature of 50° C., and 40 g of an ammonia aqueous solution having a concentration of 25% was added dropwise while stirring. After stirring for 1 hour while maintaining the temperature at 50° C., 14 mL of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was added dropwise and the mixture was stirred for 24 hours. 50 g of ammonium sulfate was added to the obtained reaction solution, and the precipitated powder was collected by centrifugation, washed with pure water, and dried in a heating furnace at an internal temperature of 80°C for 24 hours to obtain a ferromagnetic powder precursor. Obtained.
The obtained ferromagnetic powder precursor was placed in a heating furnace with an internal temperature of 1000° C. in an air atmosphere, and subjected to a heat treatment for 4 hours.
The heat-treated ferromagnetic powder precursor is put into a 4 mol/L sodium hydroxide (NaOH) aqueous solution, and the liquid temperature is maintained at 70° C. and stirred for 24 hours to obtain a heat-treated ferromagnetic powder precursor. The silicic acid compound, which is an impurity, was removed from the
After that, the ferromagnetic powder from which the silicic acid compound was removed was collected by centrifugal separation and washed with pure water to obtain the ferromagnetic powder.
When the composition of the obtained ferromagnetic powder was confirmed by high-frequency inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), Ga, Co and Ti-substituted ε-iron oxide (ε-Ga _{0 .28} Co _0.05 Ti _0.05 Fe _1.62 O ₃ ). In addition, X-ray diffraction analysis was performed under the same conditions as those previously described for the hexagonal strontium ferrite powder SrFe1. From the peaks of the X-ray diffraction pattern, the obtained ferromagnetic powder had an α-phase and a γ-phase crystal structure. It was confirmed to have a single-phase ε-phase crystal structure (ε-iron oxide crystal structure) containing no
The resulting ε-iron oxide powder had an average particle size of 12 nm, an activated volume of 746 nm ³ , an anisotropy constant Ku of 1.2×10 ⁵ J/m ³ and a mass magnetization σs of 16 A·m ² /kg. there were.

The activation volume and anisotropy constant Ku of the above hexagonal strontium ferrite powder and ε-iron oxide powder were obtained using a vibrating sample magnetometer (manufactured by Toei Kogyo Co., Ltd.) for each ferromagnetic powder, as previously described. It is a value obtained by the method of
The mass magnetization σs is a value measured with a magnetic field strength of 1194 kA/m (15 kOe) using a vibrating sample magnetometer (manufactured by Toei Industry Co., Ltd.).

[Example 1]
(1) Preparation of alumina dispersion To 100.0 parts of alumina powder (HIT-80 manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) having a gelatinization rate of about 65% and a BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) specific surface area of 20 m ² /g, 3. 0 part of 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene (manufactured by Tokyo Kasei Co., Ltd.), a 32% solution of a polyester polyurethane resin (UR-4800 manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd. (polar group amount: 80 meq/kg)) having an SO ₃ Na group as a polar group ( 31.3 parts of a mixed solvent of methyl ethyl ketone and toluene as a solvent, and 570.0 parts of a mixed solution of methyl ethyl ketone and cyclohexanone 1:1 (mass ratio) as a solvent are mixed, and dispersed for 5 hours with a paint shaker in the presence of zirconia beads. let me After dispersion, the dispersion liquid and the beads were separated by a mesh to obtain an alumina dispersion.

(2) Formulation of magnetic layer forming composition (magnetic liquid)
Ferromagnetic powder (see Table 1) 100.0 parts SO ₃ Na group-containing polyurethane resin 14.0 parts Weight average molecular weight: 70,000, SO ₃ Na group: 0.2 meq/g
Cyclohexanone 150.0 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 150.0 parts (abrasive liquid)
6.0 parts of alumina dispersion prepared in (1) above (silica sol (protrusion forming agent liquid))
Colloidal silica (average particle size 120 nm) 2.0 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 1.4 parts (other ingredients)
Stearic acid 2.0 parts Stearic acid amide 0.2 parts Butyl stearate 2.0 parts Polyisocyanate (Coronate (registered trademark) L manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) 2.5 parts (finishing additive solvent)
Cyclohexanone 200.0 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 200.0 parts

