Borazon is the hardest substance that is artificially produced. Borazon is a crystal created by heating equal quantities of Boron and Nitrogen at temperatures greater than 1800 °C (3300 °F) at 7 GPa (1 million lb/in²). Borazon is the only substance that can scratch a diamond. A diamond too can scratch Borazon.
Borazon was first produced in 1957 by Robert H. Wentorf, Jr. , a physical chemist for the General Electric Company. In 1969, General Electric espoused the name Borazon as their trademark for the crystal.
Production
Borazon is used in industrial applications to shape tools as it can withstand temperatures greater that 2000 °C (3500 °F) much higher than that of a pure diamond at 871 °C (1600 °F). Other uses include jewellery designing, glass cutting and laceration of diamonds.
It was produced by GE Superabrasives a unit of GE Specialty Materials until the unit was sold to Littlejohn & Co. in December 2003.
See also
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