Chinese Researchers Create Diamond That Resists Shattering

A research team from the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Beihang University reported a diamond that cannot be broken by a hammer-type impact. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal *Nature Synthesis* and made available online on July 9. The scientists achieved this by embedding multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)—extremely thin carbon fibres—within the crystal lattice, forming an internal support structure.

South China Morning Post

Traditional diamonds, while the hardest natural material, are brittle and can fracture under sharp blows. Prior attempts to increase toughness typically reduced hardness, limiting practical use. The new method preserves the diamond’s hardness while boosting its fracture resistance by a factor of six, according to the paper. The authors also note that the resulting material exceeds the toughness of tungsten alloys employed in armour-piercing ammunition, positioning it as the toughest known diamond-based substance.

South China Morning Post

The enhanced toughness expands the range of industrial applications for diamond tools. Existing uses such as cutting, drilling, and polishing could benefit from longer-lasting components that resist chipping and breakage. Moreover, the material’s combination of extreme hardness and high fracture resistance may open avenues in fields requiring durable, wear-resistant components, including aerospace and defense manufacturing.

South China Morning Post

The project reflects a joint effort between two leading Chinese research institutions: the Institute of Physics, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Beihang University. Both organizations have a history of advanced materials research, and the collaboration leveraged expertise in high-pressure synthesis and nanomaterial engineering to realize the breakthrough.

South China Morning Post