HexSil Micro Disk Drive Arm

The mechanical properties of a novel material is characterized as part of the current effort to develop an integrated micro disk drive arm using mold micro-machining technology. A theoretical and finite element model of HexSil, a sandwich panel like material with hexagonal silicon cell structure are developed to determine the moduli of elasticity. In order to verify both theoretical and finite element model, HexSil test specimens with a width of 3 mm, a length of 19 mmand thickness of 0.1 mm are fabricated and tested using an ASTM standard four-point bending test. The natural frequency of the HexSil suspension showed considerable improvement compared to stainless steel suspension because of its stiff face and lightweight construction.