Harder Than Diamonds MEEN 3344 By: Eric Fuqua

Ultrahard Fullerite (C60): Estimated hardness of 1.17-1.52 times that of diamonds [1]. Only microscopic quantities now.[1] Scratch hardness must be measured under Atomic Force Microscope.[1][2] Under the microscope it is shown that it can scratch diamonds.[2] Also called buckyballs[2]

Carbon Nanotubes: Cylindrical Buckyball formation.[3] Most composed of fullerite so same hardness, however the intertwining orientation make it difficult to scratch or cut diamonds.[3] Amazing thermal conductivity 6000 watts per meter per Kelvin (copper-385) [3] Up to 1000 times the electrical carrying potential of copper [3] Stiffest and strongest materials discovered on earth[3] A multi-walled tube has been tested to have a 63GPa tensile strength, which is equal to 6300 kg on a cable with cross-section of 1 mm^2 [3] Hexagonal Orientation [3]

Synthetic Diamonds: Gem sized diamonds grown 100 times faster than normal Grown using a microwave vapor disposition technique The by applying 5-7 GPa’s of pressure at an approximated 2000*C, the hardness is said to be raised to 50% higher than that of typical synthetic diamonds.[1] Regular synthetic diamonds typically have a hardness ranging from 35-75% that of a typical crystal diamond.[5] Preformed by: Chih-shiue Yan and associates - Carnegie Institute of Washington [1] Photos?

References: 1. 24carat.co.uk/harderthandiamondframe.html 2. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullerene 3. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_nanotube 4. www.personal.reading.ac.uk/~scsharip/tubes.htm 5. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/synthetic_diamonds Pictures: (from sources not listed above) 6. www.xymara.com/inmyx/article-30todsiehtgutaus-01.jpg upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/8/8f/20061210025847!Apollo_synthetic_diamond.jpg 8. www.ghanaiansupplies.com/diamond.jpg 9. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/C60-Fulleren-kristallin.JPG/250px-C60-Fulleren-kristallin.JPG 10. www.anthonares.net/nanotube.jpg