ULTRAHARD AND SUPERHARD PHASES OF FULLERITE C-60 - COMPARISON WITH DIAMOND ON HARDNESS AND WEAR

Hardness and wear of ultra- and superhard fullerites and diamond were measured. The measured hardness was revealed 137+/-6 and 167+/-5 GPa f or the diamond faces (100) and (111) respectively and that for the ult rahard fullerites was 290+/-30 and 310+/-40 GPa depending on synthesis conditions. The method of sclerometry (scratch at a constant indenter load) was used for the hardness measurements. The diamond surface (11 1) was deformed as a plastic material under the scratching with the ul trahard fullerite C-60 indenter at room temperature. A wear resistance of ultrahard fullerite ceramic in order exceeds that of polycrystal ( carbonado-type) diamond. The results of hardness and wear measurements of ultra-and superhard fullerites show a good opportunity for process ing of hard and superhard materials. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.