of Commerce

National Bureau

of Standards

Computer Science

and Technology

N8S

P^eUCATIOlvs

NBS Special Publication 500-101

Care and Handling of

Computer Magnetic

Storage IVIedia
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The National Bureau of Standards' was established by an act ot Congress on March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology

and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts

research and provides: (I) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau's technical work is per- formed by the National Measurement Laboratory, the National Engineering Laboratory, and

the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology.

THE NATIONAL MEASUREMENT LABORATORY provides the national system of

physical and chemical and materials measurement; coordinates the system with measurement

systems of other nations and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform

physical and chemical measurement throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry,

and commerce; conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement,

standards, and data on the properties of materials needed by industry, commerce, educational

institutions, and Government; provides advisory and research services to other Government

agencies; develops, produces, and distributes Standard Reference Materials; and provides

calibration services. The Laboratory consists ot the following centers:

Absolute Physical Quantities^ — Radiation Research — Chemical Physics —

Analytical Chemistry — Materials Science

THE NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY provides technology and technical ser- vices to the public and private sectors to address national needs and to solve national problems; conducts research in engineering and applied science in support of these efforts; builds and maintains competence in the necessary disciplines required to carry out this research and technical service; develops engineering data and measurement capabilities;

provides engineering measurement traceability services; develops test methods and proposes

engineering standards and code changes; develops and proposes new engineering practices;

and develops and improves mechanisms to transfer results of its research to the ultimate user. The Laboratory consists of the following centers:

Applied Mathematics — Electronics and Electrical Engineering^ — Manufacturing

Engineering — Building Technology — Fire Research — Chemical Engineering^

THE INSTITUTE FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY conducts

research and provides scientific and technical services to aid Federal agencies in the selection, acquisition, application, and use of computer technology to improve effectiveness and

economy in Government operations in accordance with Public Law 89-306 (40 U.S.C. 759), relevant Executive Orders, and other directives; carries out this mission by managing the Federal Information Processing Standards Program, developing Federal ADP standards

guidelines, and managing Federal participation in ADP voluntary standardization activities; provides scientific and technological advisory services and assistance to Federal agencies; and

provides the technical foundation for computer-related policies of the Federal Government.

The Institute consists of the following centers:

Programming Science and Technology — Computer Systems Engineering.

'Headquarters and Laboratories at Gaithersburg, MD, unless otherwise noted; mailing address Washington, DC 20234. 'Some divisions within the center are located at Boulder, CO 80303.
Computer Science JUN 2 3 198

and Technology .

NBS Special Publication 500-101

Care and Handling of

Computer Magnetic

Storage Media

Sidney B. Geller

Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Malcolm Saldrige, Secretary

National Bureau of Standards

Ernest Ambler, Director

Issued June 1983
Reports on Computer Science and Technology

The National Bureau of Standards has a special responsibility within the Federal

Government for computer science and technology activities. The programs of the

NBS Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology are designed to provide ADP

standards, guidelines, and technical advisory services to improve the effectiveness

of computer utilization in the Federal sector, and to perform appropriate research

and development efforts as foundation for such activities and programs. This

publication series will report these NBS efforts to the Federal computer community as

well as to interested specialists in the academic and private sectors. Those wishing

to receive notices of publications in this series should complete and return the form

at the end of this publication.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 83-600536

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 500-101

Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 500-101, 135 pages (June 1983)

CODEN: XNBSAV

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1983

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents. U S Government Printing Olfice. Washington. DC 20402

Price $5.50

(Add 25 percent for other than U S, mailing)
PREFACE

Computer magnetic tape is the prevalent mass storage medium used by industry and

Government data processing organizations for both direct and archival data storage

applications. A forecast for the storage media installed base in the Federal

Government predicts that the Government inventory will consist of 11 million reels

of magnetic computer tape by 1985 [1].

The improper care and handling of these computer magnetic tapes and other

magnetic media such as flexible disk cartridges, is the major cause for serious and

costly media and data losses by all users. This Special Publication has been written

in response to this important problem. It presents a comprehensive set of care and

handling guidelines and recommendations whose purpose is to assure the successful

retrieval of the data which are stored on these media. It considers data retrieval in

active areas such as data processing centers and tape libraries, as well as in

long-term tape storage environments.

This Special Publication addresses the information needs of the ADP installation

managers, the operating personnel and the technical staff.

The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Candice E. Leatherman to

the production of the Special Publication. Her dedication, patience, secretarial

skills, and suggestions were indispensable to the writing of this document.

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION 1

1. Computer Magnetic Media Care and Handling

Recommendations 5

1.1 Descriptions of Recommendations in Section 1 7 1.2 Computer Tape Physical Handling Recommendations 9

1.3 Clean Handling Recommendations 19

1.4 Environmental Recommendations 24

1.5 Transportation Recommendations 26

1.6 Effects of Extreme Environments on Computer

Magnetic Media 28

1.7 Fire Recommendations 30

1.8 Water Recommendations 34

1.9 Effects of Magnetic Fields on Recorded Magnetic Media 37

1.10 Exposure to Fields and Devices Recommendations 41

1.11 Questions and Answers Relative to the Effects of

Magnetic Fields on Recorded Media 45

1.12 Magnetic Field Recommendations 49

1.13 Scheduled Computer Tape Maintenance 52

1.14 Scheduled Computer Tape Maintenance Recommendations 53

1.15 Flexible Disk Cartridges 57

1.16 Flexible Disk Care and Handling Recommendations 58

1.17 Computer Tape Transport Care 62

2. Long-Term Storage — Care and Handling 64

2.1 Long-Term Archival Storage - Large Population Cases 66

2.1.1 Preparation Phase 67

(1) The Quality of the Tapes that are Chosen for

Long-Term Storage 67

(2) Physical Preparation of the Computer Tapes

Prior to Long-Term Storage 70

(3) Recommendations for Computer Tape Physical

Preparations 71

(4) Preparation of the Data Prior to Long-Term

Storage 72

(5) Recommendations for the Preparation of Archival

Data 73

2.1.2 Storage Phase 73

(1) Static Phase 74

(2) Recommendations (Static Phase) 75

(3) Dynamic Phase 76

(4) Recommendations (Dynamic Phase) 77

V
Page

2.1.3 Reactivation Phase 78

(1) Recommendations for the Reactivation Phase 79

2.2 Long-Term Archival Storage - Small Sample Population Case .... 80

2.2.1 Background Theory for Small Sample Population

Recommendations 81

2.2.2 Preparation Phase 84

(1) Quality of Tapes that are Chosen 84

(2) Physical Preparation Prior to Long-Term

storage 85

2.2.3 Storage Phase 86

(1) Static Recommendations 86

(2) Dynamic Recommendations ., 86

2.2.4 Reactivation Phase Recommendations 86

3. Scheduled Maintenance of Computer Magnetic Tapes 88

3.1 Computer Tape Errors 88

3.1.1 Scheduled Maintenance Cost Factors 89

3.2 Types of Computer Magnetic Tape Maintenance Equipment 91

3.2.1 Tape Cleaners 91

3.2.2 Tape Certifiers 92

3.2.3 Tape Evaluators/Testers 93

3.2.4 Miscellaneous Devices 94

3.3 Tape Rehabilitation 94

3.3.1 Class of Work 95

3.3.2 Product Requirements 95

3.3.3 Record Keeping 96

3.3.4 Quality Assurance Requirements 98

4. Tape Management Systems (TMS) 99

4.1 TMS -I 99

4.2 TMS-II 100

4.3 TMS-III 102

4.4 SAS-1 103

vi
Page

5. Clean Rooms and Clean Room Operations Guidelines 104

5.1 Description of Clean Rooms 104

5.2 Various Media Clean Rooms in Industry and

Government 106

5.3 General Guidelines for all Types of Clean Rooms

and Clean Work Stations 109

5.4 Guidelines for Nonlaminar Airflow Clean Rooms

and Clean Work Stations 110

5.5 Guidelines for Laminar Airflow Clean Rooms and

Clean Work Stations Ill

6. References 112

7. Appendix A. Handling and Envircmmental Effects 115

7.1 Effects of Hydrolysis on Tapes 115

7.2 Effects of Humidity on Tape Abrasivity 116

7.3 Effects of Viscoelasticity on the Tape Pack 117

7.4 Effects of Temperature, Humidity, and Winding on the Tape Pack 117

7.5 Signal Rise Effect 119

8. Appendix B, Computer Magfnetic Tape Recording

and Materials 121

8.1 Computer Magnetic Tape Recording 121

8.2 Magnetic Media Particles 124

9. List of Symbols €md Abbreviations 127

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Candidate Cleaning Solvents 20

Table 2. Computer Tape Tests, Measurements, and Examinations 68

Table 3. General Examination of Tapes 69

Table 4. Maximum Dropouts/Errors per Reel 97

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Effects of Permanent Magnetic Fields on Recorded Tapes 39

Figure 2. Effects of Varying Magnetic Fields on Recorded Tapes 40

Figure 3. Effects of Temperature and Humidity on the

Hydrolysis of Tape Binders 83

vii

CARE AND HANDLING OF

COMPUTER MAGNETIC STORAGE MEDIA

Sidney B. Geller

This Special Publication deals with the physical/chemical preservation of

computer magnetic storage media—principally computer magnetic

tapes—and their stored data, through the application of proper care and

handling methods under various conditions. It emphasizes the media

handling methods and environmental conditions which should be

instituted during the course of controllable day-to-day and long-term

archival storage activities. It also considers measures which can be

initiated during media transit and in the aftermath of catastrophic or uncontrollable events. However, the publication does not address the

problem of computer storage system security from the viewpoint of data

theft or intentional data modification.

Key words: Archival storage; care and handling;

certification/evaluation; computer tape, magnetic; clean rooms;

environmental effects; flexible disks; magnetic fields, effects of;

rehabilitation, computer tape; scheduled maintenance, computer tape;

storage media, computer magnetic; tape management systems.

INTRODUCTION

Total computer installation security can be achieved only with a fuU backup system

including hardware, software, and all storage media. Unfortunately the duplication

of a complete computer system at alternate sites is prohibitively expensive (and

unnecessary) for most organizations. In many instances, the central processor, the

communications equipment, and the peripheral devices can be replaced in the wake

of a catastrophic event. In fact, a security arrangement may consist of an agreement for emergency backup operations with another organization's system.

However, the loss of, or the destruction of, vital data files and programs stored on computer magnetic media such as tapes can result in extremely serious and costly

recovery problems, if indeed such recovery is at all possible. Therefore, the

maintenance of a secure media storage system is absolutely necessary and must be

given a high organizational priority [2],[3].l

Typically, most organizations maintain their computer tape libraries in close

proximity to their data processing facility in order to achieve efficient and rapid access to their tapes with minimum temperature-humidity variations in transit. In addition to the media stored in the tape library, duplicates of the critical tapes (and

disks) are often stored in off-site locations including commercial vaults.2 In instances where increased security is desired for on-site media storage, special

heat, fire, and humidity resistant vaults and safes are employed. In some

organizations, large environmentally controlled, on-site walk-in vaults are

^References to various sources in the list of References will appear in brackets f ]

within the text.

^Commercial storage facilities for computer magnetic media can often be located

through the YeUow pages of the telephone directory (see sec. 1.2-(33)).

1
constructed which are both fire and intrusion resistant. The formal control of

personnel access to aU of these locations is another important security factor which

should be considered in the initial design phase.

This Special Publication outlines recommendations for maintaining the security and

quality of computer magnetic media and the stored data in the following locations:

. Active environments (ADP operational areas, testing and research areas).

. Storage environments (libraries and vaults; long-term archival storage).

. In transit.

There are variations in the care and handling methods for each area. For example,

media whose lifetime wiU consist of transits from an active tape library to the

operational data processing facility and return, are handled and selected differently

from media held in long-term archives. Master or vital tapes which are in transit

through uncontrolled environments are often packaged in specialized containers

which shield these media from the environment.

This Special Publication considers the care and handling activities for computer

storage media in the following categories:

(a) Computer storage media management which is based upon recommended

methods for the controllable, physical care and handling of the media and

their operating and storage environments. This category constitutes the

major portion of this publication (see sec. 1.). It considers:

. The proper physical and clean handling of the storage media by the

personnel in the test laboratory, the tape library, the long-term

archives, and the computer installation. It outlines activities which

should either be initiated or avoided by the operating personnel in order

to minimize the physical/chemical deterioration of the media and to

maximize their potential for data recovery.

. Environmental requirements which include the conditions under which

the medium is tested, stored, and operated as well as those under which

the magnetic tape is transported. These conditions include specified

temperatures and humidities, degrees of local cleanness, enclosures, as well as environments which are permeated by subtle energy types such as electromagnetic fields. In most instances, these environmental factors can be controlled through careful site planning, construction, and system

r maintenance.

. The recovery of damaged media and data. This activity is either a

reflection of the failure to achieve the maximum potential of the

preceding categories or the result of an uncontrollable system,

environmental, or media breakdown.

(b) Controlled and protective management of computer tapes through the use

of special computer software programs such as Tape Management Systems

r (TMS) (see sec. 4.). These management systems interact with the operation

of the actual data processing systems whose storage media are being

protected. They control the flow of the media through the system.

2
perform error logging functions, and assist with the required tape

maintenance scheduling.

(c) Scheduled maintenance of active and stored computer magnetic tapes (see sec. 3.). This maintenance includes the cleaning, evaluating (or certifying),

rehabilitating, and exercising of the media according to specific criteria.

These criteria can be tracked through the use of reports which are derived

from Tape Management Systems (TMS), from less complex error- logging

software systems, or throi^h manual check-off procedures.

(d) The long-term archival care and handling of computer magnetic tapes.

This is another major area in this publication (see sec. 2.). A survey

conducted for the National Archives and Records Service in 1975 indicated

that Federal agencies had approximately 200,000 reels which contained

information of long-term archival value [4]. A 1982 estimate projected an

annual growth rate of 7% to 15% for magnetic tapes and a 25% to 40%

annual growth rate for flexible disk cartridge media.

There are a number of criteria which should be met by a medium which is to be

maintained in long-term archival storage. Among these are information density,

data permanence, minimal maintenance, data costs, speed of access, machine

independence, and media standardization. It was concluded that presently no

available magnetic storage medium meets a sufficient number of these criteria [4]. However, since no alternate medium exists at this time, the effective care and

handling of computer magnetic tape must be considered since this is the prevalent

medium now used for long-term storage of summary and backup data. It is of

interest to note that due to today's higher bit recording densities and lower

computer tape prices, the cost per stored bit is less by approximately five orders of

magnitude than the bit cost of 25 years ago.

Although only the archival care of computer magnetic tapes is discussed in this

publication, any complete analysis of archival factors must also consider the

preservation and security of the entire storage entity; this includes the lifetime of

the system, the information contents, and the information codes [5].

The long-term archival care- and- handling methods for computer tapes which are described in section 2. stem either from: (a) results which were based on empirical

observations derived from large, diverse tape sample populations, or from

(b) analytically and experimentally based conclusions which were derived from small

sample populations.

There are differences of opinion relative to the amount of formal scheduling which

is required for archival tape maintenance. For example, some organizations [6]

recommend extensive long-term archival computer tape care and handling programs

which incorporate scheduled cleaning, exercising, and rechecking of most stored

tapes, as well as the scheduled recopying of vital or master tapes. Alternately, one

organization with a large tape archive has adopted an approach in which there is no

formally scheduled archival tape maintenance program. Instead, the tapes are cleaned and reread only when data errors are encountered after they are recalled

from archives [7]. The advent of improved tape binder formulations and smoother

tape surfaces in recent years has probably reduced the risk inherent in this latter

approach because surface smoothing techniques have produced tapes with higher bit

3
density capabilities, less debris (leading to longer life), and less read/write head

wear.

In addition, other organizations have instituted programs of scheduled archival care and handling of their computer tapes which is midway in complexity between the

two preceding approaches. However, since there is no unified or analytic discipline

available at present with which the care and handling effects on the long-term

properties of computer magnetic tapes can be completely predicted, it is presently

not possible to arrive at a final conclusion about a "best" method for archival care.

Appendix A discusses some of the underlying mechanisms which cause

physical/chemical deterioration of the media and the subsequent data losses. These

include:

(a) Extreme values and variations in environmental temperatures and

humidities, and their resultant effects on coating hydrolysis, tape surface

abrasivity, and tape pack pressures, and

(b) Improper tape winding processes and the resultant viscoelastic responses of

the tape which lead to tape pack damage.

The care and handling information in this document has been derived from:

. Multiple sources in the open, non-proprietary literature including industry

and Government publications and standards documents,

. Personal communications and meetings with media specialists in industry

and Government who have been very informative and cooperative with the

Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology (ICST) personnel over the

years. There is no divulgence of proprietary information in this publication.

. Extensive experience gained in the ICST, Computer Storage Media

laboratory which has been engaged in experimental activities and in the

measurement, calibration, and production of magnetic media standard

reference materials (SRM's) for more than a decade.

4
1. Computer Magnetic Media Care and Handlii^ Recommendations

Magnetic computer tapes and flexible disks consist of magnetic oxide particles

dispersed in a suitable polymeric binder material that has been uniformly coated

over the surface of a flexible polyester, or equivalent base material. The prevalent

base substrate material is typically made of mylar (polyethylene teraphthalate)

which is a stable non-magnetic material. The polymeric binder coating material is typically a polyester urethane elastomer which contains the dispersion of gamma

ferric oxide (y-Fe203) magnetic particles as well as numerous chemical

constituents which give the final product its required characteristics such as improved particle dispersion, tape flexibility, conductivity, and relative softness

which ensures intimate physical contact between the tape and the record/reproduce

transducer.

The retention of the magnetically recorded data is performed solely by the oxide

particles with the remaining constituents of the tape coating acting as a binder or carrier for these particles. Any embedding of debris into the media surface, or any

distortion of the mylar base substrate material or the coating or both, or any

breakdown or alteration of the chemical structure of the binder will result in a mispositioning of the media during operation, or a direct loss or misalignment of the

coating or particles; this causes a loss of data contents. Studies have shown that

other than those caused by unwanted magnetic fields, that there is almost no loss of

data contents which does not stem from an alteration in some physical or chemical

property of the polymeric media components. Fortunately, many conditions which

cause data losses through the physical and chemical deterioration of the media can

be controlled through the use of housekeeping techniques such as cleanliness

controls, temperature and humidity controls, regular media maintenance schedules,

and computer tape operator training. In addition, security measures can be initiated

to prevent data losses due to magnetic fields.

Improper handling is a common cause for both debris contamination and physical

damage to the reels and computer tapes. These damages inevitably lead to data

losses and costly reconstruction procedures. Sections 1. and 2. present methods

leading to the proper care and handling of computer magnetic tapes and flexible

disks and their associated systems for use by the managerial and operating personnel

at a computer installation, tape library, or long-term archive.

Media system designs which simplify the required functions of the operating

personnel can reduce the potential damage to the tapes. For example, the design of

the reel mounting hub mechanism on some types of tape transports encourages the

operators to set the tape reel onto the supply hub and snap it into position by

striking the outer flanges of the reel briskly; this causes tape edge and/or reel

flange damage. This damage can be circumvented through the use of a self-locking

hub mechanism on the drive which does not require physical mounting force, or by a

fully automatic self-loading tape cartridge system which places a truly effective

barrier against the operators potential for inflicting media damage both through the

use of excessive force and through finger contact contamination of the tape.

Self-locking hubs and self-threading mechanisms which require very little

finger-to-tape contact are now found on the newer high density tape drives.

Operators often attempt to speed up their operations through the use of short cuts.

For example, they will insert a missing write enable ring into the tape flange

without first demounting the tape from the drive. This often leads to tape damage

5
in the form of creases on the length of tape which has been extracted from the

vacuum column.

Installations have reported that a considerable amount of paper printer dust has

been found on computer tapes whose drives are located in the same general area as the printers. The effect of this paper dust on tapes and drives is exacerbated by

drives whose windows have been left open intentionally by operators during tape

operations. Data processing installation managers are responsible for many of these

problems, particularly when they do not insist upon the maintenance of proper and

clean working conditions and habits.

The following are the principal causes for media damage and data losses on computer magnetic tapes:

(1) Physical mishandling by operating personnel.

(2) Lack of proper training for media handling personnel.

(3) Poor on-site management.

(4) Failure to control temperature and/or humidity in operational or storage

areas.

(5) Contamination, debris, and cumulative wear products in the tape pack

caused by poor tape manufacturing control, operator mishandling, and by

defective tape transport components.

(6) Misadjusted or misaligned transports or other tape winding equipment

which cause improper tape tensioning and winding.

(7) Lack of environmental cleanliness control and failure to adhere to proper

clean operating practices.

(8) Subjecting the recorded media to close-in high intensity magnetic fields.

(9) Failure to properly select and pretest media for use in long-term storage.

(10) Failure to properly prepare and to ship media in proper containers.

(11) Failure to initiate protective measures against catastrophic events such as

fire and flood.

(12) Failure to provide a proper tape and system maintenance schedule.

(13) Failure to perform visual inspection of the tape, the tape reel flanges, and

hubs prior to operation or storage.

(14) Recording the data on computer tapes using modulation methods which are very sensitive to media cold-flow distortion with time in storage. For

example, storing tapes which have been recorded at 32 bpmm (800 bpi)

(NRZI) has been found to sustain a high rate of data loss with time (see sec.

2.1.1-(4) and references [s] and [9]).

In addition to magnetic computer tapes and flexible disk cartridges, the

recommendations in section 1. are also applicable to other types of flexible

magnetic media such as cassettes, cartridges, and in many areas for magnetic stripe

plastic cards and rigid disks.

Note: The mention of specific sources and manufacturers is not to be construed as an endorsement by the National Bureau of Standards of these items over other

available equivalent items. In most instances, the reader is directed to references

[2],[l0],[ll], and [12] which contain listings of specific manufacturing sources for

many of the items under discussion.

6
1.1 Descriptions of Recommendati<Mis in Section 1^

Section Description

1.2 Computer Tape Physical Handling

Recommendations

1.3 Clean Handling Recommendations

1.4 Environmental Recommendations

Describes the controllable physical handling

activities which should be initiated during

normal operations.

Describes the proper clean operational

modes which prevent media and system

contamination, and data losses.

Outlines the accepted

temperature-humidity environments for

computer tape operating, storage, and test areas.

1.5 Transportation Recommendations Outlines protective measures for computer

tapes in transit through unknown

environments.

1.6 Effects of Extreme Environments on Computer Magnetic Media

1.7 Fire Recommendations

Discusses the results of some experiments

with computer magnetic media which were

performed in hot and cold environments.

Outlines fire safety measures and some

possible recovery methods for tapes which

have been subjected to an extremely hot

environment.

1.8 Water Recommendations Outlines some water safety measures and

some possible recovery methods for tapes

which have been subjected to water

inundation or immersion.

1.9 Effects of Magnetic Fields on Recorded Magnetic Media

Discusses the results of experiments with

magnetic fields and their potential for data

erasure.

1.10 Exposure to Fields and Devices

Recommendations

1.11 Questions and Answers Relative

to the Effects of Magnetic

Fields on Recorded Media

Outlines the effects of a number of devices

such as airport metal detectors, and fields

such as x-ray, radar, and high voltages on

recorded magnetic media of various kinds.

Answers a series of questions which were

posed by the Office of Management and

Budget (0MB).

^See references [13] throi^h [21]. In some cases, individual references will be cited in

the text.

7
Section Description

1.12 Magnetic Field Recommendations Outlines measures and materials for

protecting computer magnetic media

against data erasure by unwanted magnetic

fields.

1.13 Scheduled Computer Tape

Maintenance

1.14 Scheduled Computer Tape

Maintenance Recommendations

Discusses some problems which are encountered in setting up a scheduled tape

maintenance program.

Presents a compilation of diverse

recommendations for

cleaning, evaluation, and

computer magnetic tapes,

guide to decisions

organizations.

scheduling the

rehabilitation of

It is offered as a by individual

1.15 Flexible Disk Cartridges and

1.16 Flexible Disk Care and Handling

Recommendations

Outlines care and handling procedures for

flexible disk cartridges, including those

in the office environment.

1.17 Computer Tape Transport Care Presents some maintenance factors related

to the read/write heads, the tape path, and

tape dynamics.

Note: The original, customary units of measurement for all numeric values used in

this publication are either U.S. engineering units or centimeter gram second - electromagnetic units (cgs-emu). Numeric values in the International System of Units

(SI) have been derived from these customary units. The SI units may have been

rounded off and are therefore consistent with, but not exactly equal to, the customary

units. Either the SI or customary units of measurement may be referred to, but the

two measurement systems should not be intermixed or reconverted. Conversions from

customary units to SI units have been performed according to IEEE Standard 268-1979,

IEEE Standard Metric Practice.

8
1.2 Computer Tape Physical

Handling Recommendations

Remarks

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Handle and lift a tape reel by its

hub, with minimum flange contact

or pressure; the hub is the

strongest reel member.

Never make direct contact with

the tape through a window or aperture in the reel flange.

When loading tape in a manual

threading system, place a finger

into the indentation in the raised

molded disk on the side of the

flange in order to rotate the reel.

Never strike the reel flanges as a means of securing and mounting

the tape onto a transport hub.

Write enable rings should be

removed from all recorded

computer tapes which are placed

into libraries or archives.

Always completely demount a tape

before replacing a missing write

enable ring.

(a) Tape canisters are designed to

support the tape reel by its hub

while wrap-arounds firmly support

the tape reel by its flanges without

sidewaU pressure.

(b) Poor winding can produce irregularities

in the tape pack4 in the form of

individually protruding tape layers.

This places these layers in danger of

physical (edge track) damage due to flange contact pressure during handling.

(c) Some installation managers have noted

that tape edge damage is the prevalent cause for tape data losses followed by

debris contamination. That is, careless

handling and misadjusted drives are two

principal causes for tape failure.

(a) There is a high potential for causing

edge track damage through direct

finger pressure on the tape (see sec.

1.2-(l)(b)).

(b) Self- threading tape systems eliminate

this potential form of tape damage.

(a) Apply most mounting pressure directly on the reel hub.

(b) A self-latching transport hub which

requires minimum tape mounting

pressure is a good means for reducing

edge damage potential.

(a) This prevents the destruction of the

recorded data by inadvertent overwriting.

(b) Some Tape Management Systems do not

require this removal (see sec. 4.2).

(a) A length of tape which remains in a vacuum column can be creased if the

tape is not completely rewound and

removed from the transport before

replacing its write enable ring.

^The tape pack is the cylinder which is formed by the tape after it is wound around the

reel hub.

9
1.2 Computer Tape Physical

Handling Recommendations

Remarks

(6) Make certain that the tape is correctly threaded before

activating transport.

(7) Make certain that the tapes are mounted correctly and evenly on

the transport hub before

continuing with the loading

operation.

(8) Close and secure transport doors

and windows when the tape is in

motion.

(a) Improper threading can cause folding

and creasing of the tape upon

acceleration.

(a) Improper tape mounting can cause

eccentric reel rotation which results

in poor tape guidance, edge track

damage, and tape creasing.

(a) Improperly closed (sealed) doors in the

vicinity of transport vacuum columns

can result in loading and running

difficulties.

(b) Electrostatic fields produced by the

running tape wiU attract dust onto the

tape surface through open transport

windows (see sec. l.lO-(ll)).

(9) Tape operators should be (a)

instructed to report signs of a sudden increase in transport

debris formation (see sec. 1.17).

(b)

(c)

(d)

(10) Do not mount a tape with a (a)

damaged (i.e., bent, chipped,

split, etc.) flange or hub. If a reel has been dropped, check it (b)

carefully for damage and perform

(a) and (b) if necessary. (c)

Excessive debris can be caused by a

misaligned, burred, scored, or defective

component in the tape path. This may

result in abrasion damage to tape

surfaces and edges as they are run over

these components which include guides,

capstans, heads, etc. Immediately

report, locate, replace, or correct

alignment of defective part.

The onset of excessive debris will

usually be accompanied by an increase

in data error rates.

The increase in debris may be caused by

a tape with a faulty coating. Clean the

entire tape path and try a known good

tape. If the tape is faulty, recopy it immediately onto a new tape.

See table 1. in section 1.3 which

describes transport cleaning materials.

Do a slow speed wind-rewind onto a new reel which has been checked for

cleanliness and physical condition.

Make certain that a new, proper tape

label is affixed to the new reel.

Read tape; particularly check edge

tracks. Recopy tape if there is edge

track damage (see sees. 1.2-(23) and

1.2-(24)).

10
1.2 Computer Tape Physical

Handling Recommendations

(11) Investigate and correct the causes (a)

for improperly wound tapes which

appear when run on a particular

transport. Stop the transport

immediately if the tape pack is (b)

winding conically and is beginning

to jam against a reel flange.

Rewind the tape at once and check

it for damage (see sec. 1.2-(21)).

(c)

Remarks

Poor winding may be caused by

misaligned or worn guides or machine

winding tension is too low (see sees.

1.2-(7) and 1.17).

This improper winding tension can

result in both tape foldovers upon

acceleration or deceleration (cinching),

and in irregular tape edges which result

in a rough tape pack.

If the rough appearing pack has been

caused by the original tape slitting

process, replace it immediately. A

poorly slit tape wiU usually produce

debris at a high rate.

(12) Avoid splicing a broken computer (a)

magnetic tape unless it is necessary in order to recover

information in the split region.

(b)

(c)

(13) Secure the tape leader with a (a)

sponge rubber grommet or vinyl

strip before replacing it in its

canister or wrap-around.

(14) Avoid high speed rewind on any (a)

tape which is scheduled to be

stored in an inactive status for

any period of time.

After data recovery or recopying,

either discard or cut the tape so as to remove the spliced region. Retain

those lengths which are deemed to be

applicable for continued use. Apply BOT-EOT-"^ reflective markers as required on the useful segments.

Check and update the reel label.

This also applies to self-loading tape

cartridges which are being shipped or going into long-term storage. Make a notation on the reel that the grommet

or strip must be removed before

mounting the self-loading cartridge on

the drive after storage or shipping.

High speed rewind tends to produce uneven tensions and looser packs with

a greater tendency for producing

protruding layers. These looser packs

are susceptible to edge damage and

cinching under acceleration or deceleration. One causal mechanism is the lower layer- to-layer winding

pressures which are caused by air

entrapment during high speed winding.

Tests have shown that interlayer

trapped air in instrumentation tapes can be eliminated through the use of a packing roller which permits tight tape

packing even at high winding

speeds [22].

^See list of symbols and abbreviations in section 9.

11
1.2 Computer Tape Physical

Handling Recommendations

(15) Do not place any permanent

magriet or other source of a magnetic field into direct contact

with a recorded reel of magnetic

tape [l3].

(16) Return all tapes to the library or

archives as soon as possible after

the completion of their run.

(17) Don't store or leave magnetic

tapes mounted on tape transports

which are turned off or are out of

use.

(18) Never stack the computer tapes

horizontally, always store them in a vertical (on edge) position.

