A head gimbal assembly for a disk drive. The head gimbal assembly includes a
trace
suspension assembly backing layer including a gimbal. The trace suspension assembly
backing layer is formed of a conductive material having a first oxidation rate.
The head gimbal assembly further includes a gimbal conductive layer disposed upon
the gimbal and formed of a conductive material having a second oxidation rate lower
than the first oxidation rate. The head gimbal assembly further includes a slider
supported by the gimbal. The head gimbal assembly further includes a conductive
compound disposed between the gimbal conductive layer and the slider for electrically
grounding the slider to the trace suspension assembly backing layer.