What's harder than a Diamond?

[Timm]

Has anything been found that is harder than a diamond? I've always wondered about this after I found out that diamonds are used for drilling and stuff.

 

[jordyonbass]

There are synthetic substances that are harder than diamond, graphene being one. I think there is some debate about whether Silicon Carbide AKA Moissanite is actually harder than diamond as well, I think it depends on it's application. Porsche used Silicon carbide in the clutch and brake discs for the amazing Carrera GT about 10 years ago and that car had the stopping power to re-arrange the driver's facial features and internal organs.

(I think this is allowed since this is not gem related but rather an off-topic, mineral chemistry post?).

 

[Karl_K]

Silicon Carbide AKA Moissanite is actually harder

The specific type of Silicon Carbide that is called Moissanite is not harder than diamond however some other types of Silicon Carbide approach and may slightly beat diamond in hardness.
Silicon Carbide is a family of materials not a specific material which is why it gets confusing.

 

[Karl_K]

Technically graphene is a family of materials and not a specific material also.

 

[Timm]

Thanks guys. This goes to show, you really do learn something new every day. I don't know why I had the idea that diamonds are the hardest.

 

[Karl_K]

Thanks guys. This goes to show, you really do learn something new every day. I don't know why I had the idea that diamonds are the hardest.

Many school books still teach that it is the hardest instead of it is the hardest natural material from Earth.

 

[VRBeauty]

I know a few people who are incredibly stubborn... they might qualify....

 

[Karl_K]

I know a few people who are incredibly stubborn... they might qualify....

*grin*

 

[Bron357]

Diamond is the most abrasion resistant natural material on earth. Some people mistakenly equate "hardness" to impact resistance. Obviously any crystal is relatively low on "impact resistance". A diamond "smacked hard" on a hard surface is likely to chip which can come as a nasty surprise.

 

[jordyonbass]

Diamond is the most abrasion resistant natural material on earth. Some people mistakenly equate "hardness" to impact resistance. Obviously any crystal is relatively low on "impact resistance". A diamond "smacked hard" on a hard surface is likely to chip which can come as a nasty surprise.

I wonder how diamond would compare to silicon carbide for industrial applications like the brake discs I mentioned. If you look at the Porsche Carrera GT, the discs were made of a material used in an aerospace program and then coated with Silicon Carbide dust. I wonder what the difference would be if they used diamond dust instead as that quality in Diamonds would have some kind of effect. Exactly what, I don't know.

I don't think price would have been an issue either, the Lykan Hypersport has diamond, sapphires and rubies encrusted in the headlights and tail lights and was worth $3.4 million brand new!
My guess is the heat caused and diamond's properties for heat transfer is the issue.

This is a pretty cool topic.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Has anything been found that is harder than a diamond? I've always wondered about this after I found out that diamonds are used for drilling and stuff.

..Does a guy really need to ask this Q ?...

 

[Karl_K]

I wonder how diamond would compare to silicon carbide for industrial applications like the brake discs I mentioned. If you look at the Porsche Carrera GT, the discs were made of a material used in an aerospace program and then coated with Silicon Carbide dust. I wonder what the difference would be if they used diamond dust instead as that quality in Diamonds would have some kind of effect. Exactly what, I don't know.

SC is tougher than diamond so it would likely last longer.
SC has replaced diamond is many drilling applications.