(3) Formulation of non-magnetic layer-forming composition Non-magnetic inorganic powder: α-iron oxide 100.0 parts Average particle size (average major axis length): 0.15 µm
Average acicular ratio: 7
BET specific surface area: 52 m ² /g
Carbon black 20.0 parts Average particle size: 20 nm
SO ₃ Na group-containing polyurethane resin 18.0 parts Weight average molecular weight: 70,000, SO ₃ Na group: 0.2 meq/g
Stearic acid 2.0 parts Stearamide 0.2 parts Butyl stearate 2.0 parts
Cyclohexanone 300.0 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 300.0 parts

(4) Formulation of composition for forming backcoat layer
Carbon black 100.0 parts DBP (Dibutyl phthalate) oil absorption 74 cm ³ /100 g
Nitrocellulose 27.0 parts Polyester polyurethane resin containing sulfonic acid groups and/or salts thereof 62.0 parts Polyester resin 4.0 parts Alumina powder (BET specific surface area: 17 m ² /g) 0.6 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 600.0 parts Toluene 600.0 parts Polyisocyanate (Coronate (registered trademark) L manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) 15.0 parts

(5) Preparation of Each Layer-Forming Composition A magnetic layer-forming composition was prepared by the following method. The above magnetic liquid was prepared by dispersing (bead dispersion) the above components for 24 hours using a batch-type vertical sand mill. As dispersion beads, zirconia beads with a bead diameter of 0.5 mm were used. Using the sand mill, the prepared magnetic liquid, the abrasive liquid, and other components (silica sol, other components, and finishing additive solvent) were mixed and dispersed in beads for 5 minutes, followed by a batch type ultrasonic device (20 kHz, 300 W). for 0.5 minutes (ultrasonic dispersion). Thereafter, filtration was performed using a filter having a pore size of 0.5 μm to prepare a composition for forming a magnetic layer.
A composition for forming a non-magnetic layer was prepared by the following method. The above ingredients except for the lubricants (stearic acid, stearic acid amide and butyl stearate) were kneaded and diluted by an open kneader, and then dispersed by a horizontal bead mill disperser. Then, lubricants (stearic acid, stearic acid amide and butyl stearate) were added, and the mixture was stirred and mixed with a dissolver stirrer to prepare a composition for forming a non-magnetic layer.
A composition for forming a backcoat layer was prepared by the following method. The components except for the polyisocyanate were introduced into a dissolver stirrer, stirred at a peripheral speed of 10 m/sec for 30 minutes, and then dispersed using a horizontal bead mill disperser. After that, polyisocyanate was added, and the mixture was stirred and mixed with a dissolver stirrer to prepare a composition for forming a backcoat layer.