Never stand a tape vertically

directly on its flanges; it must

be enclosed in a canister or hung

in a wrap-around.

(19) Each tape should be properly

labeled either with an adhesive

label or a record card holder in

its front flange.

Remarks

(b) Slow speed rewind can also be

performed on a tape cleaner with good

wind-rewind and tensioning

characteristics.

(a) See sections 1.11 and 1.12 for a detailed discussion of this problem.

The effects of many different types of

energy fields and equipments such as x-ray, radar, nuclear, pressure,

temperature, airport metal detectors,

etc., are discussed in sections 1.9 and

1.10. Keep aU permanent magnets at

least 76 mm (3.0 in) away from

recorded tapes.

(a) This enhances orderly bookkeeping

procedures and diminishes the potential

for the misplacement or the loss of

tapes.

(b) This also minimizes the potential for

adverse environmental effects on the

media.

(a) This can cause tape misplacement or

loss, and there is potential for

damaging the tapes when the transport

is reactivated.

(a) Horizontally stacked tapes can put

pressure on the edge tracks of

protruding layers.

(b) Use small mobile carts with vertical

tape slot accommodations to both hold

and transport tapes between the library

and computer center.

(c) Horizontally stored tape packs can

begin to separate if they were wound

under a low tension.

(a) These labels should be applied before

the write pass and should have the

following (optional) type of

information:

. Date of write pass.

. Serial and file number (also entered

in a tape history log book)

. Recording density and mode.

. Current contents.

12
1.2 Computer Tape Physical

Handling Recommendations

Remarks

. Current condition.

. Manufacturer identification.

(b) There are specialized labels which will

assist with an organized tape cleaning

and evaluation program. These labels,

in addition to most of the items in (a)

above, have boxes for checking off each

time the tape is used and cleaned, date

of first use, and disposition of tape

after evaluation.

(c) Also see section 4. for labeling

conditions when some Tape

Management Systems (TMS) are used.

(20) New tapes should be given a full

length, slow speed wind-rewind

pass before the first use.

(a) Make certain that the transport is adjusted for proper winding tension.

(b) Alternately, it is recommended that

this first pass be performed on a tape

cleaner (see sec. 3.2.1).

(21) Each reel of tape should be

inspected visually before use, particularly if it is being assigned

to long-term archival service.

Also inspect for the applicable

conditions in section 3.3.2.

Inspect the tape pack and reel for:

(a) Folded over tape layers: this is called

cinching and can be caused by low

or irregular winding tension regions in

the tape pack which slip upon tape

acceleration and deceleration.

(b) Curled or wavy irregular tape edges:

this edge distortion or damage can be

caused by a stretched tape edge or a long scratch along the edge.

(c) A non-circular tape pack shape: this is referred to as buckling or spoking.

Buckling results in a non-symmetrical

tape pack; spoking results in a polygon-shaped pack. Both shapes can

be caused by a loose pack which is sometimes due to temperature induced

hub contraction, or to low tape winding

tensions. The hub contraction effect can be minimized by using hub material

such as aluminum whose thermal

coefficient of expansion is similar to

that of the tape pack material itself

(see sec. 7.4).

(d) Scattered tape windings with protruding

tape layers: this can be caused by

poorly slit tapes or by misadjusted or poorly designed tape transport

mechanisms; it also results from high

speed rewind operations.

13
1.2 Computer Tape Physical

Handling Recommendations

Remarks

(e) Cupped tape: this is a tape which is not

flat transversely from edge- to- edge.

Cupping can be caused by different

hygroscopic and thermal coefficients of

expansion between the coating and the

base materials.

(f) An elevated bump or ridge on the

outermost surface of the tape pack as observed between the flanges of a

vertically oriented reel of tape: this can be caused by a longitudinal scratch

along a long length of the tape surface.

The scratch is usually caused by a burr on a guide or head surface.

(g) Blocked tape: this is layer- to- layer

adhesion which is caused by long term

storage of the tape in an extreme

temperature environment. Blocking can cause delamination or tape coating

puU off. Blocking wiU manifest itself

in the form of erratic tape motion and

gross errors in the delaminated regions

(see sec. 3.1).

(h) Loose debris: this may consist of

coating particles or shreds of edge

slittings. This is usually due to

defective binders, poor manufacturing

control or inspection methods, and to

defective or burred components in the

tape path.

(i) Unusual tape discolorations caused by

changes or deterioration in the binder

chemistry.

(j) Cracked, chipped, bent, split, warped,

or otherwise mechanically defective

reels.

(k) Distortion defects such as cinching,

spoking, and scattered windings without

permanent damage, can sometimes be

corrected by several full length, slow

speed winding-rewinding cycles,

followed by relaxation in the proper

T-H environment for approximately 24

hours. In more difficult cases,

particularly for recorded tapes with

valuable data, perform the suggested

operations in section 1.2 -(23). In the case of ridged, blocked, scratched, or discolored tapes: recorded tapes should

be recopied if possible and unrecorded

14
1.2 Computer Tape Physical

Handlir^ Recommendations

Remarks

(22)

(23)

Never place a recorded tape into

long term storage which has not

been given a full length, slow

speed, wind-rewind pass prior to

storage. Make sure that the drive

is adjusted to produce proper

winding tensions and smooth tape

packs.

Immediately check and recopy any

recorded tape which appears

physically or chemically damaged

(i.e., creased, cinched, distorted

edges, skewed, discolored, etc.).

tapes should be discarded or stripped.

Contaminated tapes can be cleaned,

rewound, and relaxed before using; if the tapes are new, contact the vendor

and request replacement tapes.

(a) It has been found that tapes which

have not been run over their full length

(due to file positioning) will be prone

to cinching when accelerated or decelerated after storage. This is caused by the tension differentials

which develop in the wound tape pack

due to the partial passes over the file areas.

(b) Normal winding tension prior to storage

is generally given as 1.7 N (6 ozf) to

2.2 N (8 ozf). Excessive tension causes tape stretching and curvature while

very low tension causes winding

separation and tape folding (cinching).

These deleterious effects become

apparent on the initial runs after

long-term storage.

(a) Although complete recopying may be

difficult, it is mandatory to attempt

to read the tape as soon as possible

after the defect is noted.

(b) In difficult data recovery cases in

which backup tape data does not exist,

the following may be attempted:

(1) Relax the tape for 24 hours in the

operating environment after

winding and rewinding it over its

full length several times at slow

speeds.

(2) Try to recopy the data onto new

reels. If unsuccessful:

. Try adjusting the system

electronics to improve the

reproduced signal levels

(readjust back to normal after

completion).

. Try to read on different

computer tape transports.

. In some cases, balky tapes can

be read successfully in reverse.

^Stripping is the process of excising the defective portion of a tape (usually the initial

footage).

15
1.2 Computer Tape Physical

Handling Recommendations

Remarks

(24) As a rule, avoid the application (a)

of external pressure against the

physical tape-head- interface as a means for recovering data

through improved head- to- tape

contact.

(b)

(25) Degauss (i.e., demagnetize) the (a)

read/ write heads and other

magnetizable metal components

such as rollers, capstans, and

guides on a scheduled basis.

(26) Initiate an operator training (a)

program.*^

(27) Make certain that there is at (a)

least one person on-site who is responsible for the activities of

the operators and for adherence

to all of the recommended (b)

principles in section 1.

. If tape curvature is causing read

skew error, try 10-15 full

straightening passes on the tape

drive to reduce curvature before

reading again.

(3) If the data is sufficiently valuable,

try the following item (24) only over the defective portion of the

tape as it is being read. This may

be useful for a cupped, cinched, or edge distorted tape.

Excessive external pressure increases

tape and head wear as well as the

production of debris. However, this

process may be attempted sparingly if the data is deemed to be of sufficient

value. Application of this pressure

when the tape is in a constant retry

mode over a small area can result in

the serious shedding of tape coating.

A clean, soft, non-shedding material

wrapped on a slender rod is recommended, rather than direct finger

pressure which may produce

unnecessary contaminants in the

system.

See Magnetic Field Recommendations

section 1.12-(5).

Extracts from this and other referenced

publications may be a useful source of

training information.

This individual should be technically

oriented and should have the backing of

upper management for any personnel

decisions that are made.

This individual should be capable of

analyzing the causes for media

problems and initiating immediate

"^This includes training for computer tape librarians who also handle the media on a daUy basis. There are computer librarian^ development workshops which offer

appropriate courses for these personnel.

16
1.2 Computer Tape Physical

Handling Recommendations

(28) (Optional) Monitor the condition

of the tape library or archive by

installing control tapes into

storage along with the regular

tapes. This will assist with the

detection of data and/or media

deterioration which has been

caused by the loss of system or media quality or environmental

controls (see sec. 2.1.2-(3)).

(29) (Optional) Institute diagnostic

programs such as peripheral test sequences.

(30) (Optional) Initiate a scheduled

tape maintenance program.

(31) (Optional) Initiate error logging

software programs which provide an analysis of the tape errors.

(32) (Optional) Institute a Tape

Management System (TMS).

Remarks

corrective action. This person should

maintain a schedule for inspections,

cleaning, repair, and replacement of

system components as required.

(a) These control tapes should be recorded

with a test signal at the same density

and on the same system as the stored

tapes. They should then be inspected on a scheduled basis for physical

condition and data errors.

(b) The number and type of control tapes are based on:

. The size and the importance of the

files and records.

. The number of stored tapes

emanating from individual

manufacturing sources.

. The known history of particular tapes

in storage.

Note: It is suggested by some sources that

testing a 3% random sample drawn from a

large file is a good statistical indicator of

the condition of the total file. (See sec.

2.1.2-(4)(d).)

(a) These programs assist the technical

personnel with a means for determining

the source of media problems in the

computer system.

(a) See section 3.

(a) In lieu of off-line evaluation of tapes

(see sec. 3.2.3), these error logging

software programs permit tapes to be

evaluated on the actual system prior to or during their application. For

example, one such program gives (see sec. 4.4):

. Location of tape errors.

. Length of tape errors.

. Total retries per tape.

. Which tape should be cleaned,

discarded, or stripped.

(a) These software systems encompass

numerous functions beyond those in

item (31) above (see sec. 4.).

17
1.2 Computer Tape Physical

Handling Recommendations

(33) (Optional) If necessary, use a commercial tape repository for

storing important backup

tapes.

Remarks

(a) Before using any repository, request

the following information:

. The temperature and humidity ranges

which are maintained in the storage areas (see sec. 1.4).

. The level of cleanness and how it is achieved and maintained (see sees.

1.3 and 5.).

. Is there positive air pressure?

. Are there precipitrons?

. The fire, water, and magnetic field

security measures (see sees. 1.7, 1.8,

and 1.12).

. Are there individual tape vaults or safes available for additional security

within the repository (see sees. 1.7

and 1.12)?

. The accessibility of the stored tapes

by unauthorized personnel, including

other subscribers to repository space.

Does each subscriber have separately secure areas?

. What are the security screening

measures for persons entering the

repository area?

. Are the stored tapes accessible upon

demand?

. Is there a 24 hour guard system?

Electronic, human, or both?

18
1.3 Clean Handlii^ Recommendaticms^

(1) Minimize finger contact with

computer magnetic tapes.

(2) Keep hands clean in order to

reduce normal skin oils. The use

of lint-free (nylon gloves) is highly recommended.

(3) Never allow the end of the tape to touch an unclean surface such as the floor.

(4) Never smoke, eat, or drink in the

computer room or the tape library.

(5) Do not bring dirty or dust covered

objects or equipment into the

computer room or tape library.

(6) Do not remove the computer tape

from its canister or wrap-around

until it is ready to be mounted

on the transport. Do not use wrap

arounds with reels that have open

apertures (windows) in their flanges

particularly for long-term storage.

Remarks

(a) Fingers are a source of tape

contamination. Fingerprints on either

surface of the tape will eventually cause contamination of both sides.

(a) Oils will trap dust and other

environmental contaminants such as

lint onto the tape surface; these

eventually produce tape errors (see sec.

3.1).

(a) This will contaminate the tape and

spread the dirt onto transport guide

components and the read/ write heads.

(a) Interestingly, a speck of dust on the

tape which is only 12.5(xm (500 ^in) in

diameter can cause a 70% loss of signal

level at 32 bpmm (800 bpi). Assigning a smoking area anywhere in a computer

room containing tape drives is bad

policy, since tape in motion produces

electrostatic fields which will attract

airborne smoke particles. The

detrimental effects of eating and

drinking in the computer room are

self-evident.

(a) As a basic rule, do not perform any

operation which produces or spreads

debris in the vicinity of the tapes.

(a) The canister and wrap-around can be

made to provide the cleanest

environment that the tapes will

experience at any time during their

normal lifetime. Open windows or apertures in the flanges circumvent the

effective dirt sealing effect of the

wrap-arounds. Keep canisters closed

after removing or replacing the tape.

^Also see section 5. for a comprehensive discussion of clean room standards, types,

and operational guidelines.
TABLE 1. CANDIDATE CLEANING SOLVENTS

CLEANING SOLVENT

1. Freon TG

2. Xylene

3. Isopropyl Alcohol

4. Methyl Alcohol (Methanol)

(a

(b

(c

(d

(a

(b

(c

(d

(a

(b

(c

(d

(a

(b

(c

(d

CHARACTERISTICS

Does not adversely affect

polycarbonates, plastics, or neoprene.

Cuts oil and grease.

Has fastest rate of evaporation of

the cleaners surveyed.

Non-flammable, low toxicity.

Damages polycarbonates and

acrylics; doesn't harm neoprene.

Cuts grease and oil very well.

Slow evaporation rate.

Extremely flammable and highly

toxic.

Doesn't harm polycarbonates,

acrylics, or neoprene.

Has limited capability to cut oil and

grease.

Slow evaporation rate.

Flammable.

Doesn't harm polycarbonates,

acrylics, or neoprene.

Limited capability to cut grease and

oil.

Fast evaporation rate.

Flammable.

NOTE: Solvents should not come in contact with the tape because, among other

thir^, they may soften the coating and cause shedding. (Table courtesy reference

[15].)

20
1.3 Clean Handling Recommendations

(7) Always replace the computer (a)

tape into their canisters or wrap-arounds immediately after

they are demounted from the

transports. If possible, seal

tapes in polyethylene bags

particularly prior to shipping or long-term tape storage (see sec.

2.1.1-(3)).

(8) Always inspect empty reels, (a)

canisters, and wrap-arounds

for cleanliness before using them

with a computer tape; clean if necessary.

(9) Do not place or store computer (a)

tapes on the top of a transport

since this exposes them to heat and

dust from the blowers; this also

affects the cooling of the unit.

Also, don't store a tape in direct

sunlight.

(10) Use reel identification labels (a)

with adhesive backings which do

not leave a residue and can be

removed easily. Never erase a label—replace it.

(11) Never use graphite pencils or (a)

water soluble felt tip pens on

labels.

(12) Check transport for debris (a)

regularly. Clean tape transport

components such as guides,

vacuum chambers, capstans, and

read/write heads regularly and

frequently; clean heads typically

after each eight to ten tape

mountings and the entire system (b) once per shift. Clean with

lint- free pads and permit parts

to dry thoroughly before mounting

the next tape.

Remarks

Note that the polyethylene bags

prevent the loss of coating lubricants

through evaporation. This not only

assures tape cleanliness but also

provides for physical security of the

tape reel.

See section 1.3-(6).

The effects of temperature and

humidity on a reel of tape are discussed

in section 7. Large variations in temperature can produce considerable

changes in reel and hub pressure; this can result in serious tape pack damage.

High humidity can cause coating

deterioration due to hydrolysis. (See

sees. 2.2.1 and 7.1.)

See section 1.3-(5).

Graphite pencils produce debris and the

reel identification markings written

with water soluble pens can be lost in case of water damage. In fact, avoid

erasable marking devices.

This reduces the spread of tape debris

products and self-contamination.

The read/ write heads will both collect

and act as reservoirs for tape debris

which eventually will be permanently

redeposited and fused into the tape

surface (see sec. 3.1).

Table 1. is a guide to transport

cleaning chemicals. The cleaning of

both equipment and tape should be a formal task which is specifically

assigned and scheduled and not

performed randomly (see sec. 1.2-(27)).

21
1.3 Clean Handlii^ Recommendations Remarks

(13) In operational facilities with

with positive air pressure, always

place the operating tape drives

into high pressure locations, and

debris producing equipment into

low pressure areas.

Do not run tapes on equipment which

have not been cleaned as indicated;

clean immediately if excess debris is found (see sec. 1.17).

(a) Moving the printers, readers, card

punches, and other debris sources downstream from the operating tape

transports reduces tape contamination.

It also places the drives upstream from

any external dirt sources which may

attempt to infiltrate the operating

ai*ea.

(14) Unpack or store the minimum

amount of required paper stock,

cardboard, or other shedding

materials in the computer room.

Also, store these items in the

low pressure area of the room.

(15) Store tapes which are waiting to

be mounted or returned to the

library or archives in the high

pressure area of the computer

room.

(16) Do not store tapes close to the

floor.

(a) These items tend to shed debris (see sec. 1.3-(13)).

(a) Do this particularly if there are

high levels of paper dust in the

installation.

(b) Always store these tapes in a vertical

position (see sec. 1.2 -(18)). Horizontal

positioning increases the contamination

of the tape by airborne particles,

particularly if there are open reel

flange windows.

(a) See section 1.3-(5).

(17) Wear lint-free smocks or overalls

made of materials such as nylon.

(18) Do not wax floors or use steel

wool pads on a buffer machine.

(a) It has been noted that personnel in

computer installations which formally

institute clean modes of operation will

tend to perform higher quality work and

display more pride in their job and

organization (see sec. 5.).

(a) The wax is abraded by normal foot

traffic and produces debris.

Steel wool particles can cause

considerable damage in a computer

environment.

22
1.3 Clean Handling Recommendations

(19) Exhaust vacuum cleaners into

special wall receptacles or out of

the computer area. Do not use dry mops, dusters, or brushes for

cleaning. Damp mopping is recommended.

Remarks

(a) There are specialized, portable dual

filtration vacuum cleaners which are claimed to permit the exhaustion of

only the cleanest possible air within the

computer room [l2]. Filtration

equipment in the air conditioning units

also assists with airborne dust removal

(see sec. 5.).

(20) The shelves, floors, equipment

tops, and any other surfaces

which are capable of holding dust

should be cleaned periodically.

(21) Clean the dust off of the reel (a)

flanges before removing the

wrap-arounds especially after

long-term storage.

(22) Keep tape transport windows (a)

closed while operating.

(23) See section 5. for a listing of (a)

clean room standards and

cleanliness guidelines for various

types of clean rooms.

This is a disadvantage of the wraparound as compared to the fully

enclosed canister, although the narrower size of a wrap-around offers a space advantage.

Open windows permit dust to enter the

tape path; this is particularly enhanced

by electrostatic forces created by the

moving tape (see sec. 1.10 -(11)).

These include:

. General guidelines for all types

of clean rooms and clean work

stations. See section 5.3.

. Guidelines for nonlaminar airflow

clean rooms and clean worl< stations.

See section 5.4.

. Guidelines for laminar airflow clean

rooms and clean work stations. See

section 5.5.

23
1.4 Environmental Recommendations

(1) Maintain the operating, storage, (a)

and test areas for computer

magnetic tapes at the following

recommended temperatures,

relative humidities, and maximum

wet bulb temperatures. These

conditions were tabulated from (b)

company specifications and

national and international

standards organization documents.

The values in items (l)(a), (l)(b),

and (l)(c) appeared in the

majority of sources:

(c)

(2) An alternate experimentally (a)

derived storage T-H

recommendation has been

presented in the small sample

case study for long-term storage (b) as follows (see sec. 2.2.1):

Remarks

Operating Areas (Recorded Tapes):

. Temperature range: 160C-320C

(60OF-90OF)

. Relative Humidity Range: 20%-80%

. Maximum Wet Bulb Temperature: 26^0

(780F)

Storage Areas (Recorded Tapes):

. Temperature range: 50C-320C

(40OF-90OF)

. Relative Humidity Range: 20%-80%

. Maximum Wet Bulb Temperature: 260C

(780F)

(Unrecorded Tapes)

. Temperature range: 50C-480C

(40OF-120OF)

. Relative Humidity Range: 20%-80%

. Maximum Wet Bulb Temperature: 260C

(780F)

Test Areas:

. Temperature range: 2l0C-250C

(70OF-77OF)

. Relative Humidity Range: 40%-60%

Note: Test the tapes after a 24 hour

conditioning period in the test facility.

Storage Area (Recorded Tapes):

. Temperature range: 17OC-20OC

(620F-680F)

. Relative Humidity Range: 35%-45%

Optimum Recommended Storage Vault

Values :

. Temperature: 180C (GS^F)

. Relative Humidity: 40%

Note: See sections 2.1 and 2.2 which deal

with long term storage activities in

detail.

The maintenance of a constant (a)

T-H environment within the given

specification is extremely

important. Temperature and

humidity cycling cause large,

deleterious stresses in the reel

of tape.

Damaging stresses in the tape pack can

be produced by large T-H variations even if they remain almost within the

specified ranges. For example, tape

problems can occur if stored tapes are subjected for a long period of time in an environment in which the temperature

cycles between 12.8^0 (SS^F) and 350C

(95°F) or the humidity cycles between

10% and 50% [6], Excessive temperature

and humidity conditions can also cause

tape layer- to-layer adhesion (blocking) even if they are maintained constant.

Extremely dry environments can cause

24
Environmental Recommendations Remarks

Do not produce heat or water (a)

vapor in the computer room

operating area or tape library

by using hot water heaters in these locations. Use an external area for these cooking purposes.

The coatings on tapes which have (a)

been subjected to very high

humidities can breakdown and

become gummy due to hydrolysis.

layer-to-layer adhesion due to static

buildup. Torn windings in the middle of a pack is a sure sign that the tape has been

subjected to an extreme environment.

This activity can affect the temperature

and humidity in these areas. As

previously noted, T-H variations are a

principal cause of tape problems.

This coating deterioration can be

reversed by storing the tapes in a cool

and dry environment for an extended

period of time (see sees. 2.2.1, 7.1, and

fig. 3.).

25
1.5 Transportation Recommendations

(1) The following are the

recommended T-H ranges for

tapes during transit.

(2) There are a number of potential

hazards which can be encountered

during the transportation of

computer tapes.

(3) There are preventative measures

which reduce the shipping

hazards.

9

Remarks

(a) Temperature range: 40C-320C

(40OF-90OF)

Relative humidity range: 20%-80%

These hazards include:

(a) Dirt and water damage.

(b) Impact and vibration damage which

can loosen the tape pack.

(c) Extreme and uncontrolled temperatures

and humidities. These are difficult to

control in transit. Procedures given in

section 1.5-(4) should be followed upon

receipt.

(d) Stray magnetic fields. Try to maintain

a spacing of approximately 76 mm

(3.0 in) between the tape reel and the

sides of the shipping container.

These measures include:

(a) Proper final tape winding tensions

before shipping.

(b) The use of sealed, clean, water-tight,

crushproof shipping containers lined

with shock absorbent materials.

(c) Securing the free end of the tape (see

sec. 1.2-(13)).

(d) Enclosing the canisters in polyethylene

bags.

(e) Using proper container markings

indicating both fragile media and

vertical orientation.

(f) Using specialized tape carrying cases which supply aU of the necessary safety

features and which are designed for

transportation by the individual

traveler [l2]. These light cases have

rugged outer sheUs, internal foam

padding, tight sealing against moisture

and debris. However, extra care must

be taken for vital tape records since

these cases normally do not have the

90ne of the largest tape user agencies in the Federal Government (Social Security

Administration) used a unique type of packaging for moving their extremely large tape

library over a short distance from their original installation to a new one. They used

hundreds of large portable coolers as packaging devices. These successfully provided

the tapes with clean short-term physical protection, temperature and humidity

control, and a waterproofed environment. Each cooler which held approximately 15 to

20 tapes, was reused many times during the move.

26
1.5 Transportation Recommendations Remarks

requisite interior to exterior tape

spacing against magnetic fields. A

ferromagnetic liner (shield) would be a valuable addition to this carrying case

(see [lO], sees. 1.12-(1) and 1.12-(2)).

(a) When a tape is moved from an external

environment to a computer room

environment, it should be acclimatized

in its plastic canister for up to 24

hours.

(b) One hour of acclimatization should be

allowed for each oc and each 5%

relative humidity (RH) difference

between the two environments.

(c) The temperature and humidity

acclimatizations run concurrently.

(d) Avoid a temperature change of lO^C or more.

(e) Avoid tape condensation by avoiding

temperature and humidity extremes.

(f) If a tape has beer? in an unknown

external environment for up to eight

hours, acclimatize the tape in the

computer room environment for at

least one hour longer than the known

external time period.

(g) Tapes which have been in an unknown

external environment for an unknown

period of time should remain in their

packing for 24 hours in the computer

room environment. The tapes should

then be unpacked and remain in their

canisters for an additional eight hours

in the computer room environment.

Finally, give each transported tape a

full wind-rewind pass at the proper

constant tension (typically 2.2 N

(8 ozf)) before using.

(4) The following recommendations

(a) through (g) give specific

guidelines for the handling of

tapes which have been transported

between two different T-H

environments [16]:

27
1.6 Effects of Extreme Environments on Computer Magnetic Media

Fire is one of the most destructive forces to which computer magnetic tapes can be

subjected. Generally, direct contact with open flames or an extremely hot

environment reduces the probability of data recovery to very close to zero. The

direct damaging effects of heat are primarily in the form of physical/chemical

media changes rather than magnetic data losses. Excessive heat affects the

mechanical integrity of the flexible media and the reels through the loss of

durability, warping, distortion, layer- to-layer adhesion (blocking), and binder

breakdown and softening. In addition, the binder chemistry will be altered due to

the volatile losses of binder components such as plasticizers.

Theoretically, gamma ferric oxide particles, which are the prevalent magnetic

constituents used in most magnetic storage media, are capable of retaining their

magnetization up to a temperature of approximately 6750C (1247°?); this

temperature is known as the Curie temperature. On the other hand, chromium

dioxide particles, Cr02 used in some audio and video tapes, have a Curie

temperature of approximately ISS^C (275*^F) and are therefore far more susceptible

to a heat related data loss. Tests were performed in order to determine the effects

of heat on the recorded magnetic information stored on tapes, cassettes, and plastic

credit cards [l3]. They were performed over a range of SS^C (lOO^F) to 1820C

(360OF). It was found that plastic digital cassette housings and credit cards began to

distort physically at approximately 93 OC (200OF) and could no longer be handled

properly by their drives. Two reels of computer magnetic tapes refused to load into

the tape transport after they had been subjected to IIQOC (230OF). The only

apparent physical change at this time was a loss of tape stiffness. At first, this

appeared to be a permanent condition since these tapes had not recovered after six

weeks in storage. However, after two months, they were able to be run again;

although the data could be recovered, the oxide appeared to be shedding badly. In such cases, the data should be recopied as soon as possible onto new tapes and the

shedding tapes discarded.

Every heat test which was performed was terminated due to the physical failure of

the media materials and housings rather than the loss of magnetic data. In one test, a recorded plastic credit card was constrained from warping by aluminum plates in

order to isolate the physical effects of heat from its magnetic effects. There was

no data loss observed after the card had been heated to 1820C (SeO^F) which was

the temperature limit of the experimental oven.

Theoretically, the magnetic oxide particles in the media will not lose any of their

magnetization at temperatures which are well below their Curie temperature.

However, the tapes may become stiff and moisture may condense upon them after

being subjected to very low temperatures. Recorded computer tapes which were

stored at -Sl^C (-SO^F) for 24 hours could be read without loss after being relaxed

(by careful, slow unwinding and rewinding) in the normal laboratory environment for one day.

Generally, tapes which have been subjected to extremely low temperatures for long

periods of time should be relaxed and dried if necessary for a number of days at

gradually increasing temperatures in order to relieve the stresses which developed

with time. The shrinking of the tape due to exposure to extreme cold can produce

28
layer- to- layer adhesion; this can cause tape tearing and surface coating damage in

portions of the reel.

If the tapes have been subjected to inundation by, or immersion in water, there is a high probability of data recovery so long as a high temperature environment did not

exist concurrently. The production of steam or very high humidity in the tape pack

can produce extreme pack pressures leading to significant tape damage. The

hygroscopic effects of the extreme humidity can also produce binder breakdown (see

sees. 2.2.1 and 7.1).

29
1.7 Fire Recommendations

(1) Avoid the storage of combustible

materials in a tape storage area.

(2) Avoid the use of open flame

producers, such as matches and

. lighters in a tape storage area. Smoking should be prohibited in

this area.

(3) Store vital magnetic tapes in

tightly closed metal or plastic

containers.

(4) Areas in which computer tapes

are stored should always be

designed with protection against

fire as a major consideration.

(5) Maximum security for vital

recqrds can be achieved through

the use of specialized

heat-humidity resistant

magnetic computer tape vaults

or safes [lO],[ll].

Remarks

(a) Minimize the storage of paper, wood,

cleaning fluids, etc., in this area. Keep

the area orderly, clean, and

unencumbered so that the spread of a

fire is slowed and fire fighting can be

performed efficiently.

(a) A live cigarette ash which lands on

a tape surface can cause instant tape

damage and data losses.

(a) Tightly closed metal or plastic

containers offer short-term protection

against flames and steam. Metal

containers are preferable since they

will not warp.

These considerations must include:

(a) The overall type of building and room

construction; i.e., wood or metal

frames, metal shelving and walls, etc.

(b) The combustibility of adjacent or surrounding areas due to their

construction or their internal contents

such as flammable chemicals, etc.

(c) The security measures which can be

designed into the tape storage area;

i.e., sprinkler systems, extinguisher

systems, smoke detectors, and on-site

guard personnel, etc.

(d) Fire department distance and

accessibility.

(a) Typically, these vaults are designed to

maintain their internal

temperature-humidity ranges below

65.50C (150OF) and 85% RH for

periods up to four hours, two hours, or one hour.

(b) The decision for the vault type is based

on items 4(a) to 4(d) above:

. For example, a four-hour vault should

be used in a building with poor fire

resistance, with many nearby

combustible areas, few security

devices, and a geographical location

which is distant from the nearest

firehouse, say in excess of ten minutes.

30
1.7 Fire Recommendations

(6) Proper installation of fire and (a)

smoke detection/suppression

systems can provide an important

margin of safety for the

personnel, the installation,

the tape library, and archives

[2],[23].

(7) Carbon dioxide (CO2), Halon, (a)

and water can be used for direct

fire fighting in a computer tape

installation.

(8) Store duplicate copies of vital (a)

tapes in alternate locations.

(9) Properly wound tapes offer more (a)

resistance to fire and water

damage.

Remarks

. A one-hour vault would be effective

when placed in a fire resistant building

with limited combustible materials or areas nearby, with a full security

environment; i.e., sprinklers, smoke

detectors, Halon systems, on-site

guard personnel, and a fire department

facility nearby and easy site

accessibility.

These systems can (and should)

provide:

. Early detection capability through

proper placement.

