We disclose a bi-layer wear pad, for use in a slider/magnetic media interface, comprising a wear layer and an adhesion layer. The wear material is either carbon or a carbonaceous material. Typical carbonaceous materials useful for wear layers include elements such as hydrogen, fluorine, nitrogen, boron, and silicon dioxide. The adhesion layer is a thin cermet such as nichrome oxide (NiCrOx) or chromium silicon oxide (CrSiOx). Use of the cermet adhesion layer allows a relatively thick wear layer to be deposited with good adhesion and superior durability.