The design of new superhard materials (with hardness H > 20GPa) is a current challenge to scientists and engineers. The synthesis of intrinsically hard materials requires extreme conditions of high temperature and pressure. Thus, efforts have been devoted to develop superhard materials based on the singular properties of nanoparticles.

CINN’s research focuses in the development of ceramic matrix composites with hardness comparable to diamond. Unlike most metals, hardness levels in ceramics generally remain high at elevated temperatures, which means that their integrity is relatively unaffected at high cutting speeds. Ceramics are also chemically inert against most workmetals. The singular properties of nanocrystalline metals embedded in dense ceramic matrices open a new avenue to prepare superhard materials suitable to be used as cutting tools for metallurgical applications where diamond-based materials do not work e.g. machining of cylinders for Cold-Rolled Lamination Quality Steel, machining of titanium-based alloys.

The CINN has a strong experience in ceramic-metal nanocomposites constituted by:

• Ceramic matrix formed by Aluminum Oxide, Aluminum Oxide-Zirconium Oxide, YAG, Aluminum Oxide-YAG, Al-Mg-spinel.
• Metal nanoparticles of the following high G metals: Tungsten, Molybdenum, Nickel.