. Complete area coverage; this may

include under floor and above ceiling

coverage, as well as inside equipment,

when feasible.

. Air conditioner fan shutdown or system

switch to a smoke venting mode of

operation.

. Strong, audible local signals, and

remote off-site alarm signals if the

installation is unattended.

. Automatic computer shutdown

capability.

. Activation of automatic fire

extinguishing equipment.

CO2 and Halon are clean and do not

leave a residue. Tapes which have been

made wet with sprinklers or hose water

should be treated as outlined in the

Water Recommendations section 1.8.

These duplicate or backup tapes should

be produced and transferred off-site as quickly as possible. Set up a firm

schedule for this operation. (Also see

sec. 1.2-(33).)

A loosely or unevenly wound tape will

allow more water to seep between

windings and cause tape cupping and

other distortions.

Magnetic tape is a poor heat conductor;

therefore, a properly wound reel with a very smooth pack has a better survival

potential after being subjected to a heat environment than a loose pack.

b)

31
1.7 Fire Recommendations Remarks

Serious damage such as layer- to- layer

adhesion and coating breakdown can

occur if a combination of water and

heat produces steam and high humidity

in the tape pack. Temperature and

humidities in excess of 65.50C (ISQOF)

and 85% RH can cause media damage

to occur. Note vault T-H

characteristics in section 1.7-(5).

(10) If recorded computer tapes have

been subjected to fire and heat,

try the following:

(a) Separate out those reels of tape which

appear to have sustained the least

amount of physical fire or heat damage

as soon as possible.

(b) Clean all fire debris, fly ash, and smoke

residue from their canisters,

wrap-arounds, and flange surfaces. Do

this before opening the canisters or wrap-arounds.

(c) Use the slowest speed transport

available to perform at least two fuU

wind-rewind passes. Instrumentation

tape recorders which run at 0.762 m/s

(30 in/s) and which can accommodate

12.7 mm (0.5 in) computer tapes are a good choice. Inspect the tapes as they

are being wound. If they are badly

warped or display layer- to- layer

adhesion which is damaging the coating,

or are shedding significant amounts of

coating debris, the chances for data

recovery are poor. Clean the transport

after each tape is run.

(d) Give the promising tapes two full

cleaning passes on a tape

cleaner/winder (preferably constant

tension type). Rewind the tapes onto

clean or new reels and make new labels.

(e) Relax these rewound and cleaned tapes

for 24 to 48 hours in the normal

operating environment (see sec. 1.4).

(f ) Perform a read (and recopying) pass

(see sec. 1.2-(23)). If the tapes will not

load onto the transport at this time,

store them in a low humidity

environment and retry at intervals.

(g) Repeat item (a) above for next least

damaged group of tapes.

32
1.7 Fire Recommendations Remarks

(11) When a reel of tape is subjected

to high temperatures, it is advantageous to use reel hub

materials which have the same

thermal coefficient of expansion

as the tape pack materials [is].

(a) Aluminum is an example of such a hub

material. Equal expansion or contraction reduces the increases or decreases in tape pack pressure with

changes in temperature.

33
1.8 Water Recommendations

(1) In the aftermath of water (a)

inundation of the tape area,

quickly separate the wet and dry

tapes. Also separate the vital

records from the less important

ones [l7].

(2) Check all wet tape labels and (a

make sure that they are legible. (b

(c

(3) Begin a general drying of the (a

entire storage area, including

shelves, floors, canisters, safes,

and vaults.

(b

(c

(d

(4) The tape drying process should (a

begin immediately.

(c

(d)

Remarks

This will organize the salvage

operation and permit a more rapid

media recovery. If possible, move

either the wet or dry tapes out of the

storage area; shift whichever group

consists of a smaller number of tapes.

Move aU tapes quickly out of standing

water areas. Note: Beware of live

electrical power sources during these

activities!

Replace or make existing labels legible.

Do not paste new label over the wet

original.

If the library is under a Tape Management

Systems control, see section 4.

Standing water may continue to

inundate the tapes particularly if the

water has entered a closed tape safe or

vault; dry these areas immediately.

Quickly open, check, and drain any

water which may have entered the tape

canisters.

Tape reel hubs are often capable of

trapping and holding water; check for

this; shake and rotate reel to empty

this water.

Use wet-dry vacuum cleaners to absorb

aU standing water wherever accessible.

Do not replace wet tapes into their

canisters; this allows the air drying

process to begin.

Hand dry all external wet surfaces

which are accessible.

Do not force dry the wet tape pack

with a heated airflow; this can cause

high internal humidity which can lead

to binder damage and layer- to-layer

adhesion.

Gently, separate the reel flanges with

spacers such as rubber grommets to

allow airflow through the tape

pack-flange interface. This wiU reduce

the probability of tape-to-flange sticking

damage when the tapes are first run. It will also permit additional water runoff

from the vertically standing tapes.

34
1.8 Water Recommendations Remarks

(e) If possible, maintain a forced, room

temperature airflow through this

tape-to-reel configuration.

(5) The most effective drying phase (a)

begins when the individual tapes are run reel-to-reel on a device

such as a tape cleaner or winder

(see sec. 3.2.1).

(6) Try data recovery methods even

after a period of total water

immersion.lO

Never attempt to run wet tape on a

regular tape drive. The tape will not

perform correctly in the vacuum

columns and there is a strong possibility

that the wet tape will adhere to the

column walls or onto the capstan with

ensuing tape tearing or other damage.

Run over cleaning tissues only, not over

the blades.

(a) The following process successfully

reactivated recorded tapes which were

totally submerged for 12 hours in unclean

river water:! 1

(1) After all accessible surfaces were

hand dried as described in section

1.8-(4), the tapes were stored in

the normally recommended

temperature-humidity environment

(see sec. 1.4) for 48 hours.

(2) The tapes were then run for six or seven passes on a tape dry cleaner

unit over tissue cleaners only. (3) When tapes were reasonably dried,

then two cleaning passes were

performed over tissues and cleaning

blades.

(4) The tapes were then immediately

read and recopied onto new reels.

NOTE: Binder degradation due to the water

absorption was not yet apparent at this

time, although the potential for this to occur

eventually was considered to be a cause for concern. Therefore, recopying was considered

to be important by the company. It was

further noted that an ideal cleaning-drying

unit for this river submersion (or any dirty

water submersion) event would have been a tape cleaner which used a wet cleaning

process. A number of tapes which had been

submerged in salt water for a period of time

were also successfully reactivated. The

same recovery process was applied.

10 Apply the recommendations in sections 1.8-(6) and 1.8-(7) after completion of all prior steps for all wet tape cases. llPerformed by General Kinetics, Inc. 35
Water Recommendations Remarks

The processes described in

section 1.8-(6) are directly

applicable to tapes which have

been subjected to either clean

or dirty water inundation.

Avoid placing the tape racks,

safes, and vaults in the lowest

geographical locations. Locate

the computer tape repository at a floor level which reduces the

potential for flooding while

allowing for effective fire

fighting.

Have plastic sheets available to

throw over the tape racks, disk

packs, and equipment in the case

of a fire threat in which water

will be applied by hoses or sprinkler systems.

(b) In the case of short-time clean water

inundation, it is probably sufficient to

replace only the key tapes. Information

relative to the long-term hygroscopic

effect (see sec. 7.1) on the binders of

previously fully submerged tapes is not

presently available to the author.

(a) For clean water inundation, the two

blade cleaning passes of item (6)(a)-(3)

may be omitted.

(a) Areas such as basements have the

greatest flood potential.

(b) Keep the lowest tape shelves at least one foot above the floor in low

locations. This is advantageous for

both cleanliness and protection from

water damage.

(a) When checking the fire fighting

equipment, make sure to check the

location and condition of these plastic

sheets.

36
1.9 Effects of Magnetic Fields on Recorded Magnetic Media

An uncontrolled environment may consist of what a top administrator in one of the

largest Federal tape user agencies described as "walking a couple of thousand

(computer) tapes a day back and forth between two buildings." It may also consist

of a passage of recorded computer tapes through modern airport terminals or environmentally uncontrolled warehouses, vehicles, and other storage and work

areas. The potential for tape data erasure while in airports, has been of particular concern because of the magnetic fields in the anti-hijacking-metal detection

devices, the airport radar signal fields, and the x-ray energy in the surveillance

equipment at the entry check points.

The information in sections 1.10, 1.11, and 1.12 has been derived from tests in which

recorded computer magnetic tapes, cartridges, cassettes, and credit cards were

subjected to various types of fields [13].

These tests showed that magnetic field energy was capable of causing subtle and

serious data erasure on computer magnetic tapes, cartridges, cassettes, flexible

disks, and credit cards with no observable, physical deterioration of the media itself.

The erasing potential of magnetic fields is expected since aU recording, erasing, and

overwriting processes on the aforementioned computer magnetic media are performed by these fields.

If a magnetic field is of sufficient intensity to completely erase recorded data, it win do so almost instantaneously (i.e., in approximately 10"^ s). Conversely, if a magnetic field is of insufficient magnitude to completely erase the data, it will not

do so no matter how long the recorded media is in the field.

To completely erase a recorded signal, it is necessary for the strength of the erasing

field to be greater in value than the coercivity of the medium. The coercivity of

magnetic media is that quality of the media, rated in amperes per meter (oersteds)

which enables it to resist erasure of its recorded data. Typical coercivity values for

present day computer magnetic tapes range from 22,000 A/m (270 Oe) to

30,000 A/m (375 Oe). Coercivities on the order of 48,000 A/m (600 Oe) are being

produced in the new high energy tapes. For example, a magnetic field strength of

4,000 A/m (50 Oe) was found to decrease the level of a recorded tape signal by

approximately 2% below its original level (see fig. 2.). Computer tape data is typically not lost until its level has been decreased to 50% to 65% below its original

signal level, dependent upon the system (i.e., NRZI or PE recording). Under some

conditions, 246 bpmm (6250 bpi) (GCR recording) will not lose data even for greater

signal level losses than the preceding systems. It is of interest to note that the

earth's magnetic field strength is approximately 40 A/m (0.5 Oe).

It was found that large, portable, and concealable permanent magnets were unable

to erase any data from recorded computer magnetic tapes at a distance greater than

76 mm (3.0 in). However, a typical small office bar magnet caused a loss of signal

level when it was placed into direct contact with the side of the tape reel flange.

As expected, the loss was greatest on the edge tracks which are closest to the

magnet.

Magnetic fields produced by alternating current flowing through the windings of a motor, generator, or transformer have the same tape erasure capability as those of

37
equal strength produced by a permanent magnet. However, tests showed that so long as these units were properly encased in their typical magnetic shielding

materials they produced no data losses on tapes placed in direct contact with the

cases (see sec. 1.11, Question 6).

Figures 1. and 2. (reference [l3]) show the erasing effects on the recorded signal

level on a computer tape caused by both a large permanent magnet (see sec. 1.11,

Question 7) and a low frequency (60 Hz) varying magnetic field. The abscissae in

figure 1. is the distance along tape surface as measured from the BOT. Note that

the erasure effect is greatest at the outermost tape layers which are in the closest

proximity to the permanent magnet (i.e., distance d), and decreases with distance

along the tape surface. Curve A has an 11.1 mm (0.44 in) tape- to- magnet spacing,

d; curve B has 25.4 mm (1.0 in) tape-to-magnet spacing, d; and curve C has a 50.8

mm (2.0 in) tape- to- magnet spacing, d. The peak value of a varying magnetic field

is the quantity which causes the observed data erasure effects.

38
Permanent Magnetic Fields

(0

o

0

>

0)

CO

c

O)

0)

o

Magnetic

Tape

Edge of y^-i^ii

Horseshoe

Magnet

Distance from Magnet

to Tape (d)

Flange

d = 11.1 mm

(0.44 inch)

d = 50.8 mm

(2.0 inches)

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 feet

60 122 183 244 305 366 427 meters

Distance From BOT

Fig. 1

39
Fields

50 100 150 200 250 300 Oe.

4 8 12 16 20 24 X 103A/m

Peak Field Intensity

Fig. 2

40
1.10 Exposure to Fields and

Devices Recommendations

Remarks

(1) Magnetic or electromagnetic (a)

fields : special precautions

required.

(2) Airport metal detectors ; no (a)

special precautions are required.

(b)

(c)

(3) Radar systems: no special (a)

precautions are required.

See sections 1.11 and 1.12 for a complete discussion.

Many airport anti-hijacking metal

detectors are of the "active" type

which fiU their walk-through space

with their own internally generated

varying magnetic fields. Tests were

performed on a number of different

kinds of walk-through detectors in two

airports. Recorded computer tapes

were moved through many different

locations within the dectors and then

tested for a loss of data. There was no observed instance of data loss. The

highest detector field intensity

encountered during the tests was in a

unit which was rated at 398 A/m (5 Oe).

Most of the detectors which will be

encountered in the future will probably

generate weaker fields. A voluntary

performance standard for walk-through

detectors has been prepared by the Law

Enforcement Standards Laboratory of

the National Bureau of Standards. This

standard recommends that the allowable

generated magnetic field in walk-through

metal detectors used for law enforcement

should be held to a maximum value of

approximately 95 A/m (1.19 Oe), a level

much too small to cause erasure of

magnetic media. This trend towards

reduced field strength units is highly

desirable because of factors which must

be considered for detectors that are used with people who may have medical

problems.

Handheld metal detectors are sometimes

used as backup surveillance devices in

airports. Exposure to these handheld

detectors produced no effects on the

recorded data even when they were

placed in direct contact with the media

housings.

Recorded magnetic computer tapes are often transported through areas in which

radar antenna are transmitting signals.

41
1.10 Exposure to Fields and

Devices Recommendations

Remarks

Recorded magnetic tapes were irradiated

by L-band, C-band, and X-band radar

systems; the L and C-bands radiated

200,000 watts of peak power and the

X-band radar radiated 500,000 watts of

peak power. The tapes were placed for

10 seconds directly into the radar signal

paths at distances of 30.5 m (100 ft),

15.2 m (50 ft), and 3 m (10 ft) from

stationary, non-scanning antennas.

There was no loss of recorded data

produced at any of these distances by

any of the radar units. It is not likely

that these radars could cause signal erasure unless the media were at the

point of maximum field strength, almost

in contact with the antenna. The

ineffectiveness of the radar

electromagnetic field for erasing

signals is due to the fact that the

magnetic component of the electromagnetic field loses its strength very

rapidly with distance from the antenna.

(4) X-rays ; no special precautions (a) Recorded magnetic media are often

are required. subjected to x-ray energy in airport

surveillance systems. Tests were

performed with various recorded

magnetic media in the NBS Radiation

Physics laboratory. The media were

subjected to extremely high (lethal)

x-ray dosages. No data losses were

incurred. Recorded media were also

subjected to normal x-ray inspection at

two airports with no resultant loss of

data.

(5) High voltages ; no special (a) High voltages generated at the NBS

precautions are required. High Voltage Laboratory were applied

directly across recorded magnetic stripe

cards. The laboratory voltage generator

outputs were increased to more than

15,000 volts until air breakdown occurred

between the electrodes. Arcs were

struck directly onto the recorded

magnetic stripes on the surfaces of the

plastic cards. No signal or data losses

resulted from these tests. This

42
1.10 Exposure to Fields and

Devices Recommendations

(6) Nuclear radiation (gamma rays); (a) no special precautions are

required.

(7) Automobile interiors ; no special (a)

precautions are required.

(8) Television receivers ; exercise (a)

some care although potential

dangers to recorded data are

slight.

Remarks

resistance to signal loss is valid so long

as the high voltage fields do not produce

excessive arcing which overheats or physically damages the media.

A recorded digital magnetic tape

cassette absorbed a gam ma- ray

dose of approximately 3.0 x 10^ Gy

(3.0 X 10° rd) in the NBS gamma-ray

pool. There was no observed data loss on the media. It has been reported that

data on recorded magnetic media was

able to survive the effects of the

electromagnetic energy component

resulting even from nuclear detonation

providing that the media materials are

not damaged or otherwise altered by

the radiated energy.

Magnetic media carried within the

passenger compartment of numerous

automobiles experienced no data losses.

Within the engine compartment, test

cassettes experienced very little signal

level decreases and no data losses even

though they were put into contact with

the ignition coil, generator, the starter

motor, and the battery cable while

starting the engine. Capacitive

discharge electronic ignition systems

produced no observable changes in the

recorded signals.

Television receivers are sources of

magnetic fields, high voltages, and

x-ray energy. Tests were performed

by placing recorded magnetic media

both in the interior and exterior regions

of different receivers. Media were

placed in close proximity to the high

voltage circuits which are also the sources of the x-rays. No signal level

losses were observed, as anticipated by

items (4) and (5) above. However,

because of the many magnetic field

producing components in television

receivers and the many untested models,

it is prudent not to use the cabinet tops

as a storage space for recorded magnetic

media.

43
1.10 Exposure to Fields and Remarks

Devices Recommendations

(9) Light and laser beams; no special (a)

precautions are required unless

laser beam power is sufficient to

burn (ablate) the media.

(10) Pressure : no special precautions (a) are required other than avoiding

the permanent physical distortion

of the media.

(11) Static electricity: maintain (a) a proper temperature and humidity

and a clean environment (see

f sees. 1.3 and 1.4).

(b)

44

Recorded media were subjected to light sources ranging from infrared through

an intense ultraviolet light source with no resultant data loss. The radiation

from a laser beam also has no effect on

the stored data if spread over a large area on the surface of the medium.

However, a sharply focused laser light

beam can be made sufficiently intense

to either heat or destroy the physical

medium itself.

Magnetically encoded plastic credit

cards are often subjected to pressures

in the pocket, wallet, or in cases. The

effects of pressure were tested by placing

900 kg (2,000 lb) of weight on a number

of individual credit cards. There was

no loss of magnetically encoded data.

Normal pressures have no effect on the

recorded data on horizontally stacked

flexible disks provided that physical

damage does not occur.

Excess static charges due to tape

friction in a low humidity environment

can cause:

. Tape dragging and skew.

. Tape flutter and signal variations.

. Increased tape and head wear.

. Recorded noise and data errors (caused

by arcing); with no effect on the

prerecorded magnetic information on

the tape.

. Dust attraction.

Static charge effects are greatly

diminished (by the manufacturers) by:

. Adding conductive material to the

tape binder chemistry which reduces

the resistance of the coating. This

prevents a deleterious charge buUdup.

(Required coating resistivity values are greater than 5 x 10^ ohms per

square but less than 5 x 10^ ohms per

square).

. Reducing the friction in the tape

path by using special materials which

minimize tape contact; for example,

beaded-glass surfaces in the vacuum

columns.

. Grounding points in the tape path.
1.11 Questions and Answers Relative to the Effects of Magnetic Fields on Recorded

Media

The following series of questions were posed by the Office of Management and

Budget relative to the data damaging potential of various commonly used magnets

and low frequency (i.e., 60 Hz) magnetic fields. The answers were published in [14]

and are applicable to all recorded magnetic media including tapes, cassettes,

cartridges, and disks.

Question 1.

Could someone by putting a couple of the little office bar magnets into a plastic

computer tape canister, and then by putting the canister onto a tape rack, erase and

destroy the data on a significant number of nearby reels over a period of months?

1. The length of time that the magnets are near to the recorded computer

tapes or other magnetic media has no relationship to their effectiveness in

obliterating the tape data. If the fields from the magnets are capable of

erasing the tape, they will do so as soon as the tape is within their

effective range. In a test, these little bar magnets whose field strengths

averaged over approximately 44,000 to 52,000 A/m (550 to 650 Oe) were

contacted singly and in pairs directly against the flange of a recorded reel

of computer tape. It was found that they were able to cause as much as a 35% decrease in the recorded signal amplitude on the track next to the

edge track when used in pairs. Question 1 as posed, however, indicates

that these magnets are to be placed into an adjoining tape canister. This

reduces their erasing effects by moving the tape into a much weaker part

of their fields. It was found that if the tapes as well as the magnets are both enclosed in individual plastic cases then the erasing effect is undetectable for these bar magnets.

Question 2.

Could someone put a 51 mm x 102 mm (2 in x 4 in) magnetic office picture hook in

his pocket, walk by a tape rack, and destroy the data on a significant number of

tapes in the rack?

1. The maximum field strengths close to the surface of each of a number of

magnetic picture hooks was measured as 35,800 to 40,000 A/m (450 to

500 Oe). They had no measurable effect on the signal when carried in a pocket in the vicinity of a recorded reel of tape. One of these magnets

was firmly pressed directly against the exposed flange of a reel of tape.

The track next to the edge track experienced an 8% decrease in signal

amplitude. The magnetic picture hooks are less effective than the bar

magnets in Question 1, because their internal array of flat magnets do not

tend to produce fields that are as strong at a distance. The test was

repeated with the tape enclosed in its plastic canister and with the

magnetic picture hook strapped to the canister surface for two days. No

observable signal loss occurred at this distance.

45
Question 3.

Could someone attach the aforementioned picture hooks magnetically to the tape

rack in an obscure place and destroy the data on a number of tapes over a period of a month?

1. This question has been answered by the previous comments. Time is no element in the destructive process; only the maximum magnetic field

strength and proximity to the tape are important. The picture hook out of

direct contact with the flanges on the reels of tape is ineffective as a

signal erasing device. As a matter of fact, when a permanent magnet is fastened to a metal rack surface by its own magnetic attraction, its fields

tend to be diverted or shielded by the metal rack and are even less

effective than before at any distance from the magnet (see sec. 1.12-(2)).

Question 4.

Given a one-story building housing a tape storage area, could someone place a permanent magnet weighing, say 18 kg (40 lb) on the roof and have any effect on the

data on the tapes?

1. The far field intensity of a magnet will decrease approximately by the

inverse cube of the distance from its poles. At the present time, there are no permanent magnets available that are known to the author that can

erase the information from a magnetic tape that is placed several feet

away from the magnet.

Question 5.

Given a first floor installation separated from the street by a 6.1 m (20 ft) sidewalk,

with the tape racks 30.5 m (100 ft) from the curb, could someone place an electromagnet (of the type used in junk yards to load scrap) into a van, connect the

magnet to a series of automobile storage batteries in the van, drive up to the curb

outside the computer room and, in say a minute, wipe out the entire installation's

files and programs?

1. This experiment was actually simulated at a local scrap metal (junk) yard.

Four recorded tapes were placed into the field of a scrap lifting magnet at

various distances: at 0.41 m (1.3 ft), at 1.52 m (5 ft), and at 3.05 m (10 ft).

At 0.41 m (1.3 ft), a uniform signal level reduction of approximately

5 percent was observed. At 1.52 m (5 ft) and above, no observable

reduction occurred. According to the crane operator, the magnet had a

lifting capacity of approximately 363 kg (800 lb) of scrap metal. However,

the gap structure of a lifting magnet is such that there is little distant

magnetic field strength projecting outward from the magnet pole faces.

This type of a lifting magnet is effective primarily upon contact with the

material and cannot perform at a distance as suggested.

2. Now consider a non-lifting type of electromagnet: a magnetic field forms

around any wire through which electric current flows. This field can be

made very intense by shaping the wire into the form of a coil or "solenoid"

and increasing the current flow. However, increased current flow requires

46
more power from the electrical supply as well as special cooling systems

for the coils. Coils that are specifically designed for producing very strong

magnetic fields that are in the range from approximately 8 to 40 million

A/m (100,000 to 500,000 Oe) are not designed to produce fields at long

distances. They are constructed to produce concentrated magnetic fields

in the center region of the coils and are used to perform basic scientific

experiments on materials that are placed into the most powerful regions of

the coil field. For example, one knownl2 high intensity water-cooled

magnet coil which has approximately a 12 million A/m (150,000 Oe) field near its center drops to less than approximately 80,000 A/m (1,000 Oe)

within 0.305 m (1 ft) of the coil center. This magnet requires a power

supply that is capable of supplying at least 3 million watts of

electrical power to the coil. A magnet system such as this is impossible to transport in any ordinary vehicle.

Question 6.

Is there any way to shield the information recorded on a magnetic tape from an

outside magnetic field produced by a magnet or a motor?

1. It has been noted (see sec. 1.9) that recorded information on a magnetic

tape can be shielded from the effects of a magnetic field by keeping the

tapes at a relatively small distance, i.e., 76 mm (3.0 in), from a source such as a permanent magnet or motor. It is also possible to shield the tape

more effectively by placing it either into an individual container or into a vault whose surfaces are made of soft ferromagnetic shielding materials

(i.e., materials which do not become permanently self- magnetized). These

materials are conductors of both electricity and magnetic flux and will

divert the magnetic field. That is, most of the magnetic field energy is absorbed in the shielding material and very little passes through it into the

air on the opposite side. The shield is usually fabricated from some ferrous

or ferrite material in a number of different physical forms such as sheets,

rolls, and coatings of various thicknesses. Examples of effective shielding

materials for magnetic fields are given in reference [24]. A multi-layer

shielding structure can be devised by using the proper combinations of

materials and air space. For example, there are shielding materials which

are designed for reducing the strength of very powerful magnetic fields

while others are designed to absorb weaker magnetic fields. Therefore, a

layer of one material can be placed close to the outside of a tape enclosure

in order to absorb most of the impinging magnetic field. This can be

foUowed first by an air space, and then by a layer of the other material

close to the interior wall of the enclosure which wiU absorb the remaining

field.

There are several organizations whose primary function is the

development, design, and production of magnetic shielding environments.

It is a worthwhile idea to consider using their information services

[10],[11].

^^Bitter type magnet at the Naval Research Laboratory High Magnetic Field

facility, Washington, D.C.

47
A potential source of unwanted m acetic fields such as a large motor,

generator, or transformer that is near the tape installation should also be

enclosed in shielding materials. The shield layer or layers should be at least 6.4 mm (0.25 in) or more away from the internal device and should

surround it completely and be sealed properly. Whenever possible, the

initial design and placement of a tape repository should consider and avoid

sources of unwanted magnetic fields.

Question 7.

Are there magnets available that are much more powerful than the little office bar

or picture hook magnets but that are stiU easy to conceal and to carry about?

1. Yes, there are. Tests were performed with a concealable magnet which

weighed approximately 0.80 kg (1.75 lb) and had a maximum center field

strength value of approximately 56,000 A/m (700 Oe). The test results

showed that this magnet was extremely effective when it contacted the

outer flange edges of a recorded computer tape reel which was stored in a normal vertical position; i.e., the signal on the first 210 m (700 ft) of the

tape was badly damaged. The intrusion of these magnets into a tape

storage area must be avoided at all costs!

48
1.12 Magnetic Field Recommendations

(1) For protection against data (a)

erasure, do not allow any

permanent magnets to come

closer than 76 mm (3.0 in) to a recorded magnetic media

surface. Maintain strict

magnet control in all areas in (b)

which recorded magnetic media

are found. This includes in the

office and in tape operating or storage areas!

(c)

Remarks

Stray magnetic fields which are of

sufficient intensity to obliterate data on computer magnetic tapes at a distance greater than 76 mm (3.0 in)

from the source are rarely (if ever)

encountered in normal environments.

All protective measures decribed in

this section are equally effective

against the low frequency varying

fields produced by motors,

transformers, generators, etc. The

type of field is not as significant in its

data erasure potential as the peak value

to which the varying field subjects the

recorded media.

Recorded magnetic media of all types can be placed as close to each other as desired with no effects on their recorded

data.

Vaults, canisters, carrying (a)

containers and cabinets made of

soft magnetic shielding materials

offer effective protection against

data erasure by external magnetic

fields at close distances.

(b)

(c)

The shielding materials should have

high permeabilities and be magnetically

soft. That is, when these materials

divert the external static and low

frequency varying magnetic fields

in order to protect the stored recorded

media, they must not become magnetized,

i.e., retain their own residual magnetism.

Examples of good "soft" shielding

materials are various alloys including

those with the proper proportion of

nickel- iron, nickel- iron copper, and

certain grades of magnetically soft

steel [24J.

If the container size is a factor, the

surfaces of vital tapes can be spaced to

within 25.4 mm (1.0 in) from the inside

waUs of the container provided that

these walls are covered with high

permeability, soft magnetic shielding

materials; there are specialized small

carrying containers for this application.

In addition to the carrying cases in (b),

there are large ferromagneticaUy

shielded storage cabinets available.

These are effective for safe, long-term

storage of vital tapes in the repository

environment [lO],[ll].

49
1.12 Magnetic Field Recommendations

(d)

(e)

(3) Whenever possible, design and (a)

locate tape repositories away

from components which produce

magnetic fields.

(b)

(c)

(4) Initiate total security measures (a)

for access to media repositories

particularly if vital magnetic

tape records are stored in these (b) areas.

(c)

Remarks

Non-shielded tape shipping containers

should maintain a 76 mm (3.0 in)

spacing between the media and the

exterior waUs.

Recorded computer magnetic tapes are often subjected to very high frequency

electromagnetic fields such as those

produced by radar systems. Although

these fields can be shielded against

through the use of specialized screening

techniques, such measures are not

necessary (see sec. 1.10-(3)).

These components include large motors,

generators, transformers, and electrical

power lines carrying heavy current

loads.

Make sure that these components are magnetically shielded if they are in the

repository area (see sec. 1.11, Question

6 and sec. 1.12-(2)).

It is claimed by some that the tapes

should not be stored close to structural

steel beams which can be magnetized

by lightning strokes or other electrical

currents.

Permit only fully identified and

authorized personnel into the tape

repository area.

If vital records are stored in the

repository area, set up magnetometer

checks in order to detect concealed

magnets. For example, hand-held or walk-through magnetometers (with

alarms) can be employed. Note that an

incredible amount of intentional

damage to stored data can be quickly

accomplished with a powerful but

concealable, hand-held permanent

magnet (see sec. 1.11, Question 7). An

additional danger stems from the fact

that the data destruction may not be

detected for a long period of time after

the event; therefore, the sabotage may

be an ongoing process.

Advise all personnel never to carry any

type of magnet into a magnetic tape

repository; initiate severe penalties.

50
1.12 Magnetic Field Recommendations Remarks

(5) Test the tape path's metal

components for residual

ma^ietism. These parts include

read/write heads, guides,

capstans, and rollers. Degauss

(demagnetize) these parts as required. Alternately, degauss

the components on a scheduled

basis without testing.

(a) Residual magnetization can cause some

signal level reduction on recorded

computer tapes as they pass over these

magnetized components.

(b) There are hand-held magnetometers

available for measuring the residual

magnetism.

(c) There are hand-held degaussers

available for demagnetizing the

parts [l0],[ll].

(d) Turn off the power to the tape drive

and demount all tapes before measuring

and degaussing the tape path

components.

(e) The guides, rollers, and capstans will be

more difficult to demagnetize than the

read/write heads since they are "harder" magnetically.

(f) In order to prevent head magnetization,

avoid any operation which forces direct

current through the head windings

without an associated varying signal

current. Also, do not touch the head or guides with a permanent magnet.

