Aluminum vs. glass hard drive platters: what difference does it make?

[mshan]

I just read that Hitachi is now using aluminum rather than glass hard drive platters.

What difference does this make in terms of data integrity and overall hard drive durability / reliability?

 

[Aeridyne]

 

[Alex]

Originally posted by: Aeridyne

nice comment..
anyway, one would think if it anything it improves overall data integrity/reliability etc because if not why would they do it eh...

 

[UTmtnbiker]

I have no idea as to the benefits/drawbacks, but intuitively thinking, glass should have a much lower CTE than aluminum so I would think glass would be the preferred method as far head to platter tracking goes.

On the other hand, Al should be much more durable than a glass based material from a shock (dropping) standpoint. In addition, Al is probably much cheaper than using glass.

You win some, you lose some I guess.

 

[Zepper]

Glass or ceramic has better dimensional stability than aluminum. But the newer aluminum alloys are good enough for 7200 rpm drives. I think you'll find that the 10k and 15k drives are going to continue to have glass or ceramic platters. And, of course, Al platters will be less expensive...

.bh.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, The material the platter is made of has little to do with data integrity. The magnetic coating handles that. Jim