ReB2 is a synthetic superhard material made of rhenium diboride. It was first created in 1962 and has recently been synthesized again in the hopes of obtaining a high hardness that is equivalent to diamond’s. Although this is a matter of definition, the claimed ultrahigh hardness has been contested because rhenium diboride was able to scratch the diamond in the initial test.

This material’s production process does not use high pressures like that of other hard synthetic materials, including cubic boron nitride, which lowers the cost of manufacture. Rhenium, however, is a pricey metal in and of itself.

Rhenium, known for its tolerance to high pressure, and boron, which forms quick, powerful covalent bonds with rhenium, combine to produce the combination.

At standard atmospheric pressure, ReB2 can be produced by at least three separate processes: solid-state metathesis, melting in an electric arc, and direct heating of the elements.

NextGen’s BrinGen – 3000 Series – Digital Brinell and Automatic Brinell Hardness Tester Hardness Value Reference for Rhenium Diboride is 4600 HB

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