51
1.13 Scheduled Computer Tape Maintenance

This is a difficult area in which to establish exact scheduling criteria since (a) the

recommendations for tape cleaning, tape evaluation (or certification), and tape

rehabilitation (see sec. 3.) are derived from diverse types of operations and sources and (b) there can be significant differences in the characteristics of tapes emanating

from different and sometimes the same sources. At the present time, there are no accepted standards or agreements relative to the choice of scheduling criteria; the

literature is replete with variations. When the source is a manufacturer of tape

maintenance equipment or a media rehabilitation contractor, the recommended

scheduled operations tend to be conservative and incorporate frequent tape care. When the sources are the users of the media, the recommendations are more heavily

weighted by the economic considerations for contracting out or setting up and

operating an in-house scheduled tape maintenance program. For example, one

major tape user performs no tape maintenance unless trouble is encountered when

attempting to read the tapes after removal from storage. Another user suggests

that tapes should not be cleaned—instead it suggests that the beginning tape footage

be excised when tape errors develop. Generally, small, high use libraries require

more frequent care for each tape, while large tape libraries, in which individual

tapes are usually not mounted as often, tend to require a lower maintenance

frequency for each tape. However, the large tape user organization with a

rehabilitation facility will usually institute criteria which tend to produce a steady

flow of tapes into the rehabilitation process (see sec. 3.3). For example, one large

Government tape user organization maintains a steady flow of 5,000 reels per day

into their contractor's rehabilitation facility.

Section 1.14 presents a number of diverse scheduled tape maintenance options and

recommendations. Individual organizations should institute those recommendations

and options which are found to be most effective for their operations. For example,

the previously mentioned large Government tape user found after a period of

application, that the decision to rehabilitate tapes after they have been mounted a

specified number of times was not an effective approach for their organization.

Instead, their primary choice for rehabilitation candidates is now based on the tape

data expiration dates, while their secondary choices are based on tapes which are troublesome; i.e., display data losses or operating difficulties.

52
1.14 Scheduled Computer Tape

Maintenance Recommendations

Remarks

(1) Establish a schedule for cleaning Tape cleaningl^ recommendations from

magnetic computer tapes (see various sources: 14

sec. 3.2.1.) (a) Problem tapes (marginal operation):!

5

clean as soon as problems are observed.

Recopy if necessary.

(b) New tapes: clean upon receipt or before first use.

(c) Tapes scheduled for long-term archival

storage: clean before storage. Proper

winding and tensioning is critical (see

sees. 7.3 and 7.4).

(d) Large library: clean each tape after

5 to 15 mountings.

(e) Sm.all library: clean each tape after

every 1 to 3 mountings.

(f) Clean tapes when they develop a

specified number of additional errors

(say, 5 errors).

(g) Clean each stored or active tape

approximately every 6 to 12 months.

(h) Clean tape only if data errors are encountered on the first read pass after

storage; otherwise do nothing to the

tape.

(i) Don't clean tapes which are being used

only over a short length (starting at the

BOT): cut off the used section of tape

when errors develop.

(j) When beginning a scheduled cleaning

program, clean each tape once for each

year of prior usage.

(k) Do the cleaning and winding in the

same T-H environment as that in which

the tapes will be stored. Acclimatize

the tapes for 24 hours before cleaning

if they have been transported into the

cleaning area from a different T-H

environment (alternately apply sec.

1.5-(4)).

l*^Note that tape cleaners do not normally erase tapes; therefore, cleaning is applicable to recorded or unrecorded tapes. However, make certain that the cleaner

does not have an erase mode in an "ON" state.

l^Note that there are no implied priorities for these recommendations; several may be

instituted concurrently, if suitable.

l^Make certain that marginal operation does not stem from a system malfunction such

as tape drive misalignment.

53
1.14 Scheduled Computer Tape Remarks

Maintenance Recommendations

(2) Establish a schedule for Tape evaluation/certificationl^

evaluating/certifying computer recommendations (from various sources):!"^

magnetic tapes (see sec. (a) Evaluate marginal tapes as soon as

3.2.2-3.2.3). problems are observed.18

(b) Evaluate active tapes after 3 to 6

cleanings.

(c) Evaluate each active tape after

approximately 30 mountings.

(d) Evaluate (or certify) tapes within six

months prior to use in long-term storage.

Thereafter, evaluate these tapes once

per year; non-destructive testing can be

performed (see sec. 4.4).

(e) Evaluate new library tapes upon receipt

(optional); alternate suggestion—clean

only upon receipt (see sec. 1.14-(1)).

(f) Evaluate a tape after it has been

relegated to scratch status or its data

has been copied onto another reel, or when the data has expired and recopying

is unnecessary.

(g) Evaluate a tape after it has developed a specified number of write skip errors.

(h) Evaluate the tapes in the same T-H

environment as that in which the tapes

will be operated or stored. Acclimatize

the tapes for 24 hours before evaluation,

if they have been transported into the

evaluator area from a different T-H

environment (alternately apply sec.

1.5-(4)).

(3) Establish a schedule for (a) Rehabilitation may be performed

rehabilitating computer magnetic in-house or by a contracting

tapes (see sec. 3.3). organization.

(b) Contractors are a good source of

information relative to the costs, and

the pros and cons for setting up a

rehabilitation program.

l^Evaluators (and certifiers) will usually erase all of the pre-recorded tape data;

therefore, if necessary, recopy the data before evaluating. Note that there are

error-logging software systems (for example, see sec. 4.4) that can evaluate data files

by reading the data non-destructively and examining the records and fields for bad

spots. It is advantageous to clean the tapes before evaluation.

I'Note that there are no implied priorities for these recommendations; several may be

instituted concurrently, if suitable.

l^Make certain that the marginal operation does not stem from a system malfunction

such as tape drive misalignment.

54
1.14 Scheduled Computer Tape

Maintenance Recommendations

Remarks

(c) Tape rehabilitation recommendations

(from various sources):^^

Rehabilitate tapes :

. After they have caused any

operational problems. 20

. After they have been in storage for a specific length of time (this thins out

the vault population).

. After the data have reached their

expiration date.

. After they have become scratch

library tapes.

. After the data have been copied onto

other reels.

. After they have developed more than

a specified number of write skip

errors.

. After they have been mounted more

than a specified number of times

over a given period of time; e.g., more than 4 mountings within 60

days.

. After they have been mounted a specified number of times; for

example, after 30 mountings.

(d) Typical rehabilitation activities (see sec. 3.3 for complete details):

. Tape cleaning only or cleaning and

evaluation.

. Reel and label condition checks plus

replacements if necessary.

. Tape condition checks including

signal tests at specific densities, and

tape error tests at specific densities.

. Tapes are rewound at tensions which

are compatible with the normal

operating tape devices.

. Quality assurance testing by

contractor in order to minimize

rejected tape lots.

l^Note that there are no implied priorities for these recommendations; several may be

instituted concurrently, if suitable.

20Make certain that the marginal operation does not stem from a system malfunction

such as tape drive misalignment.

55
1.14 Scheduled Computer Tape

Maintenance Recommendations

(4) Establish application categories (; for tapes which have been

evaluated or rehabilitated.

Remarks

) Optional categories:

. Tape has less than 10 write skip

or dropout errors: unlimited use other than long-term archives. Use

new state-of-the-art tapes for

archival purposes (see sec. 2.1.1-(1)).

. Tape has 10-20 dropout errors: use

for daUy applications.

. Tape has excessive dropout errors and apparently defective edge tracks:

discard. Excessive errors may be

defined by the economic breakpoint

at which it is cost effective to

replace the tape with a new tape (see

sec. 3.1.1).

56
1.15 Flexible Disk Cartri<^es

Flexible magnetic disk cartridges ("floppy" disks) employ mylar substrates and

y-Fe203 particles or cobalt modified y-Fe203 particles in their magnetic surface

coatings and are designed with similar coercivity and magnetization parameters as both regular and high energy computer magnetic tapes. The magnetic media are made slightly thicker than computer tapes; i.e., 0.075 mm (0.003 in) since they must

rotate in a plane and maintain their surface rigidity. Unlike the rigid disks in which

the read/ write heads are designed to fly aerodynamically above the magnetic disk

surface, the flexible disk read/write head operates in direct contact with the disk

surface, with opposing pressure offered by a pad or a similar head from the opposite

surface. Hence, head and media wear and debris problems occur due to the

frictional effects. These wear problems are reduced through the use of lubricants

either directly integrated into the coating chemistry, or by lubricants which are

applied externally to the disk surface.

The most popular diameters for flexible disks at the present time are 203 mm (8 in)

and 133 mm (5.25 in). New, small "micro-disks" with 76 m (3.0 in) to 102 mm

(4.0 in) diameters are also becoming available. Special features are being designed

into these micro-disks that include: automatic shutters which prevent

contamination of the exposed media surface, rigid protective shells which do not

flex or bend, and rigid center hub disks which provide for proper disk placement and

head tracking.

The effects of various external fields (see sees. 1.9 to 1.12) and T-H environments

on flexible disks are analogous to those on the computer tapes; however, the disks

develop none of the tape pack winding pressure and tension conditions which cause many of the serious computer tape problems (see sees. 7.3 and 7.4).

Many of the care and handling recommendations for magnetic computer tapes in

section 1. are also applicable to the flexible disk media and should be observed.

57
1.16 Flexible Disk Care and

Handling Recommendations

(1) Media cleanliness is important. (a)

Maintain a clean working

environment.

(2) Never make finger contact with (a)

the exposed media surface through

the elongated, oval slot in the

envelope where the head-to-disk (b) access (contact) is made. Also

avoid touching the exposed media

surface area near the hub.

(3) Clean the flexible disk drive (a)

regularly particularly at its

insertion slot position.

(4) Clean the read/write heads on a (a)

regular basis.

' (b)

(c)

Remarks

Contamination of the flexible disk

surface is a serious cause of data

losses. Finger oil, smoke, food and

drinks, abrasive materials (such as dust

or filings), pencil eraser debris, etc., are typical contaminants. Read/write

heads last longer when used with clean

media.

These slotted regions offer access to

the media surfaces by contaminants

particularly fingerprint oils and dirt.

Some of the new state-of-the-art

micro-sized flexible disks which have

76 mm. (3.0 in) to 102 mm (4.0 in)

diameters have automatic shutter

mechanisms which have been designed

to prevent this finger contact problem.

Dirt and dust can be picked up by the

disk during insertion.

Dilute isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free

swab will clean contaminants from the

head. Exert minimum force on the

delicate tension springs.

Cleaning kits are available which

employ flexible disks made of a special

material as the rotating media rather

than the magnetic media of the regular

disks. The cleaning material is either run dry or is wetted with a cleaning

fluid; the head is then lowered onto the

surface and cleaned under rotation. 21

One kit manufacturer suggests two

cleanings per week, another suggests a cleaning after each 40 operational

hours, while others recommend a daily

cleaning. Others suggest cleaning the

flexible disk as soon as data errors appear.

2lNote: Some flexible disk head and drive manufacturers will invalidate their

warrantees if some types of head cleaners are used. Contact individual manufacturers

for head cleaning information.

58
1.16 Flexible Disk Care and

Handlii^ Recommendations

(5) Always return the flexible disk

into its protective envelope

after it is used.

(6) Don't flex or fold the flexible

disks. Avoid bending the disk

when loading into or extracting

it from the drive.

(7) Don't put a rubber band or a paper clip onto the flexible

disk envelope.

(8) Always write on the label before

it is applied to the disk. However,

if the original label is used, do

not write on it with a ball point

pen; use a soft, fiber tipped pen.

(9) Never erase the label on a flexible

disk cartridge. Cross out previous

information; remove and replace

label when full.

(10) General environmental

requirements:

(a) Operation and storage:

Temperature: IQOC to 51.60C

(50OF to 1250F)

Relative humidity: 8% to 80%

(b) Test environment:

Temperature: 20OC to 260C

(680F to 780F)

Relative humidity: 40% to 60%

(c) Transportation:

Temperature: -40OC to 51.60C

(-40OF to 1250F)

Remarks

(a) This prevents contamination and

physical damage to the media. Don't

lose the envelope. Don't scatter the

disks around on table tops and desks in a random fashion.

(a) Although the envelope may recover, the

internal media may be damaged

permanently; a warped disk does

not rotate properly.

(b) There are new micro-sized flexible

disks which are enclosed in rigid plastic

envelopes which do not bend or flex.

(a) The rubber band may cause the disk to

remain bent permanently after

long-term storage. The paper clip may

emboss the media and cause permanent

data losses due to head-to-media

separation.

(a) A ball point pen can emboss the

surface of the disk and cause permanent surface defects and data

losses.

(a) Erasure can be a source of

contamination. In fact, don't write on the label with a lead pencil. Don't

paste a new label over the old label and

do not cover any flexible disk holes

with the new label.

The following are American National

Standards Institute (ANSI X3.73-1980)

recommendations:

(a) Disks should be conditioned for at

least one hour in the operating

environment before use.

(b) Disks should be acclimatized in the

test environment for 24 hours before

testing.

(c) In the cases of items (10)(a), (b), or (c), no moisture should be permitted to condense in or on the cartridge.

59
1.16 Flexible Disk Care and

Handling Recommendations

Remarks

(11) Failure to observe the T-H

guidelines in item (10) can result

in media damage. Be careful

about the the storage location.

(a) Acceptable temperatures and

humidities are normally maintained in an operating area such as an office.

However, the temperatures in a closed,

hot, stationary, automobile in the

sunlight may exceed the upper limits.

Excessively cold temperatures may

make these disks rigid. Acclimatize

these affected disks in a normal T-H

environment (see sec. 1.16-(10)) for

several hours before using.

(b) Don't use a flexible disk as a place mat.

(12) Discontinue the use and acquisition (a)

of flexible disks which appear to

shed excess debris and cause rapid

head wear.

They may have abrasive surfaces which

create considerable friction and heat

and usually have short operating lives.

The wear rate for a flexible disk

compared to a computer tape is accelerated by the fact that the disk

heads wiU pass over and make contact

with the same point on the disk surface

typically five to six times per second.

A rapid decrease in the disk signal level

may indicate a rapidly wearing disk

surface. Built-in disk coating

lubricants reduce this wear effect.

(13) Never place a magnet of any kind (a)

onto the envelope surface of a

flexible disk cartridge! See

sections 1.11 and 1.12 for the

effects of magnetic fields on

data recorded on flexible disks.

(b)

(14) For long-term storage, the (a)

flexible disk cartridges should

be stored in a vertical position

in a ten-disk storage container.

These include typical bar magnets

found in offices, coat and picture

hangar magnets, flashlight magnets,

magnetized screwdrivers, etc.! Keep

magnets at least 76 mm (3.0 in) away

from recorded disks. This applies to

both rigid and flexible disks.

Exercise complete magnet control in

the office and the data processing work

place.

The vertically stored disks should be

supported, by the container so that they

cannot lean or sag. Make certain that no pressure is exerted against the disk

envelopes.

For safest storage, do not use a cardboard container; use a more rigid

type, such as a hard plastic unit.

b

60
1.16 Flexible Disk Care and

Handling Recommendations

(15) For short-term storage, the

flexible disk cartridges may be

placed either vertically or

horizontally in stacks of ten or

less.

(16) Reinforcing flexible disk hub

rings: should they be installed

by the user?

(17) Maintain a schedule for checking,

cleaning, or replacing associated

air filters.

(18) Use the proper type of tab to cover the write protect notch on

the disk envelop.

(19) Make copies of vital or master

flexible disks and store in

alternate locations.

(20) Electrical discharges produced by

static electricity cannot damage

or alter the data which has been

correctly recorded and stored on

the flexible disks.

(21) Inspect and replace worn head

pads if necessary.

Remarks

(a) Do not put a weight or other pressure on these horizontal disks. There are many specialized rigid containers

available for short and long-term

storage and shipping of magnetic

disks [12].

(a) Special rings have been developed for

the purpose of reducing both the

slippage of the flexible disk and inner

media hole damage under rotational

conditions [12]. At present, the

question of the efficacy of these user

installed rings and their possible

deleterious effects is unresolved for the

larger diameter 203 mm (8.0 in) and

133 mm (5.25 in) flexible disks.

(b) Micro-disks with 76 mm (3.0 in) to

102 mm (4.0 in) diameters, which have

recently been introduced into the

market, are manufactured with a rigid

hub material adhesively bound to the

mylar surface. These appear to

eliminate the need for these user

installed hub rings.

(a) See recommendations for clean tape

operations in section 1.3. Dirt causes data losses and media damage.

(a) Don't use any tab material which

leaves a sticky residue; use the tabs

which are supplied with the disks.

(a) Do this as soon as possible before

problems arise.

(a) However, electrical noise produced by

arcing due to static electricity, may

induce unwanted pulses into the

sensitive electronic system.

(b) See sections 1.10-(5) and l.lO-(ll).

(a) A worn pad may cause rapid debris

formation, and a change in signal level.

61
1.17 Computer Tape Transport Care Remarks

(1) A computer tape transport can Check the following: cause immediate or delayed tape (a) Read/write heads ; and data damage. Preventative . Clean? See table 1. and section

and immediate maintenance is 1.3-(12).

mandatory.22 . Burrs, scratches, etc.? Replace

head.

. Gap smeared? (i.e., gap material

from one side of the head gap shorts across to other side of the gap);

replace head.

. Aligned? Use master skew tape.

. Magnetized? See section 1.12-(5).

. Brown-stain? See section 7.2(d).

(b) Tape path ;

. Worn or damaged guides or capstans?

Replace.

. Aligned? (Misaligned guides or capstans can cause media damage.)

. Clean? See table 1. and section

: 1.3-(12).

Clean entire path including vacuum

threading channel columns. Do not

touch capstans with fingers. Remove

bits of debris and tape from the

;t bottom of the vacuum columns.

. Lubricated as recommended?

. Magnetized components? See section

1.12-(5).

(c) Tape dynamics ;

. Tapes breaking, stretching, or cinching?

. Tape loading, unloading, and moving

smoothly at proper speeds?

. Unusual system noises?

. Do tape packs appear smooth with no

' protruding layers after a rewind

operation? Note; an occasional

uneven pack can be due to an improperly slit tape.

. Tape winding tensions correct? If not, tape packs may appear irregular or loose.

2 2 Most of these items must be performed by technical personnel such as Field

Engineers; they include most of the replacements, adjustments, and trouble-shooting

chores. However, a number of these items such as cleaning, can be performed by

operating personnel who should also report apparent defects such as tape breaking,

unusual noise, etc., to the person in charge. There are additional system checks which

wiU be performed on-site by the Field Engineers including the proper reading and

writing of the data on all tracks. A number of these suggestions can also be applied to

cassette and cartridge drives.

62
1.17 Computer Tape Transport Care Remarks

. Pneumatic system functioning

properly? (i.e., check vacuum levels

and pumps, vacuum and pressure

points, valves, chamber sealing, etc.)

Adjust or replace defective

components.

. Belt tensions correct?

. Sudden increase in error rates?

Report and investigate immediately.

Check all potential tape damaging

mechanisms described in sections

1.17-(1) and 1.2-(9).

63
2. Long-Term Storage - Care and Handling

The purpose of the following sections is to describe the methods for controlling

those factors which have a direct impact on the long-term archival storage of

computer magnetic tapes and on the retrieval of their recorded information. The

archival properties of the total systems and codes are not considered in this paper.

There is no unified or analytic discipline available at present with which the

long-term properties of computer magnetic media and the stored data can be

completely predicted. The available (and limited) information concerning the

archival properties of flexible media such as computer tapes has been derived from

two general areas:

(a) empirical observations, intuitive estimates drawn from experience, and

surveys aU based on large media populations [5] through [9], [25],[26],[27].

(b) extrapolation from small sample experiments and theoretical insights

[22],[28],[29J,[30].

This section will present some of the information which is available for these two

cases; i.e., the sm.aU and large sample computer tape populations. Each area wiU be

presented individually. It should be understood that the information presented for

the large sample case does not presently have the theoretical and experimental

underpinnings of the small sample case, while the extrapolations from the small

sample theories have not yet been proven to be effective when applied to a large,

general tape population which contains a representative sample of the available

media.

An underlying cause for the analytic complexity of this archival problem stems from

the multivariable nature of the tape medium and its response to its handling, its

systems, and its environment.

For example, it is often difficult to design a dynamic experiment which will lead to valid judgments about the probable end-of-life of the storage medium. Sometimes

the dynamic test procedures v;ill intrude their own characteristics into the results so that it is difficult to separate the cause and effect variables. An example of this

type of problem appeared in an attempt to determine the effects on the

"error- production" tendencies which existed between a tape transport system and

reels of magnetic computer tape. It was found that the number of passes required

for a single reel of tape to run to failure when shuttled among ten similar production

transports was quite different from the number of passes that were required to run each of ten reels of the same kind of tape to failure on just one of these transports

[3l]. This difference was attributed to the machine differences rather than the tape

differences. However, these transport differences were not evident during their

operation in actual computer systems.

Another example in which the dynamic operating mode affects the end-of-life is as foUows: There is a difference noted in the rate of data loss (drop-outs) if a magnetic computer tape is shuttled over short segments or over an equal number of

passes over longer segments of the tape. This is caused by the variations in debris

generation and distribution caused by the friction between the tape and (a) the

mechanical guidance system, and (b) the recording/ reproducing head.

64
Although lifetime testing of a medium should be performed under conditions which

are as similar as possible to the actual operating conditions, very often this is not a practical approach. This may be due to the expense or to the length of time which

may be required for the test. Considerable care must be taken however when

attempting accelerated lifetime studies because in many instances accelerated

lifetime testing procedures yield results that are not valid because they are not

truly representative of the actual environmental conditions in which the medium

must function. As an example, by using very high temperatures it is possible to produce an observable breakdown of magnetic tape in a short length of time.

However, in such a test, the researcher must be careful to remain below

temperatures that can produce chemical phase transitions in the magnetic oxide

particle material because the effects of heat are not cumulative for a tape. That is, during normal operations no amount of heat below the critical value can produce a phase transition (for example, a gamma to alpha transformation) in the oxide

particles.

In a series of simulated and accelerated head-tape wear test procedures, it has been

found that the relative wear results among a group of tapes reversed themselves as a function of the substitute metal which is used to simulate the head materials (see sec. 7.2).

Experimental evidence has shown that failure to extract the information from

magnetic media is almost always attributable to the physical or chemical

deterioration of the media rather than the volatility of the data. Data volatility is a function of the magnetic relaxation time of the recorded oxide particles assuming no intervention of undesirable energies such as high temperatures or unwanted

magnetic fields [13]. Under ideal environmental conditions, the recorded data

contents will outlast the physical and chemical structure of the tape materials at

the present day particle sizes (volumes) and operating densities. In a controlled

environment, it has been found that the recorded tape signal levels decrease 5% to

10% from their initial levels during the first 3 to 5 read cycles. At this point, the

signals levels tend to stabilize so long as they are not subjected to read/ write head

demagnetizing fields.

An intuitive estimate for the improved modern computer tapes anticipates an

effective lifetime of 20 years as compared to 10 to 12 years for tapes produced in

the 1960s. The superior archival quality of the present day computer tapes is mostly

due to improvements in the physical, chemical, and mechanical qualities of the tape

rather than its magnetic properties. These stem from: (a) improved long wearing

binder formulations which provide an efficient bond to the tape base (mylar) and

resist the tendency to disintegrate or flake easily, (b) new surface calendering

methods which have smoothed the tape surfaces by approximately 70% to 80% (i.e.,

to a present average surface roughnesses of 0.025 /im (1 /iin) to 0.15 ptm (6 ^in)),

(c) the application on many tapes of a new carbon based back coating material, and

(d) improved manufacturing control of the physical parameters of the tape. All of

these developments tend to reduce the production of tape debris and debris effects, as well as head wear. Loose debris particles can eventually lead to permanent tape

damage when they are pressed into the surface by the large pack winding pressures

during long-term storage. For example, it is possible to perform a successful

read- after- write check on a computer tape prior to storage; however, the loose

debris can permanently distort or "dimple" the tape and make that stored data

irretrievable after long-term storage.

65
The Archivist of the United States has established that "archival" is defined as "permanent-forever." However since most practical stored materials neither

require nor possess such extreme capabilities, several other varied classifications

have arisen. These are: medium term—up to approximately 10 years; long

term --approximately 100 years; and expendable—used and discarded within a short

time. Since it has been estimated that present-day computer magnetic tapes have a

shelf life of approximately 20 years, it appears that the storage phase should be

considered as medium term in length. However, the critical dynamic portion of the

storage phase can extend the archival time well beyond the medium term. The

dynamic storage phase is dedicated primarily to the long-term maintenance of the

data contents through the process of scheduled testing and media replacement.

Regular and master tapes can be recopied onto new reels ad infinitum since the

physical medium has no intrinsic value as in the case of, say, historical documents.

The replacement costs are partially offset when the data transfer is performed from

a low density tape format to a newer high density format. This density increase

reduces the number of required tapes and can release valuable vault space which is becoming extremely costly and scarce with the fast growth of computer tape

archives.

2.1 Long-Term Archival Storage - Large Population Cases

The information in this section has been derived from many empirical and intuitive

observations, operational experiences, and surveys based on large media populations.

It has been organized in the following sequence [6],[25]:

2.1.1 Preparation Phase

(1) Quality of the Tapes that are Chosen for Long-Term Storage

(2) Physical Preparation of the Tapes Prior to Long-Term Storage

(3) Recommendations for Computer Tape Physical Preparation

(4) Preparation of the Data Prior to Long-Term Storage

(5) Recommendations for Data Preparation

2.1.2 Storage Phase

(1) Static Phase

(2) Recommendations (Static Phase)

(3) Dynamic Phase

(4) Recommendations (Dynamic Phase)

2.1.3 Reactivation Phase

(1) Recommendations for the Reactivation Phase

The preparation phase includes media selection and preconditioning processes. The

storage phase is the phase which is most directly concerned with the actual archival

properties of the stored media and particularly of their data contents and is considered in terms of controllable static and dynamic processes. Finally, the

reactivation phase is concerned with the recovery of the stored data when the media

are removed from the archives.

66
2.1.1 Preparation Phase

(1) The Quality of the Tapes that are Chosen for Long;-Term Storage

(a) The candidate tapes for operation at 8 bpnim (200 bpi) and 32 bpmm

(800 bpi), NRZI, and 63 bpmm (1600 bpi), PE, can be chosen to be in

compliance with specifications which are described in documents such as the U.S. Interim Federal Specification W-T-0051C (GSA-FSS), March 1,

1975, for 12.7 mm (0.30 in) computer magnetic tapes. 23 Compliance with

these specifications assures the quality and the interchangeability of the

computer tapes when they are used both internal to, or external to the

originating computer system. Therefore, each tape will not be restricted

to operate only with specific transports and electronic setups. Many

available brands of standard quality computer tapes comply with this

specification.

(b) The following tables 2. and 3. show some of the tests and examinations

which were performed under the aforementioned specification W-T-0051C

(GSA-FSS), March 1, 1975. It can be used as a guide to test procedures

which can be instituted by media manufacturer and user organizations.

(c) An alternate source for use in making quality judgments relative to the

chosen 12.7 mm (0.50 in) computer tape is the American National

Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard entitled "Unrecorded Magnetic Tape

(9-track, 800 CPI, NRZI; 1600 CPI, PE; 6250 CPI, GCR) (ANSI Document:

X3. 40-1976). ANSI has also developed a series of standards for other

computer storage media such as flexible disks, cassettes, and cartridges.

Note that unrecorded standards are required for testing information similar

in detail to the GSA-FSS specification.

(d) There are computer tapes v/hich are described by their manufacturers as "permanent," "archival tapes," etc. However since the ICST Computer

Storage Media Group has not performed any in-house experimentation with

such extended life magnetic computer tapes, the following statements are

not to be construed as an endorsement of these media. There are computer

tapes on the market which are claimed to have potential lifetimes of 20

years and a capacity for millions of passes. Typically, their long-life

characteristics are based upon extrapolations from accelerated test

procedures. It has been reported that some of these extended life tapes

have very hard binders which can cause rapid head wear. In addition, it has

been found that the final error production tendencies of some long-life,

hard binder tapes eventually approached that of the standard tapes [7].

23copies of this specification may be available through the General Services

Administration, Automated Data Telecommunication Services. The GSA-Magnetic

Surfaces Laboratory which performed this specification testing was terminated in

February 1982.

67

it
TABLE 2. COMPUTER TAPE TESTS, MEASUREMENTS, AND EXAMINATIONS

1. Tape length 24. Tape reel dimensions

2. Tape width 25. Flange label area

3. Tape thickness 26. Write enable ring

4. "E" value 27. Tape reel environmental stability

5. Photoreflective markers 28. Moment of inertia

6. Marker reflectivity 29. Loss of recorded information

7. Yield strength

8. Elongation under stress

9. Longitudinal curvature

10. Abrasivity

11. Cupping

12. Stiffness

13. Splices

14. Output signal level

15. Surface uniformity defects

16. Ease of erasure

17. Dynamic skew

18. Start time

19. Ten-foot wear

20. Compatibility

21. Wear deposits

22. Environmental wear

23. Electrical resistance

68
TABLE 3. GENERAL EXAMINATION OF TAPES

Examine Defects

1. Reels:

Appearance

2.

Identification and labeling

Reel color

Write enable ring

Tape ;

Wind

Wound pile (pack) envelope

Appearance

Construction

3. Reflective markers:

4. Reel containers:

5. Condition as received:

Voids, nicks, and other surface

imperfections which do not fall within an area of a circle 1.6 mm (0.063 in) in

diameter; scratches which exceed 12.7 mm

(0.50 in) in length.

Not as specified?

Not as specified?

Missing; improper fit.

Not as specified?

Tape pile (pack) not smoothly wound; loose,

with visible folds, buckling, cinching,

spoking, or gaps between the tape layers.

Protruding tape edges, tape layers, or groups of layers. Plane of the tape pile not

perpendicular to the reel axis.

Tape surfaces not clean; presence of dirt,

dust, lint, fuzz, or other foreign matter.

Presence of blemishes, holes, tears, creases,

or wrinkles, split or ragged edges. Presence

of adhesive substance.

Tape does not unroll evenly and uniformly;

tape sticks.

Missing; incorrect placement; wrinkled;

improper method of application.

Not as specified?

Improper packaging; improper marking;

damaged contents.

69
There is continuing research by media manufacturers towards producing a premium or superior line of computer tapes whose lifetimes and adherence

to required interchange parameters are better than those which are achieved with standard brands. There are expensive premium tapes with a

lifetime guarantee; these tapes will be replaced free of charge if any

errors ever develop [12(b)]. Unfortunately, the replacement cost of a tape

is minor when compared to the cost for reconstructing permanent read

errors which have developed in archives. It should be noted that tapes

which are designated for long-term archival purposes do not necessarily

require the capability for withstanding a large number of passes. In fact,

the hardness or softness of a tape binder is not necessarily an indicator of

the durability of the tape [18]. Instead they require physical/chemical

stability over long periods of time and proper care and handling techniques

in archives. The effect of the archival handling methods on tape life can

be monitored through the scheduled use of error logging routines which

periodically read, detect, and count accumulated tape errors from the

stored files in archives. This can yield useful statistical information

relative to pending problems and possible corrections prior to major losses.

