2006-11-15 07:04:21 · 4 answers · asked by richmatters 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Diamonds are the hardest natural material; but there are harder man-made materials.
Aggregated Diamond Nanorods (ADNR) were developed last year. ADNR can scratch natural diamonds, thus ADNR is harder than natural diamond and consequently more resistant against abrasion.
polyyne, a superhard molecular rod comprised of acetylene units - that resists 40 times more longitudinal compression than a diamond. Ironically, these glittery gems are comprised from the element carbon and have the weakest type of chemical bonds, while polyyne has the strongest bonds in carbon chemistry.
I wasn't able to find a comparison of polyyne and ADNR, but I believe ADNR was developed first and held the title until polyyne was developed a short time later. I'm not positive about the order though. Either one is harder than my head which is saying something.
2006-11-15 07:21:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Diamond in both cases.
Natural diamonds are the hardest naturally-occurring material.
Aggregated diamond nanorods are currently the hardest successfully synthesized material.
2006-11-15 07:07:46 · answer #2 · answered by leprechaun 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Diamond is the hardest natural substance.
Boron nitride is harder, it is synthetic but has the same crystal structure as diamond.
2006-11-15 07:32:47 · answer #3 · answered by christopher N 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is diamond (natural) and moissanite (natural, but so scarce it is now lab-created). Moissanite is second-hardest to diamond.
2006-11-15 07:09:26 · answer #4 · answered by CincyJen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