Nano-indentation and nano-scratch tests were peformed to assess the mechanical and tribological properties of the coating on a commercially available thin-film magnetic recording disk. Surface topography and roughness of the disk was studied using atomic force microscopy. The hardness and elastic modulus data show a peak at an indentation depth equivalent to the thickness of carbon overcoat, indicating strong influence of the coatin $g_strate interaction and the coating surface roughness on the measurements. The variations of surface roughness data were analysed statistically based on the normal probability distribution theories and Weibull cumulative probability theories.es.