At the present time, however, the long-life computer tape user position

should be one of caution until sufficient long-term evidence has been

presented on behalf of particular brands of archival tape which are made

available in the marketplace.

(e) Computer magnetic tapes which were produced prior to 1970 should not be

chosen for long-term storage even if they have never been used previously

since it has been found that they have a greater tendency to develop

permanent errors as a function of time in storage than tapes which were

developed and produced in the 1970s and 1980s. It was found for the

pre-1970 tapes that the buildup and accumulation of tape errors in storage

increased approximately as an exponential function of time and that errors developed even in good storage environments [6]. This error growth is particularly evident in the older tapes which have been recorded at

32 bpmm (800 bpi) (NRZI).

(f) In order to achieve greater security against the loss of data due to tape

deterioration in the primary or backup storage location, do not use tapes

from the same manufacturer's lot for both the archival tapes and the

backup (duplicate) tapes.

Physical Preparation of the Computer Tapes Prior to Long-Term Storage

Factors which influence the physical preparation of the tapes prior to storage

are:

(a) New tapes are sometimes contaminated with debris which eventually can become a source of read/write errors. Some of this debris can originate in

the tape slitting process.

(b) Tape life is affected significantly by the condition of the initial tape drive

which records the data for storage. For example, it can introduce debris

into the tape windings; it can also produce an unevenly wound tape pack.

This uneveness can produce laterally displaced windings whose edges can be

damaged by operator mishandling of the reel flanges (see sec. 1.2-(1)).

70
(c) The tape rewind tension after recording has a significant affect on the

long-term storage quality of the tape. The tape drive should not introduce

large tension variations when rewinding the tape prior to storage. Too

smaU or too large a tension can cause eventual tape problems. Excessive

tape winding pressures and humidity and temperature swings in storage can produce permanent distortions or damage to the tape, whUe very low

winding pressures can produce layer- to-layer slipping and creasing or "cinching" in the tape pack upon acceleration which can lead to serious

data losses (see sees. 7.3 and 7.4).

Recommendations for Computer Tape Physical Preparations :

(a) AU tapes, including new tapes, which are selected as candidates for

long-term archival storage applications should be cleaned and tested

(evaluated) at the anticipated recording density. Certification and manual

error removal is an optional activity (see sees. 3.2.1 to 3.2.3).

(b) The cleaning and evaluation should be performed within six months of

application prior to recording and storage.

(c) A maximum of five write skip errors should be allowed on any candidate

tape prior to long-term storage; none of these errors should exist on the

first 30.5 m (100 ft) of tape. No permanent errors are permitted (see sec.

3.1). Scratch or rehabilitated tapes are not recommended for archival

storage.

(d) The candidate tapes should have less than 50 full passes but more than four

passes. New tapes should be exercised for the required minimum of four

full passes prior to recording.

(e) Prior to final storage, after cleaning and evaluating, while awaiting the

recording of the archival data, the tapes should be given a fuU length pass

at normal speeds, no high speed rewind should be performed. The winding

should be performed in a constant tension or programmed rewind mode at

approximately 1.7 N (6 ozf) to 2.2 N (8 ozf) per 12.7 mm (0.50 in) width of

tape (see sec, 7.4).

(f) Fasten all tape leaders with a soft sponge, rubber grommet, or vinyl strip.

(g) Make certain that the reel is properly labelled with a self-adhesive label.

Write with a ballpoint pen or typewriter on the label. Do not use a graphite pencil or any water soluble marker. A label may not be necessary

if a Tape Management System is used (for example, see sec. 4.2).

(h) Place each tape into a fully enclosed, clean transparent canister. Make

certain that the canister is fuUy and tightly latched. Wrap-around collars

should not be used with tape reels whose flanges have windows or apertures

(see sec. 1.3-(6)).

(i) As an option, seal the canister in a polyethylene bag. This reduces the

evaporation loss of components from the tape coating.

71
(j) store tape in an upright (on edge) position in vault. The canister will

support the reel by its hub which is its strongest member. For long-term

archival storage, avoid devices which support the tapes by their flanges

rather than by their hubs.

Preparation of the Data Prior to Long-Term Storage : Some factors which influence the preparation of the data prior to storage are:

(a) Tapes which are recorded with misaligned read/write transducers may be

difficult to read back on any transport other than the originating unit.

(b) Tape transports which have dirty, worn, or misadjusted guidance systems can damage the tape, cause skew effects, and add debris to the tape.

These defects will eventually cause the loss of data in storage.

(c) It has been reported that computer tapes which had been recorded at

32 bpmm (800 bpi) using the non- return- to-zero (NRZI) mode of recording

tended to develop more errors in storage than tapes which were recorded

using phase encoded (PE) methods [8], [9]. It has been recommended that

either a 63 bpmm (1600 bpi) PE method or an NRZI method at a lower

information density such as 8 bpmm (200 bpi) should be used for archival

storage purposes. Although relatively new, it appears that the high density

: 246 bpmm (6250 bpi) computer tapes have good archival qualities.

However, there are both favorable and unfavorable factors:

(1) Favorable: The overall handling of the computer tape by the typical

246 bpmm (6250 bpi) drive tends to be very gentle. For example, the

oxide coated side of the tape generally does not rub or contact against

any transport or guidance surface other than the read/write head,

erase head, and cleaner assembly. There are usually very small and

well controlled winding tension variations on the present day

246 bpmm (6250 bpi) drives [20].

(2) Unfavorable: Since 246 bpmm (6250 bpi) has a maximum recording

density of 356 bpmm (9042 bpi), the wavelengths of these signals are very short. Hence, it requires a very small head-to-tape spacing to

create a significant signal drop-out loss (see sec. 8.1-eq(4)). In other

words, debris particles whose size would cause no problems at

63 bpmm (1600 bpi) can cause data losses at 356 bpmm (9042 bpi).

(d) Another experimental finding of interest is that there are regions along the

length of many computer tapes that appear to be more susceptible than

other regions to developing data losses while in storage. On a typical

731 m (2400 ft) length computer tape, these undesirable regions are from

the beginning of the tape to the 100 m (328 ft) point, from 300 m (984 ft) to 400 m (1312 ft) and from 600 m (1968 ft) to the end of the tape [26].

It was noted that if a recording strategy could be devised which avoided

these regions, then there could be a significant increase in the useful

storage life of the data on the tape medium. In this study, a tape was

rejected if more than one parity error was detected over any 300 m (984 ft)

72
of the tape. It was also felt that an effective strategy might be developed

which was based upon the statistically derived observation that there was

an optimal block length which minimizes tape errors while realizing

efficient packing of the data. The block lengths however are usually

constrained by the system requirements and a practical application of this

concept is difficult to achieve.

(e) It has been noted that tapes which are recorded and read over only a small

portion of their total lengths display a greater tendency towards cinching.

This is due to irregular variations in the tape pack tension caused by the

partial wind-rewind processes.

(5) Recommendations for the Preparation of Archival Data:

(a) Make certain that the transports and transducers are properly cleaned and

adjusted prior to recording.

(b) Check the read/write and tape motion operations of each transport before

commencing with the recording of the archival tapes. Do this with a known clean error-free tape which can then be used to perform a read-only

pass on all of the transports. This wiU check their relative alignments.

(c) Record the archival tapes and then remove the write enable rings in order

to protect the tapes against erasure. (Note that this may not be required

with a Tape Management System such as TMS-II (see sec. 4.2).)

(d) Perform a "read-only" pass on each tape in order to verify that an

error-free recording has been made prior to storage.

(e) When performing this verification, the tape should always be given a full

length pass to the end-of-tape marker (EOT), and then rewound at a normal speed only. The winding should be performed in a constant tension

or programmed rewind mode (see sec. 7.4). A normal tension value of

approximately 1.7 N (6 ozf) to 2.22 N (8 ozf) per 12.7 mm (0.50 in) width of

tape is most frequently suggested.

(f) Avoid the use of 32 bpmm (800 bpi) (NRZI) recording for tapes which are to be placed into long-term storage.

(g) Important option: if possible, immediately record the backup copies of all vital tapes and move them without delay to the alternate location.

Perform all steps in item (5). The backup copies should be recorded either

in, or as close to, the primary archival storage area as possible. Do this in

order to avoid environmental or physical damage to the vital tapes when

they are in transit to an external duplicating facility.

2.1.2 Storage Phase

The storage program phase is the one most directly associated with the long-term

maintenance of the recorded media and the systems. Since it has been estimated

that present day computer magnetic tapes have a shelf life of approximately 20

years, it appears that the storage phase can be considered as a medium life term

program as previously defined.

73
The storage program consists of a static phase and a dynamic phase. The static

phase deals with the control of the ambient storage environment and the physical

housing of the magnetic media. The dynamic or active portion of the storage

program consists of measures which can be undertaken, often on a scheduled basis,

to prevent, to seek out, and to circumvent the loss of stored data due to the physical

distortion or chemical deterioration of the media. The dynamic portion of the

storage phase can extend the life of the data well beyond the medium term if it is deemed feasible and necessary.

(1) Static Phase

The static measures consist of maintaining a proper temperature, humidity,

cleanness, and security environment for the stored tapes. A good storage

environment is one which approximates the characteristics of a tape

measurement laboratory (for example, see sec. 5.2-(5)). Although the very

high class clean room conditions which are produced, for example, with

laminar air flow systems through HEPA filters (see sec. 5.1) are not

needed, positive internal air pressure systems in the storage areas are

highly recommended. This wiU prevent the intrusion of external dust into

these areas. Whenever possible, the temperature and humidity of the

storage area should be close to that of the operating computer environment

' in order to avoid subjecting the tapes to large ambient changes when they

are transferred from the vault to the computer installation. If possible,

the vault temperature and humidity should be within +2.8^0 (+5*^F) and

+5% RH of the computer room's T-H environment.

There are commercial organizations available that provide secure storage

vault services for computer magnetic tapes, microfilms, and paper. They

are often located underground in order to protect the stored materials

' against explosion. They are held at a constant temperature and humidity

and typically employ electronically filtered air systems. The use of these

commercial repositories24 is very valuable if a redundant storage approach

is taken, i.e., duplicate tapes are made for either all or part of the tape

library and stored in various locations as a precautionary measure.

It has been found that a magnetic field supplies the only kind of energy

that can cause undetected data destruction without any accompanying

physical distortion or damage to the magnetic storage media (see sees. 1.11-1.12). It has been determined experimentally that there is no need to

shield the stored data against x-rays, high voltage fields, nuclear radiation,

high frequency fields, or light energy (see sees. 1.9-1.10). Note that a spacing of 76 mm (3.0 in) is sufficient to protect the recorded media

against magnetic fields which are far more intense than are ever* found in a normal environment, or that can be produced by a concealable permanent

magnet.

24commercial storage facilities for computer magnetic media can often be located

through the Yellow pages of the telephone directory (see sec. 1.2-(33)).

74
Finally, security measures should be undertaken to protect the tape vault

against unwarranted intrusion or catastrophic damage. This is done with

monitoring devices such as magnetometers and properly insulated vault

construction which can protect the tapes against fire hazards. Fire has

been found to be the greatest threat to the magnetic tape repository.

(2) Recommendations (Static Phase)

(a) Maintain vault temperatures in the range of approximately 15.6<^C

(60OF) to 26.70C (80OF).25

(b) Maintain a vault humidity range of from 40% to 60%. 25

(c) Maintain the vault temperature and humidity within +2. S^C (+50F) and

+5% RH of the T-H of the computer installation.

(d) Employ positive internal air pressure systems to reduce dust

contamination in the vault.

(e) Use commercial or other alternate vault systems for redundant tape

storage of vital tapes if possible (see sec. 1.2-(33)).

(f) Store tapes in canisters in an upright (vertical) position. Seal the

canisters in polyethylene envelopes.

(g) Maintain vault security against entry by unauthorized personnel (see

sec. 1.12-(4)).

(h) Use magnetometer detection for controlled entry of permanent

magnets into the vault area. See section 1.12 for methods for

protecting the stored media against magnetic fields.

(i) Observe all of the fire safety recommendations listed in section 1.7. For master and vital tapes, consider the specialized vaults

recommended in section 1.7-(5).

(j) Consider the potential for vault area flooding and fire fighting when

designing the installation (see sec. 1.8-(8)).

(k) Carbon dioxide (CO2), Halon, and water are permissible for fire

extinguishing. Large plastic sheets should be kept on hand in order to cover the tape racks and reduce water damage in case of a fire or an

inadvertent water sprinkler discharge.

25Note that these temperature-humidity conditions for long-term archival storage

are more stringent than those given in section 1.4-(1). These recommendations are applicable to computer tapes which were produced prior to 1972 and therefore

require closer tolerances.

75
Dynamic Phase

The dynamic portion of the storage program consists of scheduled active

measures which are instituted in order to improve the chance of survival of

stored magnetic computer tapes and their contents. These measures

include tape cleaning, tape rewinding, physical inspection, recopying of key

tapes, and scheduled reading of sample tapes from all of the tape files.

It has been found that if tapes are exercised by being wound and rewound

on an annual or semiannual basis, then many incipient tape errors can be

delayed or circumvented. The rewinding process which should be

performed at normal operating tape speeds, will remove some of the

stresses which have built up in the tape pack during the storage interval

(see sec. 7.4).

Temporary errors can often be removed by cleaning and rewinding the

tape, while permanent errors, which are caused by defects such as fused

surface debris, missing oxide, deep dimples, scratches and creases, are not

removable (see definitions in sec. 3.1). It has been found that temporary

tape errors tend to become permanent if they exist in storage for a long

time. Usually a small sample drawn from a large tape file is representative of the tapes in that same file. It is recommended that a random sample of tapes from each fUe should be read on an annual basis

and checked for permanent errors. If a number of permanent errors have

developed in the sample tapes, it is necessary to read through the entire

file from which they were drawn and recopy or replace all defective tapes.

Computer installation managers will sometimes recopy important tapes on

a semiannual or annual basis as a normal routine [8]. Even if there are no permanent errors found on a stored master or vital tape, it may stiU be

feasible to recopy the data onto a newer state-of-the-art tape and to

rehabilitate the original tape for future use in less critical scratch

applications than long-term archival storage.

As an optional measure, in lieu of, or in conjunction with the random

sampling approach, place a number of control tapes into storage along with

each major group of archival tapes. They should emanate from the same

tape lots and be recorded and wound on the same transports as the regular

stored tapes. The number of control tapes should also be based on the size

of the individual archival groupings and importance of the data. The

condition of these tapes and their data can be examined on a regular basis

and used to monitor the condition of the archival tapes.

The dynamic program phase recommendations should be reexamined and

revised at intervals in order to accommodate the continuing teclmological

changes and improvements in magnetic media, their associated equipment,

and recording methods. These factors may eventually make less stringent

archival handling methods a possibility.

The institution of a full scale dynamic handling program in an organization

with a large tape archive can be very expensive since it may require an

organizational unit with additional personnel and equipment for performing

the operations. As an efficiency measure, it may be suggested that the

76
stored media can be classified as a function of their relative importance

and that the scheduled procedures can then be based upon these

classifications. That is, the frequency of reading, testing, cleaning,

exercising, and recopying wiU depend upon the value category which is assigned to the tape data. The organization and scheduling procedures

particularly in the case of large archives, can be handled very effectively

under the control of a Tape Management System (see sees. 4.1 to 4.3).

Testing may be performed non-destructively with the software system

described in section 4.4.

Recommendations (Dynamic Phase)

(a) If possible, maintain the necessary equipment and perform the

scheduled care and handling procedures directly in the archive

environment. This minimizes the physical hazards and the

temperature and humidity variations which the tapes can be subjected

to in transit. If a tape has been transported from an operational area

to an archive, permit it to relax for 24 hours in the new environment

before it is used (alternately, use sec. 1.5-(4)). Perform step (c)

before replacing the tape into its normal rack position in the vault.

(b) Maintain all of the required equipment such as magnetic tape

transports and cleaners (see sec. 3.2) in a clean and properly adjusted

condition. Check for points of wear in the tape head and guidance

system which can cause tape damage (see sec. 1.17). Clean the entire

system immediately after a defective tape has been run, especially if it has shed coating materials. Make certain that the transport

components are not defective and have not become magnetized;

degauss regularly (see sec. 1.12-(5)).

(c) Exercise each stored tape with a full forward and reverse pass at

normal speeds on an annual or semiannual scheduled basis. Use a constant tension or programmed tension wind at normal tape speeds.

It is advantageous to perform this exercise on a tape cleaner with good

winding characteristics since it will accomplish a dual function; i.e.,

cleaning plus exercising.

(d) Read at least one tape from each small tape file and a 3% random

sample from each large tape file on an annual basis. If any permanent

read errors have developed in these sample tapes, then the entire file

is suspect and should be rechecked. The data on any tape which has

developed permanent read errors should be recopied onto a new reel of

tape; these procedures are absolutely necessary for master tapes. A

recheck should also be performed on those tapes which emanate from

the same manufactured lot as the defective tape. If possible,

carefully inspect the condition of the machine or machines which

recorded these defective tapes since they may have caused the error problems. Backup files are very valuable for recovering data lost due

to permanent read errors.

(e) Set up a schedule for checking the condition of the media and the data

on the optional control tapes described in sections 2.1.2-(3) and

77
1.2-(28). This will give an indication of the condition of the associated

archival groups.

(fX Tapes which have developed temporary errors (see sec. 3.1) should be

cleaned and reread. Consider recopying tapes on which a large number

of temporary errors have developed in storage since this could be a

sign of coating deterioration. Other tapes from the same lot should be

rechecked.

(g) As an option, recopy master tapes on an annual basis regardless of

their condition [8]. Regular tapes may be recopied after a longer

period of time in archives. It has been suggested (optimistically) that

recopying should be done at least once every ten years for the present

day, state-of-the-art computer tapes.

(h) Inspect the tapes for irregular windings, creases, warped edges,

discoloration, or other physical anomalies (see sec. 1.2-(21)). Clean

and read those tapes which are suspect and recopy them if necessary.

If there has been a serious loss of environmental controls during

long-term storage, an extensive visual check and rereading should be

performed on aU vital tapes.

2.1.3 Reactivation Phase

When the tapes which have been in long-term storage are brought out to the

computer installation from the vault, they should be permitted to adjust themselves

to the ambient temperature and humidity of that environment for approximately 24

hours before being placed into operation. Alternately apply section 1.5-(4) if accurate T-H data are available. The operating environments at the archives and

the computer installation should be maintained as clean areas by using positive

internal air pressures and observing all other clean operating guidelines (see sec.

1.3).

It is possible that data losses will occur on reactivated media even though proper care and handling procedures were observed during the preparation and storage

phases (see sees. 2.1.1 and 2.1.2). These losses can be caused by improper random

sampling processes (see sec. 2.1.2-(4)) or possibly by a an environmental failure,

such as an accidental air conditioning outage which occurred at some time during

the storage phase. They may also be caused by a defective tape coating, possibly

due to prior hydrolysis (see sees. 2.2.1 and 7.1) which led to a breakdown in the

coating chemistry during storage.

It is also possible that the operational characteristics of the data preparation tape

transports are sufficiently different from the reactivating transports that marginal

operations result. For example, differences in head wrap angle, tape tension, and

guidance systems may produce data problems. It is an obvious advantage if the

same transports are used for both data preparation and reactivation.

There are some corrective measures which can be undertaken in the event that data

loss problems are found to have developed during the reactivation phase. For

example, it was noted previously that tapes which are recorded at 32 bpmm (800 bpi)

in the NRZI mode tend to lose data easily. Cold flow distortion and skewing of the

78
tape is believed to be the principal cause for data loss at this density. Sometimes

the skewed tape can be sufficiently straightened by rewinding it at normal speeds,

for say ten times, and then relaxing the tape for one or two days before finally

winding and rewinding it several more times on the transport which wiU be used to

read the tape. This same procedure can be initiated before reading a tape if it is noted that the tape windings appear to be irregular with some tape edges protruding

from the pack.

There is a wide range of electronic and mechanical transport adjustments which can

be performed by technical personnel which wiU recover marginal tape information.

Quite often a tape which is difficult to read on one transport can be read easily on

another. Some tape drives which have the capability of reading backwards can often

read a balky computer tape which cannot be read in the forward direction. The

reactivating tape transports should be degaussed on a scheduled basis (see sec.

1.12-(5)).

It should be noted that the reactivation phase recommendations are particularly

important for computer tapes which are stored for one year or longer.

(1) Recommendations for the Reactivation Phase

(a) Relax the reactivated tapes in the computer environment for 24 hours

before attempting the read process. If possible, the computer room

temperature and humidity should be maintained within +2.8*^C (+5*^F)

and +5% RH of the vault's T-H environment.

(b) If read difficulties are encountered, perform a visual check of the

reactivated tape (see sec. 1.2-(21)). If layers of tape appear irregular,

folded, or separated or if there are protrusions of individual tape

layers from the pack edges, then wind and rewind the tape twice over

its entire length at normal (slow) speeds. This can be done on a tape

transport or cleaner/ winder unit. Now relax the tape for at least one more day, then wind and rewind the tape several times before

attempting the read process.

(c) Maintain all of the magnetic tape transports and cleaner/winders in a clean and properly adjusted condition. Check for points of wear in the

tape head and guidance systems which can cause tape damage (see sec.

1.17).

(d) Clean the entire tape transport immediately after a defective tape has

been run, especially if it has shed coating materials and other debris.

This debris can propagate to the following tapes and cause additional

error problems (see sec. 1.3-(12) and table 1.).

(e) Immediately clean and attempt to recopy the reactivated tape which

has produced the debris in (d), particularly if it was caused by coating

breakdown or deterioration.

(f) When reactivating tapes, avoid using tape transports with known

marginal or poor performance histories.

79
(g) Reactivated tapes which display skew losses due to longitudinal

distortion can sometimes be corrected by performing step (b).

(h) If the read problems persist, then if possible, attempt to read and

recopy the problem tapes on the transports which originally recorded

the data. If unsuccessful, try several other tape transports for reading

the balky tapes.

(i) Technical personnel can often recover marginal tape data through

electronic and mechanical adjustments of the tape transports. The

data may have decreased in signal level due to magnetized components

on a tape transport on which the tapes have been run or due to

exposure to stray magnetic fields (see sec. 1.12).

(j) Some tape transports (for example, 63 bpmm (1600 bpi),

phase- encoded units) are capable of reading data in the reverse

direction; this mode of operation can often be tried in order to read a

balky tape which has failed in the forward read mode.

(k) Since data reconstruction processes from a faulty tape can be costly,

it is much more efficient to produce a new tape copy from a backup

tape file, if one exists.

2.2 Long-Term Archival Storage - Small Sample Population Case

This section is based on a comprehensive study [22] dealing with the archival

properties of magnetic tape storage media such as instrumentation and computer

tapes. The study presents the results of an experimental and theoretical program

which was performed with a small number of media and is the most extensive

publication of this type which has been found to date.

The degree of confidence with which these results can be extrapolated to include

large, variable source, computer tape populations is presently unknown. However,

some of the recommendations and methods offered by this study are sufficiently

unique to warrant consideration for all cases.

This smaU sample population section is presented in the following sequence:

2.2.1 Background Theory for Small Sample Population Recommendations

2.2.2 Preparation Phase

(1) Quality of Tapes That are Chosen

(2) Physical Preparation Prior to Long-Term Storage

2.2.3 Storage Phase

(1) Static Recommendations

(2) Dynamic Recommendations

2.2.4 Reactivation Phase Recommendations

80
.1 Bacl^ound Theory for Small Sample Case Recommendations

All of the recommendations in this small sample study [22] are based on magnetic tapes which utilize the prevailing polyurethane binder systems,

polyethylene terephthalate (i.e., mylar) base films, and gamma ferric oxide

(y-Fe203) magnetic particles. The choice of the polyurethane binders is based on their tensile strength, toughness, abrasion resistance, and adhesion

properties.

The reaction of magnetic particles such as gamma ferric oxide (y-Fe203),

chromium dioxide (Cr02)> ir*on particles (Fe), and various cobalt-doped gamma

ferric oxide particle structures to different temperatures and humidities was

studied. The following conclusions were reached:

(1) A magnetic tape composed of y-Fe203 does not exhibit long-term

demagnetization or print-through when used in digital recording

applications of up to 1300 bpmm (33,000 bpi) and stored in nominal

environments.

(2) The archivability of magnetic tape employing y-Fe203 particles is reasonably guaranteed at 20OC (680F) or cooler temperatures, and 50% RH.

These conclusions are extremely important since y-Fe203 is by far the

most widely used particle for computer magnetic tapes. It was found that

chromium dioxide and Co-y-Fe203 might not be as suitable for archival

purposes due to their sensitivity to environmental conditions.

(3) The study noted that the effects of time, temperature, and humidity on the

magnetically recorded signal (on the y-Fe203) are negligible even though

their effects on the binders and base films may be severe. It was

concluded that the tape recording format may be chosen for optimum

storage density independently of archival environmental considerations.

A hydrolysis study (which is a study of chemical reaction of water with the

polymer material) was made with tapes employing polyurethane binders. The

effects of hydrolytic action on tape binders was studied in-depth [28], [29], [30]

and the rate of hydrolysis was found to depend upon the binder constituents. In

hydrolytic action, the combining of the atmospheric water vapor with the

coating esters produces carbolic acid and alcohol. This ester reaction causes

binder weakening and the ensuing gumminess and breakdown of the tape

coating. Experiments have shown that the hydrolysis process is reversible. This

indicated the possibility of tape binder rejuvenation; i.e., a binder which had

been deteriorated by hydrolysis, could be restored to a normal condition by

storage in a cool and dry environment. For example, the hydrolysis equations

showed that a tape which is stored at 270C (BO^F) and 80% RH wiU suffer a 16% binder consumption in less than one year in this T-H environment. The

same equations show that it is a reversible process and that it wiU require

approximately 1.5 years for the binder to return to its original state. This is considered to be an impractical length of time to wait for binder recovery.

The zero hydrolysis curve in figure 3. (courtesy [22]) represents those conditions

for which a binder that has an initial degradation of 6.7% wiU not be further

degraded under any T-H conditions along that curve. However, for values of

81
temperature and humidity below the zero hydrolysis curve in (Zone 1), the

hydrolysis rate is negative; i.e., presumably here the binder will be rejuvenating

as ester bonds are regenerating. In Zones 2 and 3, the hydrolysis process

continues to consume the binder materials, leading to eventual binder

breakdown. Zone 3 must be avoided as indicated in figure 3. A key conclusion and recommendation derived from this chart is: for tapes

stored at 180C (650F) and 40% RH, the polyurethane binder consumption is zero; and most importantly this is also a fairly comfortable environment for the

handling personnel.

Additional study will be required in order to determine the relationship of

binder degradation due to hydrolysis with an associated increase in data error

rates. The effects of the recording methods, the detection scheme, and the

error correction techniques must also be considered when analyzing the error rate processes.

As noted in sections 7.3 and 7.4 due to their creep and stress relaxation

characteristics, viscoelastic materials which are wound under tension require

occasional rewinding in order to minimize deleterious effects such as tape

cinching. The required rewind frequency has been found to be a multivariabled

function of the storage time, the temperature, the magnitude and duration of

variations in temperature and humidity, winding tensions and tape speeds, reel

size, interlayer friction coefficients, and the reel acceleration during rewind.

It is noted that if a 50% pressure reduction in the tape pack due to creep and

stress relaxation is an indicator of the need to rewind the tape, then an

, approximate period of six months between rewinds is deduced as the proper

scheduling. It also notes, however, that tapes which are stored under well

controlled temperature and humidity conditions could be stored for much longer

periods without rewinding. In fact, a period between rewinds of 3.5 years is recommended provided that the tapes have been maintained in a controlled

storage environment as follows (see rectangle in fig. 3):

Temperatures: 170C (620F) to 20OC (680F)

Relative Humidity: 35% to 45%

If the environment cannot be maintained in these ranges, then the conventional

semiannual or annual rewind schedule is recommended. Also if large

environmental changes have occurred, then even more frequent rewinds may be

advisable.

A significant portion of [22] was devoted to the study of the physical and

mechanical aspects, both theoretical and experimental, of the tape reel under

various winding tensions and pressures. It was decided that if there were a method for measuring the amount of tape pack winding pressures which exists

at any time in a stored reel, then an economical and efficient rewind frequency

schedule could be developed. Several different approaches to the pressure

measurement were considered including: the correlation of the speed of wave

propagation through the reel as a function of winding tightness, the

measurement of the reel hub deformation with an attached strain gauge, and

finally the insertion of friction tabs into the reel during winding. This last

technique was considered as the most promising approach and a considerable

amount of testing and experimentation was performed with these friction tabs.

82
10 -

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 112 120 (°F)

-17.8 -12.2-6.7 -1.1 4.4 10.0 15.6 21.1 26.7 32.2 37.8 44.4 48.9 (°C)

Temperature

Fig. 3

83
The basic process consists of measuring the dislodging pull force required to

extract these friction tabs from the reel winding using spring scales.

Approximately, one dozen tabs are inserted into each reel in a spiral

arrangement. The tabs are typically .025 mm (.001 in) thick, 6.35 mm (0.25 in)

wide and 50.8 mm (2.0 in) long. Tests were performed at different winding

torques, decelerations, winding speeds, and temperatures. Interestingly, it was

found that for constant speed windings at different torques, that a 20%

reduction in winding tension may be responsible for a 50% reduction in tab pull

forces. It was theorized that this relationship was caused by interlayer, trapped

air which developed during winding. It was also found that there was a specific

tab pull force value below which the tape reel would display interlayer slippage

(and cinching) upon deceleration. The appearance of this pull force value can

be used as an indicator of the need for tape rewinding (retensioning) due to the

reduction in the layer- to-layer pressure.

The use of the friction tabs was followed with an analysis program which

compared theoretical and experimental results. A method for estimating the

periods between tape rewinds was given high priority. It was determined that if the tape is wound at a higher temperature than the storage temperature, or wound at a lower humidity than the storage humidity then the allowable period

between rewinds is increased. This is due to the reduction in both the reel

tensions and the tape creep.

2.2 Preparation Phase

) Quality of Tapes that are Chosen

(a) State-of-the-art (i.e., late production types) of computer tapes appear to

be potentially successful candidates for archival storage purposes.

(b) Optimally, the tapes should be new and should have been maintained in a

cool and dry environment prior to purchase.

(c) If possible, it should be ascertained that the archival candidate tapes have

not been subjected to any environment which could have caused

polyurethane binder deterioration due to binder hydrolysis.

(d) The magnetic particle material used in the computer tape should be gamma

ferric oxide (>'-Fe203), at present, since its ability to maintain its

magnetization for long periods of time has been established. No other

presently available particles have yet proven to be of equal long-term

stability at this time for similar temperature- humidity ranges.