(6) Method for producing magnetic tape and magnetic tape cartridge On the surface of the biaxially stretched support shown in Table 1 having a thickness of 4.0 µm, the above (5) was applied so that the thickness after drying was 0.6 µm. A non-magnetic layer was formed by coating and drying the composition for forming a non-magnetic layer prepared in 1. above. Next, the composition for forming the magnetic layer prepared in (5) above was coated on the non-magnetic layer so that the thickness after drying was 0.1 μm to form a coating layer. After that, while the coating layer of the composition for forming the magnetic layer is in an undried state, a magnetic field with a magnetic field strength of 0.3 T is applied in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the coating layer to perform a vertical alignment treatment, and then the coating layer is dried. to form a magnetic layer. After that, the backcoat layer-forming composition prepared in (5) above was applied to the surface of the support opposite to the surface on which the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer were formed so that the thickness after drying was 0.5 μm. It was coated and dried to form a backcoat layer.
After that, using a calender roll composed only of metal rolls, the surface is smoothed (calendered) at a speed of 100 m / min, a linear pressure of 300 kg / cm, and a calender temperature of 90 ° C. (calender roll surface temperature). did
After that, heat treatment was performed by storing the long magnetic tape raw material in a heat treatment furnace with an atmospheric temperature of 70° C. (heat treatment time: 36 hours). After the heat treatment, the film was slit to a width of 1/2 inch to obtain a magnetic tape. By recording a servo signal on the magnetic layer of the obtained magnetic tape with a commercially available servo writer, a data band, a servo band, and a guide band are arranged in accordance with the LTO (Linear Tape-Open) Ultrium format, and the servo A magnetic tape having a servo pattern (timing-based servo pattern) arranged and shaped according to the LTO Ultrium format on the band was obtained. The servo pattern thus formed is a servo pattern according to the descriptions of JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) X6175:2006 and Standard ECMA-319 (June 2001). The total number of servo bands is five, and the total number of data bands is four.
The magnetic tape (length 970 m) after forming the servo pattern was wound around a core for heat treatment, and heat-treated while being wound around the core. As the core for heat treatment, a resin-made solid core member (outer diameter: 50 mm) having a bending elastic modulus of 0.8 GPa was used, and the tension during winding was set to 0.60 N. The heat treatment was performed at the heat treatment temperature shown in Table 1 for 5 hours. The weight absolute humidity of the heat-treated atmosphere was 10 g/kg Dry air.
After the heat treatment, after the magnetic tape and the heat treatment core are sufficiently cooled, the magnetic tape is removed from the heat treatment core, wound on the temporary take-up core, and then removed from the temporary take-up core to the magnetic tape cartridge. Wind the magnetic tape for the final product length (960m) to the reel hub of the reel in the longitudinal direction by applying the tension of the value described in the column "Tension at time of manufacture" in Table 1, cut off the remaining 10m, and cut off side To the ends of the was spliced a leader tape according to Standard ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers Association)-319 (June 2001) Section 3, Item 9, by commercial splicing tape. As the winding core for temporary winding, a solid core member made of the same material as the winding core for heat treatment and having the same outer diameter was used.
As the magnetic tape cartridge containing the magnetic tape, a single reel type magnetic tape cartridge having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 was used. The reel hub of this magnetic tape cartridge is a single-layer reel hub (thickness: 2.5 mm, outer diameter: 44 mm) injection-molded from glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate. The glass fiber content of this glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate is the value shown in Table 1 (unit: % by mass). A part of the glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate for injection molding was collected, and according to JIS K 7171: 2016, item 6.3.1 (manufacture from molding material), described in item 6.1.2 of the same JIS. A recommended test piece was prepared, and the flexural modulus (arithmetic average of five test pieces) was obtained according to the same JIS. The flexural modulus of the reel hub material was also determined by the above method for the examples and comparative examples described later. The flexural modulus of the core for heat treatment is also determined in the same manner.
As described above, a single-reel type magnetic tape cartridge of Example 1 in which a magnetic tape having a length of 960 m was wound around a reel was produced.

[Examples 2 to 21, Comparative Examples 1 to 7]
A magnetic tape cartridge was fabricated by the method described for Example 1, except that the items in Table 1 were changed as shown in Table 1.
In Table 1, in the comparative example described as "none" in the "heat treatment temperature" column, the magnetic tape with a final product length of 960 m was not subjected to heat treatment while being wound around the heat treatment core. housed in a cartridge.

Two magnetic tape cartridges were produced for each of the above examples and comparative examples, one of which was used for the following evaluation of medium life and tape thickness, and the other used for evaluation of recording/reproducing performance, which will be described later.

