CONTEXT

Normally, the production of superhard bulk nanomaterials requires the high pressure-high temperature conditions. In the case of metastable nanophases such as nano-cBN, the temperature and time of synthesis should be well controlled. Currently available superhard phases show either low thermal and chemical stability (diamond), or remarkably low hardness as compared to diamond (conventional cBN). Recently, an original method has been developped for production of nanostructured B-N phases using various techniques including quasi-hydrostatic, uniaxial and shock compression. The innovation of the technology is based on the concept of using metastable graphite-like BN precursors to form the high performance bulk materials for abrasive applications. This innovation includes (1) the ability of stabilization of nanoparticles at high pressure and high temperature, and (2) the use of bulk starting material that allows one to avoid the contaminations of resulting nanostructured bulk. The superhard nano-cBN demonstrates substantial performance to replace the currently available materials for cutting and shaping of hard ferrous alloys.