(e) Use backcoated tapes. Backcoated tapes provide increased interlayer

friction which reduces the probability of layer- to-layer slippage due to

tape relaxation during storage. An additional benefit for backcoated tapes

has been noted during SRM calibration procedures by the ICST Computer

Storage Media Group: the signal amplitude levels reproduced from these

tapes are generally more uniform, with much smaller end- to- end signal

level rise effects than are usually observed with non-backcoated tapes.

84
(f) It is not feasible for tape acceptability criteria to include the individual

tape binder constituents since they are almost always considered to be

company proprietary. It is suggested that the most reasonable constituent

type qualification tests are achieved indirectly through the measurement

of the hydrolysis tendencies [28], [2 9], [3 O] of the binder systems and the

stability of the magnetic particles. (Note: It is reasonable to assume that

these media will also be subjected to the overall requirements of the GSA

computer tape specification W-T-0051C which is described in sec. 2.1.1.)

(g) Candidate archival tapes should be unsealed and allowed to relax for three

days in the storage environment of 170C (620F) to 20OC (680F), 35% to

45% RH for several days after receipt. This conditioning is particularly

necessary if the intermediate transit environments are not known. It also

allows the tape to come into hygroscopic equilibrium, in the storage

environment. After relaxation, the tapes should be given two complete,

slow speed passes and then evaluated for dropout errors. It is suggested

that the large population error criteria in section 2.1.1-(3) be considered.

If there is a large error rate, a cleaning pass is suggested, followed by tape

evaluation.

(h) The following test is recommended as a means for testing tape binder

integrity: The tape is stored for 72 hours in an environment of 49^0 + 30C

(120OF + 50F), 80% to 90% RH, and then stabilized for 16 hours at 24^0

(75OF), 50% RH. The test results as applied to a computer tape are as foUows: there should be less than a doubling of the original dropout rate

and very little coating shedding in an acceptable tape which is scheduled

for archival use after being subjected to the preceding environmental

conditions. It is noted that an archival tape candidate, as a minimum,

should pass this 72 hour test.

(2) Physical Preparation Prior to Long-Term Storage

(a) Store the archival tapes in a dust-free environment in order to reduce

dropout accumulation.

(b) Tape reels should have aluminum flanges for long-term support.

(c) Place in well-sealed polyethylene bags in order to prevent long-term

binder lubricant evaporation, and perhaps reduce binder degradation

tendencies.

(d) Tapes should be boxed and stored in a vertical standing position.

(e) Tape reels that are not in canisters should be secured with wrap-arounds at

aU times, both in and out of storage in order to protect against tape edge

damage due to flange compression or distortion.

(f) Always store tapes, with their windings oriented in the standard

ready- to-read or write position after a slow speed rewind. This applies

t)oth before and after recording the archival computer tapes. Constant

tension winding appears to be satisfactory for computer tapes.

85
(g) A slightly higher winding area temperature compared to the storage area temperature, or a slightly lower winding area humidity compared to the

storage area humidity will prolong the allowable period between tape

rewinds. It is suggested however that only relatively smaU area

differences, i.e., 2.8QC (50F) and 10% RH should be allowed in order that

tape relaxation times wiU be minimized when passing from the storage area to the computer area.

2.2.3 Storage Phase

(1) Static Recommendations

(a) The tapes should be stored in archives within the T-H range of:

Temperature: ll^C (620F) to 20^0 (68OF)

Relative Humidity: 35% to 45%

and optimally at:

Temperature = IS.Z^C (650F)

Relative Humidity = 40%

Note: The optimal temperature and humidity are considered to be a key

finding of this research program [22].

(2) Dynamic Recommendations

(a) Imbed friction tabs on a semimonthly basis into a chosen group of

unrecorded test tapes of the same type and size as the actual recorded

archival tapes. These tapes must be wound with the same tensions and

tension-patterns as the recorded stored tapes. Store these tapes in

archives and perform a tab pull test also on a semimonthly basis in order to

determine when the critical layer- to-layer pressure has been reached and

rewinding is necessary. (Note: Although [22] does not give quantitative

information relative to critical tab pull forces for computer tapes, it does

offer background information which can be used to set up individual test

programs by interested organizations.)

' (b) Rewind each tape in archives after it has been stored for 3.5 years, providing that:

1. The storage area temperature and humidity has remained at its

optimal value given in section 2.2.3-(l) for the entire period, and,

j 2. The friction tabs pull forces have not yet reached their critical values.

Rewind each tape immediately after the critical value has been

reached, regardless of its time in storage.

2.2.4 Reactivation Phase Recommendations

(1) Give tapes two full forward and reverse passes at nominal (slow) speeds before

attempting the read process.

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(2) It is advantageous to perform this read process in a controlled environment as

close to the archival environment as possible; otherwise permit the unsealed

tapes to relax in the new environment for at least three days before attempting

the read process.

(3) If environmental damage to the tape is suspected (i.e., such as an increase in

binder hydrolysis), store the tapes unsealed for three days in the archival

storage area at the recommended temperatures and humidities (see sec. 2.2.3).

Then reread the tapes and clean if the error rates are high.

(4) When the reading is completed, reseal the tapes and return to storage, if required.

Author's Note: It is suggested that the recommendations given for the large

population cases in section 2.1; i.e., for the material preparation phase, the static

and dynamic storage phases, and the reactivation phase, be selectively applied in

conjunction with these small sample (sec. 2.2) recommendations. This refers to

those large population recommendations which are not in conflict with any of these

preceding small sample recommendations.

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3. Scheduled Maintenance of Computer Magnetic Tapes

The scheduled maintenance of computer magnetic tape libraries and vaults consists

of principal activities such as tape cleaning, tape evaluation (or certification), and

tape rehabilitation (see sees. 1.13 and 1.14). It also includes associated activities

such as tape exercising and cutting (stripping). The cleaning process removes loose

error producing debris from the tape before it becomes permanently fused into the

tape surface; the evaluation and certification process detects, counts, and locates

the errors on the tape surface; the rehabilitation process incorporates several of the

preceding activities for the purpose of restoring computer tapes to a useful status.

3.1 Computer Tape Errors

Many serious error problems which are encountered during computer tape use are caused by the self-contamination of the media. That is, the media itself produces a

large amount of the debris wear products which become redeposited and

permanently fused into the tape coating (see sec. 1.3-(12)); these eventually cause

dropout errors and data losses. The errors result from the subsequent read/write

head-to-tape separation caused by the surface irregularities which have been

produced by the lumps of embedded tape debris. It has been found that once these

wear products have started to coUect on the surface of the tape, the rate of

production of additional wear products increases rapidly and the performance of the

tape also deteriorates rapidly. In fact, the deterioration of the tape performance is usually more a function of the redeposition of these wear products than the

condition of the tape surface as related to tape usage or coating thickness. Note

that each system retry which is necessitated by a tape write-skip error is in itself a

debris producing activity; therefore, the more write-skip errors there are, the faster

is their rate of increase when retry methods over an area are applied. The principal

purpose of the tape cleaning process is to remove the loose debris particles from the

surface of the tape before they become fused into the surface and reach excessive

or critical quantities. However, it should be noted that although the useful life of a computer tape is extended by a regular tape cleaning program, there still remains a slower but steady growth in permanent errors during the cleaning program. That is,

the fused debris error count continues to increase towards an irreducible value for

which it is no longer cost effective to clean or to continue to use this tape (see sec.

3.1.1(c)).

Permanent errors on magnetic computer tapes may be defined either as a physical

or a software type as foUows:

Type (a) - Physical: errors which are caused by surface defects such as fused,

irremovable particles in the tape surface. Tapes containing these permanently

fused particles are usually acceptable for continued use provided that the

particles don't exceed a specified quantity which is established by the individual

organization. However, these particles can cause tape rejection if they are located as described in (b) below. The following two permanent error types

usually result in a tape reject during operation or rehabilitation:

Type (b) - Software: permanent errors which consist of a specific number of

consecutive write skip errors or retries. For example, several major software

(operating) systems define such a permanent write error as one in which 15

consecutive write skip errors occur approximately 0.1 m (4 in) apart over a

88
1.5 m (5 ft) len^h of computer tape. Note however that in these systems it is possible to have a non-rejected tape with 15 write skip errors (caused by type

(a) defects) provided that they are not located consecutively as defined in this

paragraph.

Type (c) - Physical: gross errors which are the result of permanent physical

tape damage such as creases, folded edges, or missing coating material which

extend over a length of the tape. Typically, these regions are detected as gross

errors when they are approximately 6.3 mm (0.25 in) long (see table 4.).

Temporary errors are usually defined as errors which are caused by loose particles

whose position can be shifted by the normal sweeping action of the tape against the

head or the guides. However, if these particles are not removed through cleaning,

they multiply rapidly and eventually become permanently fused into the surface. If properly placed, these temporary errors can eventually lead to the reject defined in

type (b) above.

The basic formula which determines the head- to- tape separation signal loss caused

by the debris particles or other surface protrusions (see sec. 8.1-eq(4)) indicates that

for the same size debris, the signal loss (in dB) will be much greater for 246 bpmm

(6250 bpi) recording than for 32 bpmm (800 bpi). Therefore, tapes which are used

for higher densities are more susceptible to signal loss (drop-outs) and must be kept

free of debris.

3.1.1 Scheduled Maintenance Cost Factors

(a) The Scheduled Computer Tape Maintenance Recommendations in section 1.14

outline a number of optional factors which can be used for deciding when

specific maintenance activities should be initiated. These include:

. The number of times the tapes have been mounted to date.

. The number of times the tapes have been cleaned or evaluated to date.

. The operating condition of the tape; i.e., the number of tape errors.

. The expiration date of the tape data.

. The length of time the tape has been in storage.

. Regular maintenance of new tapes before use.

The decision parameters which underlie a particular scheduled tape

maintenance program are also based upon both an operational and a cost/benefit analysis of the organizations needs. For example, the number of

allowable errors before tape maintenance is performed, must be weighted

differently by an organization in which data errors affect specific output

quantities, say, the amount of a Social Security check; while data errors which

enter into a statistical data base such as a Census program are individually of

much less significance in their impact on the final results.

89
The frequency of required tape maintenance is also influenced by both the age

and history of the tapes, and occasionally by the manufacturing source of the

media. If the data relative to the tape errors result in statistical distributions

which indicate problems with particular types or brands of tape, or modes of

operation, then scheduling adjustments and other actions can be instituted.

Extensive record keeping of the chosen factors may be required in order to

produce the scheduled flow of tapes into the maintenance process. This record

keeping can be performed by Tape Management Systems (see sees. 4.1 to 4.3),

by error-logging software systems which are capable of testing tape surfaces

on-line (for example, see sec. 4.4), or by manual check-off systems (in small

user organizations - see sec. 1.2-(19)).

The cost/benefit analysis includes factors such as:

. Maintenance equipment costs.

. Maintenance personnel costs.

. Contractor costs if performed by an outside organization.

. The size of both the active library and the tape archives.

. The number of inactive tapes which could be rehabilitated back into active

use; i.e., potential savings on the costs of new tapes.

. The total maintenance costs per tape compared to new tape replacement

costs; i.e., at which point is it cost effective to purchase a new computer

tape rather than to continue with the cleaning, evaluation, and rehabilitation

processes. This maintenance versus replacement breakpoint depends upon

factors such as the average number of write errors per active tape and their

annual cost in CPU time for the particular operating system.

Whereas permanent errors type (b) and (c) in section 3.1 normally lead to a job

abort and the rejection of a computer tape, type (a) write skip errors constitute a key cost item for non-rejected tapes which remain in a continuing operating

mode. These operational costs are a function of the costs of the write-skip

retry processes which are software dependent.

Since the number of type (a) write skip errors increases rapidly with tape use, eventually the number of these errors will reach a value at which it is no longer

economically feasible to use a tape in this condition. An estimate of both the

yearly losses due to write skip errors and when a tape should be replaced, due to

write-skip error accumulation, can be obtained for a particular installation as

follows:

(1) Compute the average number of write skip errore per day based upon the

computer printouts from the error-logging system.

(2) Compute the cost of a single type (a) write skip error. In making this

computation, base the single write skip error cost on the time which is lost

while automatic, write retries are performed in the write error area. This

90
is dependent upon both the operational costs per unit time of the CPU as well as the system software; i.e., the number of retries made before

skipping ahead or the number of retries before the final decisions made, is software dependent.

(3) Multiply (1) by (2). This gives the average costs for write skip errors each

day.

(4) Multiply (3) by the number of operating days per annum. This gives the

average total money loss yearly due to write skip errors alone. This may

be a very revealing amount which can be useful for making decisions

relative to the initiation of a scheduled tape maintenance program.

(5) Determine what percentage of the tapes in the total active library are mounted each day. From this, calculate the average number of times a tape will probably be mounted per annum by multiplying the above

percentage by the number of operating days. Equal probability for each

tape is assumed.

(6) Multiply (5) by (2). This gives the average write skip error cost per annum

for each active tape assuming only a single write skip error on each

individual tape each time it is mounted. Replace a tape when the

calculated number of its accumulated write errors times the average

yearly single error cost is equal to the cost of a new tape. This is reasonable, since with further usage, the operating costs for the tape will

now begin to exceed the new tape costs.

3.2 Types of Computer Magnetic Tape Maintenance Equipment

The characteristics of some of the available tape maintenance equipment such as cleaners, certifiers, and evaluators will now be discussed. The following

descriptions are not intended to be all inclusive since there are many models of each

instrument, and many other technical features available. Information relative to

specific models can be obtained from the equipment manufacturers (see

[10] and [11]).

3.2.1 Tape Cleaners

A tape cleaner typically has a reel-to-reel configuration which is similar to a tape

transport. Its basic functions are to clean and then properly wind and tension the

computer magnetic tape. Recorded tapes are normally not erased during the

cleaning process.

Typical cleaners for 12.7 mm (0.5 in) magnetic computer tapes will accommodate

tape reels which are up to 267 mm (10.5 in) in diameter. These machines transport

the tape over both tissue wiping stations as well as sharp cleaning blades. Some

units pass both sides of the tape over the tissues on the forward and reverse passes;

this removes the debris from the back (mylar) side of the tape before the particles are transferred to the coating side. Other units remove the debris with vacuum

devices which are incorporated into their cleaning blades. These blades are made of

various configurations and materials which include: gemstones, such as sapphire;

self-sharpening, stainless steel, perforated metal grids; rotating, self-sharpening,

91
slotted, stainless steel cylinders; rotating flexible stainless steel bands which

continuously contact their sharp edge against the tape surface; and simple stainless

steel blade types.

Each type of blade mechanism has advantages and disadvantages. For example, the

simple stainless steel blade displays superior cleaning performance but has an extremely short life, while a slotted steel cylinder has a very long life but does not

clean as effectively as a blade. In addition, the simple blade when worn is more

likely to cause tape damage than a slotted cylinder blade. One unit has an automatic blade life indicator which prevents tape edge damage that can be caused

by irregularly worn blades.

Most cleaners maintain uniform tape winding tensions in both the forv^^ard and

reverse directions in order to produce a good tape pack. In addition, some tape

cleaners apply a greater than normal tape tension during the cleaning pass, and a normal tape tension during the rewind cycle; this produces a more effective cleaning

cycle. The tape winding speeds vary among different cleaning units. Some units are

relatively slow with speeds of 2.3 m/s (90 in/s) to 2.5 m/s (100 in/s) while others are capable of speeds up to 9.1 m/s (360 in/s) for faster production in large tape lots.

Some tape cleaners which are capable of erasing data have an automatic file protect

feature which prevents the accidental erasure of recorded tape information. Most

cleaning units are capable of BOT and EOT sensing as weU as automatic forward and

reverse features.

3.2.2 Tape Certifiers

A tape certifier typically has a reel-to-reel configuration which is similar to a tape

transport. Tape certification is performed in order to detect, count, and locate tape

errors, and then, if possible, repair the underlying defects so that the tape can be

replaced back into an active status. In addition to performing these specialized

operations, certifiers have the same basic tape cleaning capabilities as a typical

tape cleaner. Cleaning is normally performed prior to testing in order to reduce or eliminate temporary error counts. Sometimes the cleaning is performed on the

forward tape pass, and the certification measurement is then performed on the

reverse pass. Typically, certifiers have 7 or 9 track read/write heads and will

operate at various selectable recording densities (see "Certifiers, Magnetic Tape -

[10]). Note that the error rate counts will usually increase as a function of

increasing recording density (see sec. 8.1-eq(4)).

During certification, previously recorded information is erased from the tape and

new pulse trains are written on each track; a read-while-write process is then

performed on each track of the tape under test. Although certification is normally

a data destructive process, it is possible to perform non-destructive testing with

some error- logging systems (for example, see sec. 4.4). Also, if a Clean Only mode

of operation is desired, then the write inhibit ring must be removed from the tape

reel; it must be inserted for the TEST mode. The certifier is usually calibrated with

a test tape so that the amplitude of the test signal is related to a specific preset

reference level. This level is usually traceable to one of the National Bureau of

Standards magnetic media Standard Reference Materials such as SRM 3200 or SRM

6250. In some cases, the reference level is related to an internal, organizational

tape signal level.

92
Upon readback, if the test signal amplitude falls a specific percentage below the

preset reference level, the certifier wiU retry the read/write processes over the

same location. Some certifiers allow for an adjustable number of retries, say, 0 to

12 times, before stopping for an examination at the defective area if the error

persists for the chosen number of retries. The track(s) on which the error occurs is also detected and recorded. When the certifier stops at the defect, the operator of

the unit can locate and examine the defect region microscopically. If possible, the

operator wiU attempt to remove the defect either with a chemical such as Freon TF

or by physically scraping the defect with a scalpel and then removing the residue

with Freon TF. This chemical is an excellent tape cleaner since it does not soften

the tape oxide or the backing, or damage rubber capstan idlers [21]. Certifiers can

also test for defects known as tape noise errors, skew errors, and level errors which

are caused by excessively low or high output signals.

Typically, if removable errors are encountered and repaired, the tapes can be

restored to full service. If only a few type (a) permanent errors (see sec. 3.1) are encountered, it is possible to return the tape to lower level scratch service, while if there are many type (a) permanent errors, the tape should be discarded.

3.2.3 Tape Evaluators/Testers

These instruments will perform most of the same cleaning/testing functions as tape

certifiers with the exception that they normally do not stop the tape when an error

is encountered unless an automatic stop feature is added as an extra instrument

function. Whereas a certifier is weU fitted to activities in the product test area of a media production plant where tape defect removal may be attempted, an

evaluator is weU fitted to a test area such as a tape rehabilitation center (see

sec. 3.3) in which tapes are tested on a go-no-go basis with no attempt at error removal.

The following is an example of the functions in one tape evaluator system: This

evaluator performs its cleaning and testing functions both in the forward winding

direction. The number of permitted errors depends upon organizational decisions;

for example, say only five consecutive write skip errors are permitted before the

tape is rejected. This evaluator contains an internal microprocessor which oversees

the tape evaluation, and the reporting and printing of the results. It records and

counts the total number of dropout errors, and provides a digital printout which

gives the location of these errors (in feet) from the Beginning of Tape (BOT) marker.

It will also measure the length of tape under test from the BOT to the EOT (End of

Tape) markers. This system winds the tape with a constant tension and can record

and perform measurements on either 7 or 9 track read/ write heads, at 32 bpmm

(800 bpi), 63 bpmm (1600 bpi), or 246 bpmm (6250 bpi).

The functional software characteristics of evaluators typically provide performance

which is designed to be compatible with the software for the computer tape drives

in use. For example, some widely used operating systems (such as OS and DOS) have

I/O software which does not call for tape backspacing in order to retry a tape write

error. Instead, the tape is moved forward 102 mm (4.0 in) after a write error is detected; then the data is rewritten and reread again. Now if 15 consecutive write

errors (skips) occur, the system will consider a permanent error to have occurred

and the job is aborted and the tape is rejected. It is therefore realistic and

advantageous to employ evaluators which perform their error search functions under

93
the same conditions as the organization's operating systems. There are various

evaluators available which do their error search in different ways including the

preceding non- backspacing mode. An example of the multiple error criteria which

can be tested for by a single evaluator is incorporated in table 4.

3.2.4 Miscellaneous Devices

In addition to the cleaners, certifiers, and evaluators, there are several other

instruments for use with computer magnetic tapes. One is the bulk ac tape eraser

or degausser; the other is the programmed tension winder. The bulk ac eraser will

remove aU previous magnetic recording from the computer tape and leave the media

in a fully demagnetized state with no magnetic bias remaining in either polarity.

This process is a form of anhysteric demagnetization. The programmed tension

winder produces a tension pattern throughout the tape pack that eliminates the zero

tension tape layers which lose their layer- to-layer friction and cause tape cinching

damage upon reel acceleration or deceleration by the transport. Programmed

tension winding is particularly useful prior to long-term or archival storage (see

sec. 7.4).

3.3 Tape Rehabilitation

As previously mentioned, the objective of tape rehabilitation is to restore used

computer magnetic tapes to a fuUy useful status. There are a number of

organizations which perform the complete tape rehabilitation process for smaller

companies that cannot justify the costs of the required equipment, or for larger

organizations for whom rehabilitation becomes a major undertaking. Typically, the

company which submits the tapes for rehabilitation will first recopy the data, which

it wishes to retain, onto new tapes prior to shipment for full rehabilitation. Some

equipment vendors have rental or leasing plans for their tape cleaners, certifiers,

and evaluators. There are also commercial contractors who will set up and operate

a rehabilitation facility directly at the user site for organizations with large tape

libraries. This permits the tapes to remain in their normal temperature-humidity

environment and eliminates potential shipping damages (see sec. 1.5). It is suggested that these contracting organizations can be of assistance in making initial

decisions relative to the cost/benefits and technical problems involved in setting up

a tape rehabilitation program.

An example of a rehabilitation process which is performed by a contractor on-site

for a large Federal agency tape user (Social Security Administration) has some of

the following features:

. Five thousand tapes are rehabilitated every 24 hours.

. Every 24 hours when data tapes are released for rehabilitation they are either

"cleaned only" or "cleaned and evaluated."

. All new tapes are cleaned and evaluated before first use.

. Upon completion of the rehabilitation processes, the contractor must perform

quality assurance testing and the agency will perform acceptance testing of

completed lots.

94
The following are some of the mandatory contract obligations, definitioas, and

activities which are observed and performed by the contractor:

3.3.1 Class of Work

(a) Clean only: During a clean only pass, the tape must be cleaned and then wound

at the proper tension onto a clean reel. Proper tension is a tension which is compatible with those of the Federal agency's tape transports. The original

external labels must remain on the clean reel or be recopied for placement onto

a new reel if the original reel is not used for the cleaned tape. Note that a "clean only" pass is always performed when the data is to be saved.

(b) Clean and evaluate : The tape must be given two complete passes; one through

a cleaning cycle and one through an evaluation cycle. The tape is then wound

onto a clean reel.

3.3.2 Product Requirements

The following contract requirements describe the final product of the facility, i.e., a

rehabilitated tape .

(a) Container : The container, be it canister, self- threading cartridge, or some

other device which protects the reel of tape, must be clean and free of

dents, cracks, or defects which might inhibit continued use of the container

for its intended purpose.

(b) Reel

(1) The reel must be free of nicks, cracks, warping, or other defects which

might inhibit continued use of the reel for its intended purpose.

(2) The reel must be clean. It must contain no other labels except the

following:

a. The manufacturer's label

b. The agency's volume serial number

c. The contractor's process number label

d. Green, yellow, and red dots (for track and density identification)

(3) The reel must have a properly installed write enable ring.

(c) Tape

(1) The tape must be in a range of the following track formats and

densities: 9- track, 63 bpmm (1600 bpi) and 246 bpmm (6250 bpi). The

color of the dot, or lack of any dot, indicates track and density

characteristics.

(2) The tape must be clean of all unbonded and substantially all self-bonded and environmental dirt, oxide, backing fibers, and other

foreign material on the tape surface, front, back, and edges.

95
(3) The tape must be free of all physical defects, including but not limited

to abrasion, tears, grooves, splicing, stretching, creases, and edge

damage.

(4) Tapes which are rejected at 246 bpmm (6250 bpi) may not be retested

63 bpmm (1600 bpi), unless directed to do so by the contracting

officer's representative. The contractor shall provide a permanent

record of both the number and approximate location of errors for each

tape.

(5) Both temporary and permanent errors will be counted. Table 4. shows

the maximum dropouts and/or errors allowed per reel in the

rehabilitation facility and in Quality Assurance. Note that the

contractor's maximum error counts are less in order to provide a

safety margin to help prevent tape lot rejections.

(6) The tape must have correctly positioned and acceptable BOT

(Beginning Of Tape) and EOT (End Of Tape) markers.

(7) The tape must be tested from the BOT reflective marker to a minimum of 0.61 m (2 ft) past the EOT reflective marker.

(8) A capability that will allow a tape to be cleaned and evaluated while

maintaining the integrity of the internal labeling conventions is a mandatory feature.

(9) Minimum acceptable tape length (BOT to EOT) is 671 m (2200 ft).

(10) The tape must be wound at a winding tension compatible with the

agency's tape drives (1.7 N (6 ozf) to 2.8 N (10 ozf)). The tape pack

shall form a smooth, integral mass that is not loose either axially or circumferentially, and the finished tape pack shaU be centered on the

reel hub. Tape must be wound, oxide surface toward reel hub, in a clockwise direction, when the reel is viewed from the front, the loose

end of the tape hangs from the right side of the reel.

(11) The standard testing environment must be a normal computer room

environment.

.3 Record Keeping

Each reel must be marked and a peelable label must be used on each reel in

order to identify the following:

(1) Date evaluated

(2) Operator who performed the evaluation

(3) Evaluator used (Machine)

(4) Tape length in feet

(5) Number of errors

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TABLE 4. MAXIMUM DROPOUTS/ERRORS PER REEL

246 bpmm (6250 bpi)

CONTRACTOR ACCEPTANCE TESTING

No more than 50 single-track errors^S

No more than 10 two- track errors No more than 3 three- track errors No gross errors27

No permanent write errors28

No more than 7 marginal edge errors No more than 4 marginal edge errors

in any 0.90 m (3 ft) section

No more than 25 errors combined which

are comprised of single-track,

two- track, three- track, and edge errors

No more than 55 single track errors No more than 12 two-track errors No more than 4 three-track errors No gross errors No permanent write errors No more than 8 marginal edge errors No more than 4 marginal edge errors

in any 0.90 m (3 ft) section

No more than 30 errors combined which

are comprised of single-track,

two- track, three- track, and edge errors

63 bpmm (1600 bpi)

CONTRACTOR ACCEPTANCE TESTING

No gross errors No permanent write errors No more than 7 marginal edge errors No more than 4 marginal edge errors

in any 0.90 m (3 ft) section

No more than 10 dropouts

No more than 12 errors, edge, and

dropouts combined

No gross errors No permanent write errors No more than 8 marginal edge errors No more than 4 marginal edge errors

in any 0.90 m (3 ft) section

No more than 12 dropouts

No more than 14 errors, edge, and

dropouts combined

26a11 errors are temporary write skip errors (see sec. 3.1 - type (a) errors) unless

noted as permanent or gross.

27a gross error is usually caused by scraped oxide, diagonal creases, etc., and

typically persist for at least 6.35 mm (0.25 in).

2oA permanent write error is a software dependent error and is defined, for

example, by the number of consecutive write skips over a length of tape (see

sec. 3.1 - type (b) errors).

97
Unless otherwise specified, the contractor must maintain, for the term of the

contract, original test records, data sheets, etc., which will be available for the

tracing of each rehabilitated tape. The individual records for each tape shall

include lot number, the agency volume serial number, machine, operator,

number of errors per tape, date evaluated, length of tapes, and which

components had to be replaced. The records are available for inspection by the

agency on demand.

The contractor prepares and submits a detailed monthly summary of the

rehabilitation process performed. These records shall include, but not be

limited to, a production summary to date, the percentage of tapes by recording

format, a summary of tapes received, total accepted and rejected quantities,

and percentage of yield.

3.4 Quality Assurance Requirements

The contractor must establish and maintain a quality assurance area so that

rejected lots wiU be kept at a minimum.

Acceptance testing of completed lots will be done by the agency's quality assurance personnel on a statistical sampling basis. The samples will include

both tapes certified as acceptable and those certified as unacceptable by the

contractor.

Each finished unit in the sample shall be given a thorough visual and

dimensional inspection to determine compliance with the requirement of the

agency's specifications. Particular attention shall be given to, but not limited

to, the following:

(1) Cleanliness

(2) Tape dimensions (length)

(3) Tape wound pile

(4) Reel dimensions

(5) Marker placement

(6) Error count

Lots rejected by the agency's quality assurance personnel will be returned to

the contractor, with identification as to what wiU be required to correct the

lot. The contractor will not be reimbursed for the correction of rejected lots.

At the present time the agency's objective is to produce a 75% successful yield

from all rehabilitated tapes.

No effort has been made in this particular rehabilitation process to excise

(strip) defective tape regions (particularly at the beginning of the tape) or to

microscopically remove defects as described in the section dealing with tape

certifiers. In addition, unlike some other rehabilitation processes, there is no

environmental tape relaxation period or specialized final tape winding, such as a programmed tension wind.

98
4. Tape Management Systems (TMS)29

Methods for the proper care and handling of computer magnetic tapes are available

for application at aU levels of activity beginning at the system software level and

continuing through the hands-on activities of the personnel in computer

installations, tape libraries, archives, testing laboratories, and external

environments. In their scheduled passage through these areas, it is possible that the

media and/ or their data contents may be lost or destroyed due to the lack of proper

record keeping or traffic control methods.

One approach to these logistical problems, particularly in large installations, lies in the application of software systems which are known as Tape Management Systems

(TMS). These TMS interact with the data processing system and provide total

organization and control of the flow of the computer tapes in, through, and out of

the data processing system, including libraries and vaults. In addition, they can

label, protect, retain, withdraw, scratch, 30 quality control, identify, schedule,

pre-stage, control flow both on and off site, and locate the position of every

computer tape in the system.

This section discusses those specialized areas found in three Tape Management

Systems whose functions are to earmark, control, and trace the movement of the

media and their data through the various operations. They maintain the security of

the data by circumventing system operations which can pose a threat to the media

and data. It should be noted that in these and most other TMS there are a number

of other important functional capabilities which are related to areas such as data

organization and cost effective media operations. For example, one source claims

that a TMS can liberate enough system capacity so as to permit up to 30% more

tape processing throughput p2]. Some of these TMS are quite complex and costly.

In addition to these complete Tape Management Systems, there are limited

error-logging software systems which deal solely and directly with the condition of

the computer tapes. One of these systems, SAS-I (see sec. 4.4), can be used in lieu

of off-line tape evaluation and certification methods which were described in the

Scheduled Tape Maintenance section 3.2.3.

The brief discussion of the following three TMS and the SAS-I to the exclusion of

other available systems is not to be construed as an endorsement of any particular

systems. They were chosen as examples because of their direct relevance and

applicability to the tape care and handling process. Interested readers can obtain

more complete information from the vendors of available systems.

4.1 TMS-I

This system [33] automates the record keeping of a tape library and vault and

produces reports for their daily operation and control. It provides the user with a

full facility for inquiring into and maintaining complete information pertinent to the

operation of the tape library. It accommodates a library which is organized by tape

volume, serial number, or by application.