[Evaluation method]
<Media life>
(Measurement of servo band interval)
The magnetic tape cartridge to be measured was placed in a measurement environment with an atmospheric temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50% for 5 days in order to familiarize it with the measurement environment.
After that, under the above measurement environment, the magnetic tape was run in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with a tension of 0.70 N applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. During this running, the interval between two adjacent servo bands across the data band was measured at intervals of 1 m over the entire length of the magnetic tape. Measurements were made for all servo band intervals. The servo band interval measured in this manner was defined as the "servo band interval before storage" at each measurement position. The interval between two adjacent servo bands sandwiching the data band was obtained as follows.
In order to find the interval between two adjacent servo bands sandwiching the data band, the dimension of the servo pattern is required. Servo pattern dimension standards differ depending on the LTO generation. Therefore, first, using a magnetic force microscope or the like, the average distance AC between the corresponding four stripes of the A burst and the C burst and the azimuth angle α of the servo pattern are measured.
Next, a reel tester and a servo equipped with two servo signal reading elements (hereinafter referred to as the upper side and the other as the lower side) fixed at intervals in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. Using a head, the servo patterns formed on the magnetic tape are sequentially read along the longitudinal direction of the tape. Define a as the average time between 5 stripes corresponding to A and B bursts over the length of 1 LPOS word. Define b as the mean time of the corresponding four stripes of A and C bursts over a length of 1 m. At this time, the value defined by AC×(1/2−a/b)/(2×tan(α)) represents the width-direction reading position PES based on the servo signal obtained by the servo signal reading element. . Servo pattern reading is performed simultaneously by the two upper and lower servo signal reading elements. Let PES1 be the PES value obtained by the upper servo signal reading element, and PES2 be the PES value obtained by the lower servo signal reading element. As "PES2-PES1", the interval between two adjacent servo bands across the data band can be obtained. This is because the upper and lower servo pattern reading elements are fixed to the servo head and the spacing between them does not change.
After that, the above magnetic tape cartridges were subjected to the above-described method for "servo band interval after 24 hours storage", "A after 24 hours storage", "servo band interval after 48 hours storage" and "48 hours storage". "Servo Band Interval After 72 Hour Storage" and "A After 72 Hour Storage", "Servo Band Interval After 96 Hour Storage" and "A After 96 Hour Storage", and "120 Hour Storage" The "later servo band interval" and "A after 120 hour storage" were determined.

(Derivation of linear function)
From the value of A and the value of the logarithm log _e T of the storage time T obtained in the above steps, a linear function of A and log _e T was derived by the method of least squares. A linear function is represented by Y=cX+d, where A is Y and log _e T is X. c and d are coefficients determined by the method of least squares, and both are positive values.

(Determination of B)
5 environments (temperature 16°C relative humidity 20%, temperature 16°C relative humidity 80%, temperature 26°C relative humidity 80%, temperature 32°C relative humidity 20%, temperature 32°C relative humidity 55%) by the following methods. I made a measurement.
For each measurement environment, the magnetic tape cartridge to be measured was placed in the measurement environment for 5 days in order to adapt to the measurement environment.
After that, under the measurement environment, the magnetic tape was run in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with a tension of 0.70 N applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. The servo band interval was measured by the above method in the data band 0 (zero) for the above running at intervals of 1 m in the 100 m area of the outer circumference of the reel. As previously described, the arithmetic mean of the measured servo band spacings was taken as the servo band spacing for that measurement environment.
After obtaining the servo band interval in each of the five environments as described above, using the maximum and minimum values among the obtained values, it is calculated as "(maximum value - minimum value) x 1/2". The value was taken as "B" for the magnetic tape cartridge to be measured.

(Calculation of media life)
T was calculated when A satisfies “Formula 1: A=1.5−B” by a linear function of the logarithm log _e T of A and T derived above. Table 1 shows the medium life values obtained for the examples and the comparative examples.

<Tape thickness>
After the above evaluation, the magnetic tape cartridge was placed in an environment with a temperature of 20 to 25° C. and a relative humidity of 40 to 60% for 5 days or longer to acclimate to the same environment. Subsequently, under the same environment, 10 tape samples (5 cm in length) were cut out from an arbitrary portion of the magnetic tape taken out from the magnetic tape cartridge, and these tape samples were piled up to measure the thickness. Thickness measurements were made using a MARH Millimar 1240 compact amplifier and a Millimar 1301 inductive probe digital thickness gauge. The value (thickness per tape sample) obtained by dividing the measured thickness by 1/10 was taken as the tape thickness. The tape thickness was 5.2 μm for each magnetic tape.

