As a materials science expert, I have a deep understanding of the various properties of different materials, both natural and synthetic. When it comes to the hardest man-made materials, we're often talking about materials that are extremely resistant to scratching, abrasion, and indentation.
The title of the hardest man-made material is a subject of ongoing research and development, as new materials are constantly being discovered and engineered. However, as of my last update,
diamond-like carbon (DLC) and
wurtzite boron nitride are among the hardest known man-made materials. Diamond-like carbon is an amorphous form of carbon where the carbon atoms are bonded together in a manner similar to that in a diamond, providing it with exceptional hardness and strength. Wurtzite boron nitride is another material that has a structure similar to diamond and is also extremely hard.
It's important to note that the hardness of a material can be measured in different ways, such as Vickers hardness, Knoop hardness, or Brinell hardness, and the ranking might vary slightly depending on the measurement method used.
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