^^These systems are also referred to as Tape Library Management Systems.

30a scratch tape is one which contains no useful data and is capable of being

reassigned to a new application.

99
TMS-I provides both a daily tape movement report and a tape inventory by location

report. It also offers a real-time verification of the scratch eligibility of an output

tape volume at open time. Gummed labels with complete up to the minute

information can be produced on-line during the actual execution of the job at the

time the tape is created. These labels can be generated in a variety of ways which

are selected by the user; this includes both on-line or batch mode operation. If desired, the user may not call for any labels.

TMS-I has several fail-safe backup capabilities such as the automatic restart at the

point of the tape activity which is in process at the time of a system crash. The

system can produce a variety of standard reports at the user's discretion. Among

these are a complete list of tapes under retention, eligible scratch tapes, scratch

forecasting, tape movement, offsite storage inventory, and a complete tape

inventory. These reports can be accessed by referring to such items as the tape

volume serial number, data set name, and the creation date.

TMS-1 can also report the following type of computer tape information upon request:

purchase date, manufacturer, recording density, type of label, footage, total times

used, location, date last cleaned, times used since last cleaning, read errors, write

errors, and the responsible programmer.

TMS-I is capable of tracing a data set through previous generations even though its

name has been changed. It wiU process data differently depending upon whether the

on-line or the batch mode of operation is applied.

TMS-1 automatically screens the quality of all tapes as they are moved into the

scratch pool. This includes tape age, tape cleaning information, and tape error

statistics. Flags indicating quality variances are displayed on a Daily Scratch Tape

Report. In addition, when tapes pass their retention date, they will also appear on

this report.

Every major function which is provided on-line is completely duplicated in the batch

backup system. This means that if for any reasons the on-line system fails to

function, TMS-I provides the user with an automated batch backup system. These

backups include such major functions such as tape label generation, update for newly

created tapes, and newly available scratches among others.

4.2 TMS-n

TMS-II [34] provides protection against the inadvertent destruction of tape files and

permits tape operation with minimum operator intervention.

The central control in TMS-II is provided by a Tape Management Catalog (TMC)

which prohibits any processing of a tape by a user program unless the TMC first

validates the operation. AU necessary informiation associated with each tape

volume is stored immediately in the TMC at tape OPEN, CLOSE, or EOV operation.

The TMS-II management system handles standard labeled, non-standard labeled, and

unlabeled tapes. The system removes the need for creating and placing physical

labels containing data set information on the tape reels; only the volume and serial

numbers are required. This eliminates the possibility of an operator assigning a wrong label to a reel of tape. It is possible to operate under TMS-II control without

100
removing the tape write enable rings. Each secondary backup file on a tape is separately protected and reported with its own identifying record and expiration

date in the TMS-II data base. There is a data set (AUDIT) which tracks all changes

to the TMS-n data base. This provides for the restoration of the data base up to the

instant of failure should one occur.

TMS-II is capable of reporting the following type of information (and others not

listed):

(1) Tape inventory lists by volume serial number, by data set, and job name.

(2) Forecasts of tape to become scratch.

(3) List of scratch tapes with cleaning information.

(4) A list of inactive tape reel numbers.

The system wiU also produce a list of all tapes which have generated I/O errors in

the past 48 hours. It can provide data set security through its own PASSWORD

facility which is independent of the operating system. This password facility

prevents access to sensitive data as long as the tape is under TMS-II control. This

security however cannot be assured if the tape is sent to an uncontrolled area or is scratched. To prevent this, a utility program is available in TMS-II for erasing

sensitive data before the volume is sent out.

TMS-II provides the following type of retention criteria for tape data sets: expiration date, retention period, frequency control (i.e., a tape data set is held as long as it is used every x number of days), permanent tape hold, etc. There is a program which lists all tapes with a retention period of one year or longer.

It also provides lists of scratch tapes which should be cleaned, based upon criteria

such as the number of days since the last cleaning, number of uses, number of

temporary read or write errors, or any combination of these which the user has

specified (see sec. 1.14). Tape certification processes can also be tracked by the

system.

There is a special area in each tape volume record in the Tape Management Catalog

(TMC) which is available for storage of information, such as the tape manufacturer's

name, certification information, or any other useful information relative to

effective tape management.

TMS-II incorporates a Vault Management System (VMS) which controls the

movement of tape volumes from one storage location to another. Typically, critical

tape volumes are cycled out of the central tape library to progressively more secure and less accessible storage areas such as vaults, and then are finally transferred

back to the central library. The VMS maintains a record of all vaulted tapes. For

example, when a tape meets the criteria for being vaulted, they are listed as being

"out-of-area" with the proper vault code and records of the current location and

destination for tapes that are to be transferred. The vault tapes can be located by

slot numbers which are automatically controlled and updated by VMS. The retention

of a vault tape can be based on one or more criteria such as number of days elapsed

since placed in vault, number of days since the tape was created, a specific hold

time, plus several others.

101
One large user of computer tapes in the Federal Government employs TMS-II system

in order to keep track of 7,000 to 8,000 reels which they mount daily. The system

generates reports such as: summaries of temporary and permanent errors encountered on each mounted reel, identification of tapes in storage for ten years,

five years, etc., the manufacturer and brand name of each tape. Critical tapes are backed up daily with multiple copies; one set is stored off-site.

4.3 TMS-III

This system maintains complete control over a tape library. This control extends

into the areas of data security and data set inventory management [35].

The TMS-III system maintains a master file which has a real-time record of every

tape volume. The master file data are obtained from the operating system

whenever tape data sets are read or written. The master file is accessible for both

on-line inquiry and off-line generation of reports. The data sets are protected by

the TMS-UI Data Set Protection feature against unwanted destruction by the

operator unless their release is authorized. It recognizes all protected tapes and

prevents them from being written over by automatically dismounting them.

The master file maintains information such as the purchase date of the media, the

manufacturer, the last date when the media were cleaned and certified, the location

of the tape, the number of permanent write and read errors. The system will

highlight tape volumes that have a high failure potential due to excess errors and

will also automatically schedule preventive tape maintenance (see sec. 1.14).

TMS-III exerts automatic tape scratching control; this decreases the total number of

tapes which remain in the operation. Also, through various other information areas such as the originating tape drive, it assures the proper reel labeling.

The automatic tape scratch control feature returns volumes to the scratch pool as soon as it is feasible. There are several optional tape release controls available to

the user, for example:

(1) The tapes are automatically released at a specified date,

(2) A tape is released to scratch when it is no longer found in an operating

system data set catalog,

(3) The tape is released to scratch when it meets both conditions (1) and (2),

(4) The tapes can be released at any desired time without regard to conditions

(1), (2), or (3).

Once a tape is released for any reasons whatsoever, its data set entry is removed

from the master file either automatically or through a command.

The TMS-III performs most of its functions on a continuing basis without the

necessity for user intervention. It automatically checks to make certain if a tape is in a scratch mode. If it is, then the tape can be used as desired after the master file

is updated to its new status. The updated tape information includes its read/write

error statistics. Importantly, TMS-III maintains sufficient background information

on each processed tape so that data can be recovered in the event of a data loss.

Data center disasters can be minimized because TMS-III schedules and tracks

off-site movement and storage of all critical tape data sets.

102
It is possible to request the following output information from a system under

TMS-m control:

. When will a particular tape volume expire?

. Which tape volumes have been or will be automatically scratched?

. What is the storage status of tapes; i.e., where are they located other than in

the primary operating area?

. A read out of the master file contents.

. Which scratched tapes are to be certified and cleaned?

It is recommended by T MS-IE that tapes should be cleaned after every 15 uses and

evaluated/certified after every third cleaning (see sec. 1.14).

TMS-in offers a users selectable gummed label feature which gives positive external

identification for all specified tape volumes.

4.4 Surface Analysis System (SAS-I)^!

SAS-I [36] is a specialized software utility program that is capable of

simultaneously testing (evaluating) (see sec. 3.2.3) one to nine tapes online at normal

tape speeds on the system tape drives. It certifies new or scratch tapes by

recording them with a special character set which can defeat one or two bit error recovery; it can also certify data files by reading (READ ONLY) the existing data

non-destructively and examining records and fields for bad spots. The certification

is performed prior to actual tape use, therefore eliminating expensive job aborts.

SAS-1 provides a permanent record in the form of a summary report for each tape

which has been tested. These summary reports include:

. The number of temporary and permanent errors encountered.

. The number of write retries attempted in each error area.

. The length of the permanent errors and their approximate locations on the

tape.

SAS-1 also issues data check messages; i.e., abort messages to the console. This is done if, typically, 16 unsuccessful write retries occur on 16 consecutive locations

during a test run. A different tape abort threshold, however, can be specified by the

user if desired. The user may also specify the number of errors for which the tape

shall be cleaned. Therefore, SAS-1 may be used to schedule tapes for cleaning based on error counts rather than on fixed time intervals.

SAS-I can be used effectively in a scheduled maintenance program for monitoring

the condition of tapes in long-term archives. It is recommended that these archival

tapes be certified at least once per year (see sec. 2.1) using the READ ONLY

function.

SAS-I can also be used to test the condition of the system tape drives. This is performed by recording the special character set on a known good tape on each of

the transports under test, and then recording the total number of errors produced by

each unit. For example, if eight to ten of the transports produce very few errors on

this tape and the other two machines produce a large quantity of errors, then these

latter two machines should be inspected and serviced prior to further use.

31SAS-I is the author's designation for this system for convenience in presentation.

103
5. Clean Rooms and Clean Room Operations Guidelines

The care and handling of magnetic storage media in research, calibration,

manufacturing, and test facilities often require work areas in which airborne

contamination is controlled. These areas known as clean rooms are described in

Federal Standard No. 209A (August 10, 1966) entitled "Clean Room and Work

Station Requirements, Controlled Environment."

5.1 Description of Clean Rooms

The standard defines air cleanliness classes based upon the maximum number of

airborne particles of a particular size in a specified volume of space. For example,

there are two particle size classes 0.5 ^m (20 /xin) or larger and 5.0 nm (200 (lin) or

larger, and there are three cleanliness classes: Class 100, Class 10,000, and Class

100,000. Class 100, which is the cleanest standard environment, is defined as an

area which yields a maximum airborne particle count not to exceed 3.5 x 10^

particles per m^ (100 particles per ft^) of particle size of 0.5 ^m (20 /iin) and larger.

A Class 10,000 is defined as an area which yields a maximum particle count of

3.5 X 10^ particles per m^ (1 x 10"* particles per ft^) of a particle size of

0.5 ^m (20 ^in) and larger, or 2.3 x 10^ particles per m*^ (65 particles per ft^) of a

particle size of 5.0 ^m (200 ^in) and larger. Class 100,000 is defined as an area which yields a maximum particle count of 3.5 x 10^ particles per m^ (1 x 10^

particles per ft^) of a particle size of 0.5 ^m (20 fiin) or larger or 2.5 x 10^ particles

per m3 (700 particles per ft^) of a particle size of 5.0 /xm (200 /iin) and larger.

Equipment employing light scattering principles are used (see ASTM F50)32 for

counting particles with sizes of 0.5 /xm (20 /xin) and larger. For counting particles

with sizes of 5.0 /xm (200 /xin) and larger, microscopic counting of particles which

have been collected on a membrane fUter through which a sample of air has been

drawn may be used (see ASTM F25).33

Clean rooms fall into the following categories:

(a) Non-laminar airflow types in which the airflow patterns and velocities are

not uniform.

(b) Laminar airflow types in which the entire body of air within a confined area moves with uniform velocity along parallel flow lines with a minimum

of eddies.

A conventional clean room uses non-laminar airflow design and makes use of highly

filtered and conditioned air brought into the room area through individual diff users located in the ceiling. It exhausts the air through return ducts located near the

floor around the periphery of the room. Emphasis is placed on limiting the amount

of contamination introduced into the air in the room by controlling the personnel,

operations, and materials inside the facility. Personnel are required to wear low

32American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F50: Method of Test for

Continuous Counting and Sizing of Airborne Particles in Dust Controlled Areas by

the Light Scattering Principle (for Electronic and Similar Applications).

33aSTM F25: Method for Sizing and Counting Airborne Particulate Contamination

Clean Rooms and Other Dust Controlled Areas Designed for Electronic and Similar

Applications.

104
particle shedding type garments (see Guidelines at the end of this section), and all personnel and materials must be cleaned before introduction into the area. Removal

of contamination is performed tlirough careful maintenance and janitorial service.

A laminar type of clean room utilizes highly filtered and conditioned air which

enters the room and flows towards the work area through a filter bank; this bank

constitutes either an entire wall or the ceiling of the room. The air is then

exhausted through an opposing parallel surface facing the air inlet filter bank. The

air moves through the room in a laminar flow fashion, thus making only a single pass

through any given area of the room. This laminar airflow stream carries (out of the

room) both contamination which has been brought into the clean room on personnel

and equipment, and airborne contamination generated by operations in the room. Contamination generated in localized areas of the room is isolated from other areas by the striations of the laminar airflow. Emphasis is placed on performing critical

work in the regions of undisturbed clean airflow from the incoming air surface.

Personnel restrictions, equipment cleanup, and operational limitations are minimized in a properly organized laminar flow room.

The laminar flow clean room is considered to be at the state-of-the-art in present

day clean room technology and is the most desirable (and generally most expensive)

type. Either type of clean room, both laminar flow and non-laminar flow, employ

High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter Units (HEPA's); these are referred to as absolute filters. Some of these HEPA's are designed to remove up to 99.97% of the

defined particles from the airstream and are very costly components in any clean

room system.

When it is neither necessary nor economically feasible to construct a full sized Class

100 clean room, it is possible to construct small individual laminar flow, clean work

stations at specific locations where specialized separate tests or measurements are performed. The exhausting from and the positioning of the work stations depend

upon the operation being performed, the equipment involved, and the test or measurement residue. For example, operations that produce heat, dirt, or toxic

exhausts should absolutely be ducted out of the laboratory environment. There are other tests or measurements which wiU not affect the ambient room particle count

or the T-H environment and will not require separate exhausting.

Full size clean rooms and clean work stations are constructed in both vertical

(ceiling- to- floor) and horizontal (waU-to-wall) airflow configurations. Since many

normal work areas and laboratories are not sufficiently air-tight to be made directly

into clean rooms, room-within-a-room type of modular clean room configurations

are available which are installed as integral units into these original work areas. There are numerous accessories available for use with clean rooms [10], [11]. Some

examples are, parts pass-through chambers, through which items are transferred

into the clean room proper without affecting the clean level integrity, and air

showers and air locks through which the personnel enter the clean room area without

introducing external contaminants.

In addition, there are individual clean work areas which are specialized for

particular functions such as ultrasonic cleaning, medical research, photoresist,

encapsulating and production assembly, and inspection.

105
Airborne particle concentrations should be measured at representative locations in

the clean room or work station. It is necessary to recognize that the differences

between non-laminar and laminar airflow systems lead to different measuring

techniques. For example, contamination generated in non-laminar flow rooms or work stations generally tends to be diffused over the entire work area, thus airborne

particle counts wiU be fairly uniform through the whole work area. In laminar flow

rooms, however, any airborne contamination released into the work area will follow

the airstream path towards the exit; therefore, contamination levels in these rooms

can vary from a Class 100 level at an air entry location to a much higher

contamination level downstream of the dirtiest operation. Thus in a laminar flow

facility, the sample of air should be taken in the area of interest. Also, the particle

count should be taken at work height level and in the general work activity areas.

5.2 Various Media Clean Rooms in Industry and Government

The following information was obtained from various industry and Government

magnetic media testing facilities that employed clean work areas. The inquiry was

undertaken at the outset of the ICST Computer Storage Media program in order to

determine the characteristics which are required for a facility which was to be used

for the calibration and measurement of magnetic media Standard Reference

Materials. It is important to note that most media organizations felt that

temperature and humidity controls were generally more important than high

cleanliness levels at their installations.

(1) Government Agency A

This organization designed its own clean room which was then constructed

by a general contracting firm. The 99.97% HEPA filters were used, and

emphasis was placed upon maintaining the following temperatures and

humidities:

Temperature: 210C to 26.60C (TO^F to SO^F)

Relative Humidity: 50% + 10%

The clean room floor was raised and was made of an epoxy material. The

waUs were aluminum clad over plywood. These features produced shedfree surfaces. It was felt that asbestos floor tiles tended to abrade and add

contamination into the environment. The raised floor was used in order to

facilitate laminar airflow delivery to various work positions by individual

ducts as well as to hide power cables. The room was employed for in-house

experimentation and magnetic tape acceptance testing.

(2) Government Agency B

(a) This organization maintained a magnetic tape measurements room

which was "semi-clean." It contained two continuously running

precipitrons. There was no "through" traffic in this room and entry

was restricted to only those who had to operate in the area. All

personnel wore nylon boots and coats. Temperature and humidity was

maintained within the following controlled limits:

Temperature: 2l0C to 26.60C (70OF to SQOF)

Relative Humidity: 50% + 3%

106
(b) Agency B also maintained a magnetic tape acceptance testing area which was a Class 100 laminar flow room. It had an anteroom and an

air shower arrangement. Its environment was maintained at the same

temperature-humidity values as the measurements room above.

Magnetic Tape Manufacturer A

This was a large, established magnetic tape manufacturing organization

whose original clean room facility was built before the advent of

cleanliness standards and was not correlated to a specific Federal Class. A

particle count program showed that large variations in count were caused

by a simple movement of personnel in the clean room. Additional tests

showed that the particle count had little effect on the production of signal

dropouts; i.e., a large increase in particle count had produced a very small

change in signal dropouts. The prevailing opinion was that precise

temperature and humidity controls were a more critical requirement than

extreme cleanliness levels. The company also found that the results of

tests which were run in the summer and the winter differed considerably

until strict T-H controls were instituted. However, it should be noted, as expected, that as the recorded test densities increased, the effect of dust

particles on dropouts became more serious (see sec. 8.1-eq(4)).

This clean room installation had a com.plete change of air each minute and

encouraged clean working habits among the personnel who were required to wear white, lint-free coats but no hats or boots, it was noted that one

useful purpose for the white coats was psychological in nature since they

tended to encourage cleanliness by their presence. The environment in the

laboratory was maintained under the following conditions:

(a) Temperature: 220C to 2A^C (7lOF to 750F)

(b) Relative humidity: 45% (nominal value)

(c) Filtering was accomplished through 99.7% absolute filter types (this was less than a Class 100 requirement). The air was prefiltered before

entering the absolute HEPA filters.

(d) Positive pressurization was produced by an airflow of approximately

0.14 m3/s (5 ft3/s) to 0.2 m^/s (6.7 ft^/s).

(e) A plenum ceiling discharged the air into the room.

(f) Clean clothes were worn by operating personnel, but there was no air

shower arrangement at the entrance to the room.

(g) The room had a terrazzo (epoxy with chips) type floor.

107
Magnetic Tape Manufacturer B

This company tested large quantities of bulk magnetic tape. It originally

attempted to maintain a Class 100 clean room environment but was

unsuccessful due to the tape material conveyor system that was used. At

best, it was able to achieve a Class 1,000 room. The company also felt

that temperature and humidity controls were very important, while

extreme dust control was relatively unimportant. It noted that NBS

reference tape measurements would be of those tape properties in which

dust would not affect the results and that anomalies due to an occasional

dropout due to dust could easily be removed from the final results; this

eventually proved to be correct. However, they further noted that if dropout testing is done in quantity, then higher degrees of cleanness, such

as can be achieved with clean work stations, would be in order.

Magnetic Tape Manufacturer C

This organization noted that: (1) a tape measurement laboratory should be

restricted to only those personnel that are actually working in it, with no

through traffic permitted; (2) a very clean working arrangement could be

obtained by having a laminar airflow over both the operator and the

working surface, with the machine heat and residue being exhausted out of

the laboratory through a duct system; and (3) the minimum requirements

for the laboratory were:

(a) Construct the room with non-shedding materials.

(b) Use positive air pressure.

(c) Lighting fixtures should be cleanable and have as few ledges and dust

catching surfaces as possible.

(d) Temperature and humidity control was absolutely necessary.

(e) Special clothes were not important.

Tape Manufacturer D

This organization had a clean room which did not achieve a Class 100 level.

They had an air-lock entrance, clean monofilament garments, hair nets but no booties. For the volume of traffic that they carried, a Class 100 room

was not feasible, since in fact such a clean room should have no traffic.

They used absolute HEPA filters (99% plus, particle removal rate),

controlled temperature and humidity, and moved a large volume of air in a non-laminar flow pattern. They also maintained positive room air

pressure. In their new plant, they used 99.97% HEPA filtering in a laminar

flow system in those operating areas where the magnetic coatings were

stiU in the liquid state, and absolute cleanliness was required. At the time

of this inquiry, this company used small, individual laminar flow stations

for some of their research and testing operations.

Miscellaneous

It has been reported by one media manufacturing organization that their

operating personnel experienced psychological effects which were caused

by a feeling of isolation when working in their fuUy enclosed Class 100

108
clean room. The organization subsequently changed to a (approximate)

Class 10,000 clean room with cleaner individual work stations. This

permitted a greater personnel traffic flow and relieved the isolation

problem. It has been reported by one organization that their research and

development engineers generally did not follow all of the very strict

procedures which are required when working in a full Class 100 room, and

that they performed considerably better at individual laminar flow

stations. However, it should be noted that in some technologies a full

Class 100 clean room is absolutely required. For example, a Class 100

clean room is needed when working with materials and devices such as semiconductor materials and delicate gyi'oscopes whose characteristics can

be damaged by contamination with foreign matter. It was noted that

individual clean work stations of Class 100 levels when used, should be

immersed in areas which themselves are are of Class 1,000, if possible.

5.3 General Guidelines for all Types of Clean Rooms and Clean Work Stations34

(1) Garments specified as applicable to a given facility must be worn when entering

the area; for example, lint-free smocks and coveralls.

(2) Neither smoking nor eating should be permitted in the clean room area.

(3) Head covering, which covers the entire head, should be required to avoid

component contamination by loose bits of hair or loose bits of skin flakes.

(4) No cosmetics shall be worn by any worker while in any clean area. This shall

include: rouge, lipstick, eye shadow and eyebrow pencil, mascara, false eye

lashes, fingernail polish, hair spray, and the heavy use of an aerosol deodorant.

(5) Limit paper entering area. There are special nonshedding papers for necessary

records or paperwork which are approved for clean room applications.

(6) Use only ballpoint pens for writing. Lead pencils and erasers should not be

permitted in clean room area.

(7) The use of paper or fabric towels should be forbidden. Wash rooms should have

electrically powered, warm air dryers.

(8) Hand lotions, creams, or soap containing lanolin to tighten skin particles should

be used, as appropriate.

(9) Solvent contact with hands should be avoided, as many solvents remove natural

skin oils causing excessive "skin peeling" or flaking.

(10) Lint- free gloves, finger cots, tweezers, or other handling methods and

equipment should be used while working with or handling sensitive parts, to

avoid contamination of those parts by loose skin or natural skin oils.

(11) Clean all equipment before entry into area by dusting, vacuuming, washing, or by suitable means, as best suited to equipment involved.

34sections 5.3, 5.4, and 5.5 are recommended by [37].

109
(12) Gloves or finger cots should not be permitted to touch any item or surface that

is not known to have been thoroughly cleaned. Specifically, they should not

touch any part of the anatomy, covered or uncovered.

(13) No tool or part should be permitted to be placed on the bench or other surface

until that surface has been cleaned with a clean lint-free, isopropanol

dampened cloth. Other equally effective solvents, compatible with the surface,

may be used if isopropanol is not available.

(14) No tool should be allowed to rest on the surface of the bench or work surface,

but should be placed on a hardware cloth or perforated metal rack, to guard

against contaminants which have settled on the work surface being transferred

to the tool.

(15) AU parts or material containers, racks, jigs, fixtures, and tools should be

cleaned to the same level of cleanliness specified for the product being

processed.

5.4 Guidelines for Nonlaminar Airflow Clean Rooms and Clean Work Stations

(1) Garments shall be pocketless, lint-free coveralls, with provisions for snugly

fastening the neck, wrist, and ankles.

(2) The caps which must be worn, shall be of lint-free fabric, designed to cover the

head and hair completely, except for the face—which shall include the eyes,

nose, mouth, and chin.

(3) Shoes shall be cleaned and covered with a nonshedding boot type cover, or changed to approved clean room footwear. If special footwear is provided, they

shall not be worn outside the clean room and dressing room.

(4) The use of compressed air, except in hoods specifically designed for that

purpose, shaU not be permitted. Any operator assigned to such a hood shall

have special instructions for its proper use.

(5) Room maintenance, except for vacuuming by a properly garmented employee,

shall be restricted to periods when no productive activity is being performed,

and when any material or work in process is covered by an approved cover.

(6) Janitorial services shall be performed only by adequately trained and supervised

personnel, each of which must be properly garbed.

(7) AU equipment which must be brought into the clean room, shall first be

thoroughly cleaned, and the use of the equipment in the room shall not generate

any contaminants.

(8) Traffic into and within the clean room shall be restricted to authorized

personnel and unnecessary movements by the personnel shaU be minimized.

110
Guidelines for Laminar Airflow Clean Rooms and Clean Work Stations

Garmenting may vary with the type of operation being performed, but the

minimum garmenting shall be a pocketless, lint-free smock, or coat, which

must extend to a minimum of 0.4 m (1.25 ft) below the work surface. The

coUar and cuffs of the garment shall be equipped to be fastened at the neck and

wrists.

Head coverings shall be worn, and shall be capable of completely covering the

hair area. If the operation requires the wearer to lean over the work, or move

into the airstream between the filter bank and the work piece, the front, sides,

and rear neck area shaU also be covered.

Special shoes, or shoe covers may not be necessary for vertical laminar airflow

facilities, nor for horizontal airflow installations except when the work is being

performed at a point less than 0.6 m (2 ft) from the floor.

A face mask may be needed if an operator has a cold, or if the nose and mouth

must be brought very close to the work piece, for work on miniature parts.

Ill
6. References

[I] Gray, M. M. An assessment and forecast of adp in the federal government.

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Special Publication 500-79; August 1981. 134 p.

[2] Information Systems Planning Service. Data center security: disaster

planning, backup, and recovery. International Data Corporation (IDC).

Report ISPS-R81-01; March 1981. 93 p.

[3] Shaw, J. K.; Katzke, S. W. Executive guide to adp contingency planning.

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Special Publication 500-85; January 1982. 10 p.

[4] Dollar, C. M. Problems of magnetic recording in archival storage. Spring

COMPCON Digest of Papers; 14th IEEE Computer Society International

Conference; 1977. 3 p.

[5] Geller, S. B. Archival datastorage. Datamation; October 1974. 4 p.

[6] Staff National Archives and Records Service. Recommended environmental

conditions and handling procedures for magnetic tape (unpublished document);

1972. 21 p.

[7] Technassociates, Inc. A study of archival storage technology for

machine-readable archives. NARS-GSA (Contract No. NA76-12). 1976.

80 p.

[8] Rosenkrantz, G. J. National archives mass storage requirements -1975-1980.

IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, VOL. MAG-7, No. 4; December 1971. 5 p.

[9] McKenna, R. T. Digital recording reliability for information exchange

application. American National Standards Institute - X3B1/651; June 1973.

24 p.

[10] Gold Book, Vol. 1. Electronic Design. Hayden Publishing Co., Inc., 50 essex

Street, RocheUe Park, NJ 07662; 1981/1982. 1200 p.

[II] eem. Vol. 1. United Technical Publications, 645 Stewart Avenue, Garden

City, NY 11530; 1981/1982. 2570 p.

[12] Product Catalogs

(a) U.C.I., Computer Supplies Specialist, Seven Woodside Avenue, Berwyn,

PA 19312

(b) Inmac, 2465 Augustine Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95051

(c) Devoke Data Products, 3780 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303

(d) Misco Inc., 404 Timber Lane, Marlboro, NJ 07746

[13] Geller, S. B. Erasing myths about magnetic media. Datamation; March 1976.

5 p.

112
Geller, S. B. The effects of magnetic fields on magnetic storage media used

in computers. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Technical Note 735; July 1972, 30 p.

Tape Head Interface Committee; Kalil, F. ed. Magnetic tape recording for

the eighties. NASA Reference Publication 1075; AprQ 1982. 170 p.

European Computer Manufacturers Association. Guidelines for magnetic

tape handling. ECMA/TC17/80/7; July 1980. 7 p.

Magnetic tape management. Computer-Link Corp.; 1979. 19 p.

Eldridge, D. F. Causes of failure in magnetic tape. Memorex Monograph No.

3; May 1964. 4 p.

Magnetic Products Division 3M. The handling and storage of computer tape.

Computer Talk, Vol. 1, No. 1; 1968. 7 p.

Rodriguez, J. A. An analysis of tape drive technology. Proceedings of the

IEEE, Vol. 63, No. 8; August 1975. 7 p.

Jorgensen, F. The complete handbook of magnetic recording. Chapter 14.

Tab Books, Inc.; July 1980. 448 p.

N. Bertram; A. Eshel. Recording media archival attributes (Magnetic).

Rome Air Development Center. RADC-TR80-123; April 1980. 112 p.

Romei, L. Protecting the lifeblood of dp. Modern Office Procedures; March

1982. 3p.

Heck, C. Magnetic materials and their applications. Chapter 17. Crane,

Russack and Company, Inc.; 1974. 7 p.

GeUer S. B. Layaway, standby, and reactivation procedures for computer

magnetic media. Proceedings of the Workshop on Control Systems for

Munitions Plants. (Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.); September 1977.

11 p.

Poland, W. B. Jr.; Prine, G. E.; Jones, T. L. Archival performance of NASA

GSFC digital magnetic tape. American National Standards Institute - X3B1/650; June 1973. 29 p.

Noel, J. D. - Proj. Mgr. Effects of storage on digital magnetic tape. Phase II Report. Wolf Research and Development Corporation. NASA-GSFC

Contract No. NAS-5-9756-113; July 1968. 47 p.

Cuddihy, E. F. Aging of magnetic recording tape. IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. MAG-16, No. 4; July 1980. 11 p.

Cuddihy, E. F. Hygroscopic properties of magnetic recording tape. IEEE

Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. MAG-12, No. 2; March 1976. 9 p.

113
Bertram, H. N.; Cuddihy, E. F. Kinetics of the humid aging of magnetic

recording tape. IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. MAG-18, No. 5; September 1982. 7 p.

Mandle, J. Evaluating performance of digital magnetic tape. Memorex

Monograph No. 5; April 1967. 8 p.

Wardle, D. Why disk and tape management systems? Infosystems, Vol. 29,

No. 4, Part 2; April 1982. 2 p.

Auerbach Computer Technology Reports. Reference 680.6767.800. Auerbach

Publishers Inc., Systems Software, Vol. J-1; 1982. 2 p.

Ibid., Reference 680.6740.500.

Ibid., Reference 680.2040.800.