<Evaluation of recording/playback performance>
(1) Recording of data on magnetic tape before storage and reproduction of recorded data Recording and reproduction of recorded data before storage were performed using the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. The recording/reproducing head mounted on the recording/reproducing head unit has 32 channels or more of reproducing elements (reproducing element width: 0.8 μm) and recording elements, and has servo signal reading/reproducing elements on both sides thereof.
For each magnetic tape cartridge, the environment in which recording and reproduction, which will be described later, is performed was the environment in which the servo band interval obtained in the measurement for obtaining B was the maximum value among the above five environments.
In order to adapt to the recording environment, the magnetic tape cartridge was placed in the reproducing environment for 5 days. Then, in the same environment, recording was performed as follows.
A magnetic tape cartridge is set in the magnetic recording/reproducing device, and the magnetic tape is loaded. Next, pseudo-random data having a specific data pattern is recorded on the magnetic tape by the recording/reproducing head unit while performing servo tracking. The tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the tape at that time is a constant value of 0.50N. Simultaneously with data recording, the value of the servo band interval over the entire length of the tape is measured every 1 m of the longitudinal position and recorded in the cartridge memory.
Next, while performing servo tracking, the data recorded on the magnetic tape is reproduced by the recording/reproducing head unit. At that time, the value of the servo band interval is measured at the same time as the reproduction. Change the direction of tension. During playback, measurement of the servo band interval and tension control based thereon are continuously performed in real time. During such reproduction, the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape was changed in the range of 0.50N to 0.85N by the controller of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. Therefore, the maximum value of the tension applied to the magnetic tape in the longitudinal direction is 0.85 N during the reproduction.
At the end of the playback, the entire length of the magnetic tape was wound on the cartridge reel of the magnetic tape cartridge.

(2) Winding (rewinding) on a cartridge reel and storage Under the same environment, the magnetic tape was run in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and the entire length of the magnetic tape was wound onto the take-up reel of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. . The tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape during winding was a constant value of 0.40N.
Thereafter, a constant tension of 0.40 N was applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape, and the entire length of the magnetic tape was wound around the cartridge reel (also referred to as "rewinding").
After rewinding, the magnetic tape cartridge containing the magnetic tape was stored for 72 hours in an environment with an ambient temperature of 60° C. and a relative humidity of 20% in order to approximate the state after long-term storage over several years.

(3) Evaluation of recording/playback performance after storage After storage, in order to acclimatize the magnetic tape cartridge to the environment in which playback is performed, the servo band interval obtained in the measurement for obtaining B in the above 5 environments was the maximum. It was placed in an environment where the value was 5 days. Thereafter, in the same environment, regeneration was performed in the same manner as the regeneration before storage in (1) above. That is, reproduction was performed by changing the tension applied in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape as described above.
The number of channels in the above reproduction is 32 channels, and in the reproduction after storage, if the data of all 32 channels are correctly read, the recording and reproduction performance is evaluated as "4", and the data of 31 or 30 channels are correctly read. The recording/reproducing performance is evaluated as "3" when the data of the 29th channel or the 28th channel is correctly read, and the recording/reproducing performance is evaluated as "2" when the data of the 29th channel or the 28th channel is correctly read. bottom.

The above results are shown in Table 1 (Tables 1-1 to 1-3).

The recording and reproducing performance of the magnetic tape cartridge of Example 1 was evaluated by the above method, except that the rewinding tension for winding around the cartridge reel was changed from 0.40 N to 0.50 N in the evaluation of the recording and reproducing performance. The evaluation result was "2".

