Unique mechanical properties of fullerite derivatives synthesized with a catalytic polymerization reaction

Fullerite derivatives synthesized with a catalytic polymerization reaction at a relatively low-pressure range of 0.5-4 GPa show unique mechanical properties: elastic recovery is 98% and hardness possibly approaches 100 GPa. Structure of the samples is also unique: one composes from fragments of C60 molecules linked by the covalent bonds. To obtain the homogeneous crack-free samples, we synthesized B4C-fullerite derivatives composite which show a 550 MPa flexural stress, a 2250 MPa compressive strength, and a 28 GPa hardness and have density of 2.2 g/cm³.