Datapro 70. Reference 70E-528-02a. Datapro Research Corp., Software

Vol-3; May 1982. 2 p.

Standard Clean Room Operational Guideline. Moore and Hanks Co., El

Monte, CA 91733; 1975. 12 p.

Carroll, J. F. Jr.; Gotham, R. C. The measurement of abrasiveness of

magnetic tape. IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. MAG-2, No. 1; March

1966. 8 p.

Christensen, R. M. Theory of visco elasticity - an introduction. Academic

Press Inc.; 1971. 245 p.

Bate, G. Oxides for magnetic recording. Magnetic Oxides Part 2, Chapter

12. Craik, D. J. ed., John Wiley and Sons; 1975. 54 p.

Mallinson, J. C. Tutorial review of magnetic recording. Proceedings of the

IEEE, Vol. 64, No. 2; February 1976. 13 p.

114
7. Appendix A. Handling and Environmental Effects

7.1 Effects of Hydrolysis on Tapes

Large variations in temperature and humidity which may be encountered by

computer magnetic tapes in storage, in transit, or in uncontrolled environments, are among the principal causes for physical and chemical changes and eventual damage

to the media. Secondary damage to the tapes can be caused by the distortion of the

flanges on the plastic reels and/or the hubs under extreme environmental conditions.

Three of the major components of a computer magnetic tape (i.e., the mylar

substrate, the polyurethane binder, and the backcoating) display hygroscopic

properties. That is, they both absorb and desorb atmospheric moisture as a function

of the relative humidity. In an unsealed area such as a computer center or large

vault, the water content of the tape wiU come into equilibrium with the relative

humidity of the atmosphere [29]. It has been found that a number of adverse

reactions are related to both extreme or fluctuating humidity environments. These

reactions include increased tape abrasivity, increased head wear, increased tape

debris and associated error rates, gummy products which are produced by

polyurethane binder degradation, and tape pack tension increases and decreases

Studies [28],[29], [30] using commercially available magnetic tapes, concluded that a primary cause of tape aging and degradation was the hydrolysis of their

polyurethane binders. Hydrolysis is a double decomposition reaction in which water

is one of the reacting substances. In the case of computer magnetic tapes, the

hydrolysis process consists of atmospheric moisture plus ester combining to form

carbolic acid and alcohol. Since the ester is required to maintain the crosslink

structure in the polyurethane binder, the reaction tends to weaken the binder and cause tape binder shedding and deteriorated mechanical properties. Fortunately,

this chemical reaction is a reversible process; that is, tape binder rejuvenation can

be accomplished by storing the media in a proper temperature-humidity

environment (see sec. 2.2.1).

In tests performed with tapes in four different temperature environments, it was

found that from 30% to 100% relative humidity (RH), the binders were degrading;

while from 0% to 11% RH, the binders improved chemically. Hence, the tapes

remain stable in an environment with relative humidities in the range of 11% to 30%

RH, while tape binder restoration or rejuvenation begins in relative humidities below

11% RH and is best accomplished at 0% RH (i.e., a dry gas environment). The

hydrolysis process is accelerated by increases in temperature.

Most importantly, these studies have led to chemical theories, and test methods for

predicting and extending the lifetimes of magnetic tapes. These lifetime

predictions are not based solely upon their chronological ages but also upon their

chemical ages which are a function of the hydrolysis cycles the tapes have already

experienced. The studies have determined that an optimal archival storage

environment is one which is tightly controlled to (see sec. 2.2.1 and fig. 3.): 18.30C

(650F), 40% RH.

•^^Tape cinching is the folding or creasing of the tape which is caused by tape

slippage upon acceleration or deceleration.

36Tape blocking is the adhesion of adjacent tape layers to each other.

115
Another finding in these studies was that tapes which were sealed in a hermetic

environment at a constant temperature tended to improve their chemical (binder)

quality. This occurred regardless of the initial humidity at the time of the sealing.

This finding is important, for example, with units such as sealed, spacecraft

recorders.

7.2 Effects of Humidity on Tape Abrasivity

It was found [38] that the relative humidity had a pronounced effect on the

abrasiveness (i.e., head wear tendencies) of a number of the tapes which were under

investigation. For example, tapes which were abrasive at 50% RH became virtually

non-abrasive below 5% RH. Tape friction was observed to rise even further with

increasing humidity. Several observations were made as an outgrowth of this

humidity dependence:

(a) A long tape loop which was preconditioned in a 50% RH environment and

maintained in that condition during a test, exhibited approximately 5% of

its expected abrasivness when the vicinity surrounding the area where the

tape contacted a 12.7 mm (0.50 in) diameter metal test rod was flooded

with dry air. This vicinity included less than 25.4 mm (1.0 in) of tape

length.

(b) The tapes used with various types of metal rods in a "rod- wear" test

which substituted these rods for the actual heads, displayed a metal

dependent abrasivity response under fixed humidity conditions. For

example, in tests using a group of equally polished metal rods made of

annealed and unannealed high permeability alloys, unannealed brass,

aluminum, and copper, it was found that the high permeability alloys

produced a sharp increase in tape abrasiveness at 50% RH, while

aluminum and copper produced very little response. The type of brass

which was used produced approximately one half of the tape abrasiveness

as compared to the high permeability aUoys. Since aluminum and copper

are used in interchannel shields and spacers in some read/ write heacte, it was surmised that this may explain why high permeability pole-pieces and

other head-surface materials are found to wear equally in some

installations, while in others the pole-pieces are channeled out due to a higher wear rate.

(c) Later test results [29] did not display a direct correlation between the

hygroscopic properties of the magnetic tapes and their abrasive wear

patterns. However, it was felt that there still was a possibility that such

a relationship existed. It was further suggested that the observed

breakpoint at 40% to 45% RH at which there was a sharp increase in

measured abrasiveness was in fact due to the materials used for the

construction of the recording heads; the tapes were involved mainly in

determining the magnitude of the abrasive wear. Two possible mechanisms were hypothesized relative to the deposition of

the tape binder materials onto the heads:

(1) Tapes which were formulated with hard binders tended to wear the

head surfaces with the preceding 40% to 45% RH abrasivity

116
breakpoint characteristic. Increased humidity led to increased head

wear while decreasing humidity led to a reduction in tape flexibility

and an increase in static charges on the tape (see sec. l.lO-(ll)).

(2) Tapes which were formulated with low friction, soft binders tended

to have their own surfaces worn by the heads with little to no head

wear. The wear products from the tape were either gummy or powdery. This was thought to be a function of the relative humidity

and the hygroscopic characteristics of the tape coating. It was

surmised that tapes which absorbed more atmospheric vapor would

tend to shed gummier coating products.

(d) An adverse reaction known as "brown-stain" occurs at low humidity levels

(i.e., below 35% RH). It manifests itself as a discoloration of the

recording head surface by the media. Brown-stain cannot be removed

with ordinary cleaning solvents; instead it must be polished off with an

abrasive media. The stain causes a head-to-tape spacing loss (sec.

8.1-eq(4)) which is most detrimental for shorter wavelength signals.

7.3 Effects of Viscoelasticity on the Tape Pack

While an elastic material is capable of storing mechanical energy under stress

without energy dissipation, a viscoelastic magnetic tape base material such as polyethylene terephthalate (mylar) both stores and dissipates energy in response to

winding stresses. This energy change is performed through processes known as creep

and stress relaxation which differentiates this material from a purely elastic

material. An unusual characteristic of a viscoelastic material is its ability to

continue to alter its dimensions (i.e., plastic or cold flow) in response to previously

applied tensile stresses which have already been superseded by different stress

values. This phenomenon is referred to as the "memory" of the material [39] and

explains why the windings in a reel of tape will often develop a different tension and

pressure pattern after it has been stored for some time even in a controlled

environment. It may, in fact, have cold flowed in response to the winding stresses

that it experienced at some earlier time, possibly at the time of manufacture.

Therefore, a stored magnetic tape is never in a truly inert state because of its

viscoelastic nature. That is, the polymeric tape materials cold flow continuously in

order to relieve the wound in initial tensile stresses in the tape pack; this results in a reduction of the layer- to-layer frictional forces at various regions in the pack.

Hence, a computer tape whose pack is initially firm and smooth with no protruding

windings, can develop loose windings after a period of storage; this can lead to tape

cinching upon acceleration or deceleration. The interaction between the tape

winding tension pattern prior to storage, and the temperature and humidity

variations which occur during the same storage period is a source of eventual tape

problems.

7.4 Effects of Temperature, Humidity, and Winding on the Tape Pack

Constant tension tape winding is a prevalent method used in tape drives and other

tape handlers at the present time. The initial pressures experienced by individual

layers wound onto a tape pack at a constant tension (i.e., constant tensile stress)

form a continuum ranging initially from almost zero pounds per square inch at the

117
outermost layers to several thousand pounds per square inch on layers near the

hub.^"^ These inner pressures can increase significantly if the tape is stored at a

higher temperature than its initial winding temperature, and the hub coefficient of

thermal expansion is greater than that of the tape pack. In addition, if the tape has

been initially wound in a higher relative humidity environment than the storage

humidity, then the tape wiU desorb the moisture and shrink; this increases the tape

pack pressures, especially in the absence of equal hygroscopic contraction of the hub

[22]. These increasing pressures can cause various types of tape damage. For

example, tapes which are stored in environments in which large temperature and

humidity variations occur, can develop extreme tape pack pressures which can result

in layer- to-layer adhesion (i.e., blocking) of the tape layers, and in cases of extreme

blocking, tape coating can be torn from the base material as it is unwound.

Layer-to-layer adhesion increases with the time the tape is stored and with the

number and magnitude of temperature-humidity cycles during storage.

Other deleterious effects caused by temperature-humidity variations are the

longitudinal and transverse distortions of the tape. The distortions take on several

identifiable forms, among which are cupping and skewing. Cupping is a transverse

curving or bowing of the tape from edge-to-edge. It manifests itself when there are

differences in the thermal and hygroscopic coefficients of expansion between the

coating containing the magnetic particles and the mylar base material. Skewing is a

longitudinal curvature along the tape edges which is manifested as a departure from

a straight flat line drawn along the tape center. While cupping can cause variations

in track- to- track signal amplitudes, skew causes a time misalignment of the

characters derived from each of the head tracks. Besides resulting from

temperature and humidity effects, skev/ can also be caused by poor web tension

during the manufacturing tape slitting process, by transport guide misalignment, and

by poor tape winding (for example, high speed rewinding) during operation prior to

storage. Sometimes, a skewed tape can be corrected by winding and rewinding the

tape a number of times at normal speeds onto a precision reel under careful tension

control. The tape is then allowed to relax for at least one day in the environment in

which the reading will be performed. It is beneficial to rewind the tape again

several times before reading.

Cinching can be caused by winding tension patterns which are produced by the tape

transport mechanism. It occurs as the result of a tape winding pattern in which the

direction of the tension vector in the tape windings will reverse somewhere within

the tape pack from an inward compressive tension, which shortens the tape near the

hub, to an outward (expansive) tension as the cold flow process continues. In the

region of the tape pack where the tension reversal takes place, there are a number

of tape layers under zero tension in which the layer- to- layer friction of the tape is greatly diminished. Hence, when the reel is mounted onto a tape transport and

accelerated or decelerated rapidly, the tape pack acts like individual concentric

cylinders in which the innermost portions of the reel may accelerate or decelerate

more rapidly than the outermost portions. Tape slippage occurs and causes a

cinching or creasing of the tape between these regions (cylinders); this damages both

the media and the data over a large region. There are commercial winders available

known as programmed tension winders which adjust the winding tensions so that

there is reduced compression in the inner tape layers near the hub; this eliminates

37Note conversion: 1 l^t,(psi) = 6.894 x 10^ Pa.

in-^

118
the zero tension layers in the tape pack and the tendency for tape slippage to occur. There is also a tendency for tapes to cinch if there is an insufficient initial

winding tension which has produced a loose or sloppy tape pack.

Tape pack distortion can be caused at low temperatures by the shrinking of plastic

reel hubs whose thermal properties are different from those of the polymeric tape

pack material. This causes the tape pack to loosen and the tape to cinch or buckle

(i.e., form a non-circular pack). Note that since the thermal coefficient of

expansion of aluminum is nearly equal to that of the polyester base film, therefore,

aluminum hubs can minimize this effect. The dimensions of the reel hub and the

compressibility of the hub material also have an effect on the characteristics of a computer tape pack which is held in long-term storage. It has been found that [18]:

(a) compressive forces on the hub can be reduced by keeping the ratio of the

outside pack diameter to the reel hub diameter to a value less than three,

and

(b) it is advantageous to have a large, incompressible hub because the more

incompressible the hub the more the tape pack resists distortion (buckling)

and tends to retain its cylindrical symmetry; it will also retain its initial

winding tension values over a longer period in storage.

The following are effects of elevated temperatures on a tape pack [19]:

. At 1210C (250OF), the substrate (mylar) becomes distorted.

. At 160OC (320OF), the substrate and the coating become soft; blocking

(i.e., layer- to-layer adhesion) begins in the tape pack windings.

. At 2880C (550OF), the substrate and the coating become darker and

brittle.

. At 5380C (lOOOOp), the substrate and the binder become charred.

In addition to the effects of temperature on the tape media, there are temperature

problems which are unique to the read/write heads themselves. These problems are caused by the differences in the temperature coefficients of expansion of the

various delicate head components and manifest themselves as changes in the head

signal response.

It is interesting to note that under normal winding stresses, the length of a 731 m

(2400 ft) computer tape will increase by approximately 0.305 m (1 ft) for each S.G^C

(10<^F) change in temperature or 10% change in relative humidity [7].

7.5 Signal Rise Effect

It has been noted that many different computer tapes display a steady rise in signal

amplitude as the tape is read from end-to-end (BOT to EOT) with the signal level

increasing most rapidly as the reel hub is approached. It appears that this signal rise or "tUt" effect is caused by the increasing tape pack pressures through their

smoothing or calendering effects on the tape surface. This smoothing effect

improves the head-to-tape contact continuously as a function of the increasing

winding pressures proceeding from the BOT to the EOT along the tape surface. In addition, the amount of signal rise has been found to be signal wavelength

dependent; this further validates the head-to-tape spacing (through smoothing)

119
theory as defined by the spacing loss equation (sec. 8.1-eq(4)). The percentage of

tilt also found to be a function of the read head characteristics during some of the

tests.

It is suggested as an experimental study, that the winding pressure and tension

characteristics of a tape transport be investigated throi^h the use of specially

produced, uncalendered, non-backcoated, soft-binder computer tape which will be

responsive to the surface smoothing mechanism after a shorter storage period. It has been observed at the ICST Computer Storage facility, that tapes with soft

binders which were stored for long periods of time displayed nonlinear signal level

responses along their length. This appears to indicate that different pressure

profiles developed in storage, assuming that the smoothing mechanism theory is valid. Also note the friction tab measurement technique in section 2.2.3.

It has also been observed, that the normal signal level rise from the BOT to the EOT

on a tape could be reversed so as to rise from the EOT to the BOT, if the tape is wound in the forward direction and then stored without rewinding, with the EOT

remaining in the outermost, low pressure, pack position.

120
8. Appendix B. Computer Magnetic Tape Recording and Materials

8.1 Computer Magnetic Tape Recording

(a) All reproduction of signals from present day computer tapes and disks is done inductively. That is, the reading of the signal from a tape surface is done by a transducer or head which responds only to the rate of change of

magnetic flux 0 issuing from the surface. Most present day computer

tape recording is in the form of "longitudinal" recording. In longitudinal

recording, the principal direction of magnetization is in the plane of the

surface and parallel to the direction of surface motion. Considerable

research is presently underway in the area of perpendicular recording.

(b) The basic inductive magnetic recording process proceeds as follows:

during the recording process, a magnetic field fringes outward from the

gap of a magnetic tape recording head. This magnetic field varies in both

intensity and direction dependent upon the current in the recording head

coils. This current is in turn controlled by an electronic system which

converts information bits to reversals in recording head current. The

fringing field from the recording head gap structure permeates the oxide

coating of the medium and leaves permanently magnetized areas in the

form of transition regions from which the tape surface fringing flux

emanates. A transition region is an area of the tape surface over which

the recorded magnetic flux reverses its polarity in response to the

recording signal. The read or reproduce head then senses these surface

fringing flux fields inductively and produces output voltage pulses at each

bit position; these voltage pulses represent the stored information bits.

There is no output from the read head except at those tape surface areas from which the fringing fields emanate. The signal strength derived from

the medium depends upon the gradient of the flux as follows:

The inductive output voltage e^ead f^orn the reading head is

ehead = ^= ^ ^ =vM (1)

dt dx dt dx

Where v = the relative reproducing head- to- medium velocity and,

d(f>= the rate of change of flux 0 with respect to the distance x dx along the medium surface, therefore the faster the medium moves

relative to the reproducing head, and the more rapidly the flux

varies with distance (over a transition region), then the greater the

output signal strength induced by each bit or transition region on the

tape.

(c) High density recording requires fast reversals in the direction of

magnetization in the media surface. As indicated, each reversal produces

a transition region, and typically one or two transition regions represent an information bit. The faster each reversal of magnetization, then the narrower each associated transition region, and therefore the more

magnetization changes or bits per unit length of surface (i.e., bit density) a media is capable of producing and storing.

121
Factors which influence the bit density and the signal strength obtainable

from the magnetic media are:

(1) The thickness t of the coating on the surface of the storage medium.

(2) The coercivity H^, of the magnetic oxide particles.

The ability of a magnetic material to resist the erasure of its recorded

information is dependent upon a quality known as coercivity which is

measured in units of amperes per meter (oersteds). The higher the

coercivity of a magnetic medium the more difficult it is either to record

onto or to erase information from its magnetic surface. In order to erase

the recorded signal completely, it is necessary that the strength of the

erasing field is greater in value than the coercivity of the magnetic

material.

In order to maximize the bit density, the foregoing conditions are related

as follows. The minimum width of a reproduced pulse at its 50%

points is:

This equation shows that in order to achieve high bit densities the

coercivity of the medium should be as high as possible and its coating

thickness t as small as possible. In addition, high coercivity opposes

the tendency of internal demagnetization fields which form in the

transition regions from forcing these regions to widen, and hence reduce

and limit the bit density capability of the medium.

The coercivity H^, is controlled through the processing of the magnetic

materials both physically and chemically. Hq can be made very high say,

80,000 A/m (1000 Oe); however, as increases, the recording or writing

head power must also be increased. This can cause head (pole tip)

saturation problems, and can deteriorate the sharpness of the writing head

fields; this affects the bit density capability of the system. Typical

coercivities for present day computer tapes are approximately

22,000 A/m (275 Oe) to 30,000 A/m (375 Oe) although coercivities on the

order of 48,000 A/m (600 Oe) are available in some new high energy tapes.

The thickness t of the magnetic coating should be made as thin as possible

consistent with an acceptable output signal, good surface finish,

uniformity of coating, and good wear characteristics. Signals that are recorded in the lower strata of a thick coating combine with the sharper

pulses produced near to the tape surface and tend to broaden the overall

signal. This reduces the ability of the medium to produce many sharp

pulses per unit length along the tape's magnetic surface coating.

Additional factors which affect the bit density capability and the signal

strength are:

(3) The spacing between the reading and writing head (transducer) and

the storage media.

(2)

122
(4) The shape or gradient of the magnetic field which extends or

fringes from the writing ^ head; where x is the longitudinal

component of the head's H field along the surface of the tape. H is the applied recording field strength in the x direction.

(5) The magnetic characteristics of the storage medium, ^ ^where I is the magnetization of the medium. ^ is the slope of the I-H

hysteresis loop of the magnetic material as it passes

through the H axis. A steep slope produces sharply defined switching

field characteristics.

(6) The following equation is derived from items (4) and (5) above [40]:

dl X dH = dl (3)

dH dx dx

where:

dl is the change in the intensity of magnetization as a function

dx of distance along the tape's magnetic surface: the greater ^

the greater the inductive (signal) voltage produced per

information bit.

(7) The crowding of adjacent signal bits at high densities, causes read

signal peak shifting; this can lead to data losses if the shift is greater

than a bit cell.

An important signal loss effect is caused by the head-to-media spacing.

The height of a flying head above a disk surface or the average distamce

of a magnetic tape reproducing head from the tape surface both cause

this loss. Head- to- tape spacing is caused by the roughness of the

magnetic surface and exists even though the head and tape operate in

apparent contact with each other. Modern computer magnetic tapes are being produced with average surface roughnesses of approximately

0.025 ^m (1 ;xin) to 0.15 /zm (6 ^in). In fact, improved surface

conditioning is one of the more important advances in present day

magnetic tape production methods. The equation which is used for

determining the loss of signal amplitude due to head-to-media spacing is

Loss (dB) = 54.5d (4)

A

where d = head-to-media distance.

A= signal wavelength

Note that the spacing loss is most severe for short wavelength, high

density recordings.

All of the preceding material explains why magnetic media which is intended for high density performance should have surface coatings which

are as thin and as smooth as possible, and also have as high a coercivity

123
Hq as the writing transducers can accommodate. However, the demands

for an output signal level from media which can function with

conventional equipment, requires that the surface not be made so thin as

to produce a very weak output signal. This is particularly true at low

signal frequencies, since low density recording usually produces a deeper

penetration into the media surface and therefore requires a thicker

surface coating than the high density, short wavelength recordings.

Magnetic Media Particles [40],[4l]

(a) The surface coatings of almost all computer magnetic tapes produced

today consist of ferromagnetic needle-shaped or "acicular" iron oxide

particles which are dispersed in an organic, typically, polyurethane binder.

The combination of these acicular particles and the binder results in a deep brown colored mixture with a paint-like consistency. The processes

which are required to achieve, maintain, and store this mixture are considered to be proprietary by each manufacturer. The mixture, in its

wet state, is coated uniformly by one of several processes onto a clear,

flexible plastic tape base web material usually made of polyethylene

terephthalate (mylar). If the binder and oxide have been mixed in the

proper proportions (the oxide particles usually constitute a volume

fraction of about 35% to 45% of the coating), then the tape remains

flexible and pliable after the coating dries.

WhUe the coating is stiU wet, the tape is subjected to a strong magnetic

field which physically turns and orients the needle-shaped particles so that their long axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mylar

(typically, 0.6 m (2 ft)) base web. The strength of the magnetic field, the

viscosity of the coating mix, and how weU the particles are dispersed in

the binder material will affect the quality of the final particle

orientation. If these factors are not carefully controlled, the oxide

particles will "clump" or "rope" together and produce a rough tape both

physically and magnetically after the coating is dried. Drying is performed with the aid of heat and a substantial flow of air. It is important to note that when dried, the acicular oxide particles are permanently fixed in position and thereafter do not move physically when

subjected to the strong writing head magnetic fields. At this point, the

tape web is slit into 12.7 mm (0.5 in) widths and 730 m (2400 ft) lengths;

these constitute the computer magnetic tapes. The slitting process must

be very carefully controlled.

Many present day computer tapes are also backcoated with a thin,

polyurethane binder which contains black, nonmagnetic, conductive,

carbon based particles. This backcoating reduces static buildup in the

tape, provides improved frictional characteristics, and reduces the

production and the effects of tape debris.

(b) The ferromagnetic material used in almost all computer storage media is magnetically hard, gamma ferric oxide (>'-Fe203) particles. Typically,

these particles are acicular (needle-like) in shape with a 6:1

length- to- width ratio, the length being about 0.50 ^m (20 ^in). The size

and volume of these particles causes them to behave as "single domain"

124
particles. Single-domain particles cannot maintain domain walls and their

state or direction of magnetization is altered by magnetic vector rotation

rather than by the domain wall displacements that take place in large bulk

magnetic materials.

High coercivities are achieved in single-domain particles by making

the particles acicular. Acicularity produces what is known as shape

anisotropy and gives each particle two (easy) directions of minimum free

energy from which it is difficult to reverse the direction of

magnetization. This is useful for magnetic tape since there is one

direction of linear tape movement and therefore the particles can be

oriented with their long axis parallel to this direction. In the case of

magnetic disks, it is more difficult to use acicular particles because they

cannot be oriented easily (although disks are available in oriented form).

In this case, y-Fe203 particles which display cubic crystalline anisotropy

with six directions of easy magnetization can be used since they do not

have to be physically oriented in the disk coatings. In addition, these

cubic y-Fe203 particles can be doped or epitaxied with a small quantity

of cobalt in order to raise their coercivity to a higher value.

Thin films of nickel-cobalt are often electrodeposited onto rigid disk

surfaces. These are excellent for high densities because of their thinness

and also because these thin films are able to produce higher intensities of

magnetization than a y-Fe203 particle coating of equivalent thickness.

That is, they can produce high bit densities with fairly strong signal

amplitudes. Unfortunately, thin metal films have not succeeded as coatings on flexible magnetic tape media because they do not adhere well

to the mylar plastic base substrates and tend to rub off on the contacting

recording and reproducing heads.

There are magnetic particle types other than gamma ferric oxide which

are available for use in computer tapes [40],[41]. However, as noted, at

the present time y-Fe203 particles are overwhelmingly prevalent in the

computer magnetic media field. This is due to their historical position,

low cost, good operational characteristics, and the general field and

production experience with these particles.

New particle research and development work is aimed at producing

smaller, well-configured particles which have high coercivities and high

intensities of magnetization in thin layers. When achieved, these

parameters allow for lower noise tapes, higher bit density capabilities,

higher signal levels, and smoother tapes which result in good head- to- tape

contact and less wear.

Since most computer tape systems have been designed to accommodate

y-Fe203 tapes, then much of the potential of new particles and media

cannot be realized if they are required to operate within the constraints

of these older conventional systems. This situation can be corrected

through the development of systems which are specifically designed to operate with the new media. Unfortunately, multi-system approaches can

create interchangeability and compatibility problems unless industry

standards are developed.

125
There are usually trade-offs which must be made for each new particle.

For example, chromium dioxide Cr02 particles have many good

characteristics including orientability and dispersability, excellent shape,

size, and surface qualities which are controllable, and high values of

magnetization and coercivities in thin layers. In addition, Cr02 tapes

display high bit density and signal level characteristics. However, Cr02

particle costs are high, they tend to be more abrasive than y-Fe203, and

they have a very low Curie temperature which can lead to the loss of

stored data in hot environments. Considerable effort has been applied

towards solving the Cr02 abrasivity (head wear) problem; in one instance,

through the development of smaller, homogeneous particles.

There are y-Fe203 particles whose characteristics are improved through

the chemical application of additional elements such as cobalt Co. Co is either directly doped into the structure of the y-Fe203 (Co substituted)

or cobalt ions are diffused as an epitaxial layer (Co adsorbed) onto its

surface. Cobalt processing makes it possible to achieve a large range of

coercivities; in fact, a 5% doping of Co makes it possible to achieve a

coercivity of 80,000 A/m (1000 Oe). However, cobalt substitution

produces particles with a greater H^, temperature sensitivity and

increased print-through in stored tapes.

A class of non-oxide, metal particles such as Fe and Fe-Co have been

developed. They have very high magnetizations, high coercivities and

remain ferromagnetic even when they are extremely small. A direct

substitution of Fe for y-Fe203 yields a +12 dB signal increase [41].

Unfortunately, these metal particles will rust or burn when exposed to air

and therefore require special protective coatings which are under

development at the present time.

126
9. Symbols and Abbreviations

A amperes

ADP automatic data processing

ANSI American National Standards Institute

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

bpi bits per inch

bpmm bits per millimeter

BOT beginning of tape (marker)

cgs centimeter gram second

C Celsius

Co cobalt

CO2 carbon dioxide

CPI characters per inch

CPU central processing unit

Cr02 chromium dioxide

d distance

dB decibels

emu electromagnetic units

eq equation

EOT end- of- tape (marker)

fig. figure

ft feet

ft2 square feet

ft^ cubic feet

F Fahrenheit

Fe iron

FSS Federal Supply Service

OCR group coded recording

GSA General Services Administration

Gy gray (absorbed dose)

H magnetic field intensity

coercivity

H(] demagnetization field

HEP A high efficiency particulate air filter

Hz hertz

in inch

in2 square inches

in^ cubic inches

I intensity of magnetization

ICST Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

kg kilogram

127
lb

Ibf

pound(s)

pound-force

m meter

square meters

cubic meters

mm millimeter

N newton

NBS National Bureau of Standards

NRZI non-return- to- zero-I (recording)

ozf ounce-force

Oe oersted

0 MB Office of Management and Budget (U.S.)

Pa pascal

PE phase- encoded (recording)

Pw pulse width (at the 50% of the pulse peak level)

rd rad (absorbed dose)

Rtf relative humidity

s second(s)

sec.(s) section(s)

SAS surface analysis system

SI International System of Units

SRM standard reference material

t thickness

T-H temperature-humidity

TMS tape management system (or tape library management system)

V relative velocity of the head to the medium

X coordinate in the longitudinal tape direction

[ ] brackets; enclose reference numbers given in section 6

o degree

degrees Celsius

°F degrees Fahrenheit

y gamma

y-Fe203 gamma ferric oxide

X wavelength

0 magnetic flux

/ per (e.g. A/m read "amperes per meter")

/i micro (=10"^)

Min microinch (=10"^ in)

^m micrometer (=10"^ m); also referred to as a micron

128
NBS-n4A (REV. 2-8C) U.S. DEPT. OF COMM. 1. PUBLICATION OR 2. Performing Organ. Report No. 3. Publication Date BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

REPORT NO. June 1983

SHEET (See instructions) NBS SP500-101

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

CARE AND HANDLING OF COMPUTER MAGNETIC STORAGE MEDIA

5. AUTHOR(S)

Sidney B. Geller

6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (If loint or other than NBS, see in struct/on sj

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

7. Contract/Grant No.

8. Type of Report & Period Covered

Final

9. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street. City. State, ZIP)

Same as item 6.

10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 83-600536

Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FlPS Software Summary, is attached.

11. ABSTRACT ( A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a si gntficant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here)

This Special Publication deals with the physical/chemical preservation of computer ma^etic

storage media—principally computer magnetic tapes—and their stored data, through the

application of proper care and handling methods under various conditions. It emphasizes the

media handling methods and environmental conditions which should be instituted during the course of controllable day-to-day and long-term archival storage activities. It also considers

measures which can be initiated during media transit and in the aftermath of catastrophic or uncontrollable events. However, the publication does not address the problem of computer

storage system security from the viewpoint of data theft or intentional data modification.

12. KEY WORDS (S/x to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only proper names; and separate key words by semicolons)

Archival storage; care and handling; certification/evaluation; computer tape, magnetic; clean

rooms; environmental effects; flexible disks; magnetic fields, effects of; rehabilitation,

computer tape; scheduled maintenance, computer tape; storage media, computer magnetic; tape

13. AVAILABILITY management systems.

[X] Unlimited

I I For Official Distribution, Do Not Release to NTIS

[X] Order From Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA. 22161

14. NO. OF

PRINTED PAGES

135

15. Price

$5.50

a us. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OfTICE : 1983 O—380-997 (5074)
.-.-'in.


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