A magnetic tape cartridge was produced by the method described above for Example 1, except that the perpendicular orientation treatment was not performed during the production of the magnetic tape.
A sample piece was cut out from the magnetic tape taken out from the magnetic tape cartridge. The squareness ratio in the vertical direction of this sample piece was found to be 0.55 by using the TM-TRVSM5050-SMSL model manufactured by Tamagawa Seisakusho as a vibrating sample magnetometer by the method described above.
A magnetic tape was taken out from the magnetic tape cartridge of Example 1, and the vertical squareness ratio of a sample piece cut out from this magnetic tape was similarly determined to be 0.60.

The magnetic tapes taken out from the above two magnetic tape cartridges were each attached to a 1/2 inch reel tester, and the electromagnetic conversion characteristics (SNR: Signal-to-Noise Ratio) were evaluated by the following method. As a result, the magnetic tape taken out from the magnetic tape cartridge of Example 1 had an SNR value that was 2 dB higher than that of the magnetic tape produced without the perpendicular orientation treatment.
In an environment of temperature 23° C. and relative humidity 50%, 10 passes of recording and reproduction were performed by applying a tension of 0.70 N in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. The relative speed between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head was 6 m/sec, and recording was performed using a MIG (Metal-in-gap) head (gap length 0.15 μm, track width 1.0 μm) as a recording head, and recording current. The optimum recording current was set for each magnetic tape. Reproduction was performed using a GMR (Giant-Magnetoresistive) head (element thickness: 15 nm, shield interval: 0.1 μm, reproduction element width: 0.8 μm). A signal with a linear recording density of 300 kfci was recorded, and the reproduced signal was measured with a spectrum analyzer manufactured by Shibasoku. The unit kfci is the unit of linear recording density (cannot be converted to the SI unit system). As the signal, a portion where the signal was sufficiently stabilized after the magnetic tape started running was used.

One aspect of the present invention is useful in the technical field of various data storage such as archives.

Claims

A magnetic tape cartridge containing a magnetic tape wound around a cartridge reel,
The magnetic tape has a non-magnetic support and a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder,
The non-magnetic support is a polyethylene naphthalate support having a Young's modulus in the width direction of 10000 MPa or more,
The magnetic layer has a plurality of servo bands,
The maximum absolute value of the difference between the servo band interval obtained before storage under the environment of temperature 32° C. and relative humidity 80% and the servo band interval obtained after storage under the environment for the storage time T. is A, the unit of A is μm, and T is 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours, or 120 hours. , the medium life calculated by a linear function of the logarithm log e T of A and T is 3 years or more,
The medium life is expressed by the following formula 1:
(Formula 1)
A = 1.5 - B
is T when satisfying
The B is
Under the following 5 environments:
temperature 16°C relative humidity 20%,
temperature 16°C relative humidity 80%,
temperature 26°C relative humidity 80%,
temperature 32°C relative humidity 20%,
temperature 32°C relative humidity 55%,
A value calculated by multiplying the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value in the servo band interval obtained by 1/2 by 1, and the unit is μm.
2. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said medium life is 3 years or more and 200 years or less.
2. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said polyethylene naphthalate support has a Young's modulus in the width direction of 10000 MPa or more and 20000 MPa or less.
2. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic tape further comprises a non-magnetic layer containing non-magnetic powder between said non-magnetic support and said magnetic layer.
2. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic tape further comprises a back coat layer containing non-magnetic powder on the surface of said non-magnetic support opposite to the surface having said magnetic layer.
2. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic tape has a tape thickness of 5.2 [mu]m or less.
2. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic tape has a vertical squareness ratio of 0.60 or more.
A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprising the magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a magnetic head having a reproducing element width of 0.8 μm or less.
the magnetic tape cartridge;
a take-up reel;
including
Between the take-up reel and the cartridge reel of the magnetic tape cartridge, the magnetic tape is run under tension in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape, the maximum value of the tension being 0.50 N or more, 9. The magnetic tape according to claim 8, wherein the magnetic tape that has been run under the tension is wound around the cartridge reel of the magnetic tape cartridge by applying a tension of 0.40 N or less in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. Magnetic recording and reproducing device.