Superhard solid solutions of diamond and cubic boron nitride

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2012.02.006
• Publication Date: 2012-02-10T20:16:14Z
• Authors: Mingjun Tang; Duanwei He; Wendan Wang; Haikuo Wang; Chao Xu; Fengjiao Li; Junwei Guan
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

Single-phase BC 4 N can be formed at high pressure and temperature, starting with either a mixture of diamond and cubic boron nitride or graphite and hexagonal boron nitride. The samples exhibit extreme Vickers hardness (85 ± 4 GPa), reaching the hardness of single crystal diamond. Within a random solid solution model, the X-ray diffraction patterns of cubic BC x N solid solutions were calculated. The results indicate that the prepared B–C–N materials are continuous solid solutions with a zinc-blende structure.