scope:

This American National Standard for an unrecorded cartridge containing 0.250-inch (6.30-mm)-wide magnetic tape presents the minimum requirements for the mechanical and magnetic interchangeability of the cartridge between information processing systems, using physical recording densities in the range of 6400 to 10 000 flux transitions per inch (ftpi) (252 to 394 flux transitions per millimeter (ftpmm)).

The magnetic tape cartridge consists of two COplanar hubs loaded with 0.250-inch (6.30-mm)-wide magnetic tape (Figure 1). The tape is transported between hubs by an internal belt that is coupled by an internal belt capstan to the external drive. No tape-driving or position-sensing elements penetrate the cartridge.

This standard applies to cartridges used for data interchange. Where it applies to cartridge testing only, it is specifically stated.