The 10 Strongest Materials Known To Man

This ranking is based on tensile strength (GPa) except where noted. Some materials (e.g., aerogel) are included for their unique properties, such as ultra-low density or thermal resistance.

Note: "Strongest" here refers to tensile strength (resistance to being pulled apart). For hardness (scratch resistance), diamond remains the hardest natural material (Mohs 10).

1. Graphene (130 GPa)

Graphene is the strongest known material, possessing unmatched tensile strength due to its single-atom-thick carbon lattice.

Graphene is a honeycomb two-dimensional film formed by carbon atoms with sp2 hybridisation. It is a monolayer sheet structure separated from graphite and is also the thinnest known material. The tensile strength and elastic modulus of graphene are 130 GPa and 1.1 TPa, respectively, and its strength is 100 times that of ordinary steel. Bags made of graphene, which can hold about 2 tons of weight, are by far the strongest material known.

2. Lonsdaleite (121~130 GPa)

Lonsdaleite, a rare hexagonal form of diamond, is theoretically stronger than conventional diamond.

Lonsdaleite was first identified in a crater by American geologist Lonsdale and defined as a hexagonal meteorite diamond. Like diamonds, they are made of carbon atoms, but their carbon atoms are arranged in different configurations. The results of the simulation indicate that lonsdaleite is 58% more resistant to pressure than diamond.

3. Diamond (90~100 GPa)

Diamond features exceptional tensile strength and hardness due to its compact tetrahedral crystal structure.

Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth, and it is an allotrope of carbon. The hardness of diamond is the highest level of Mohs hardness - grade 10. Its microhardness is 10 000 kg/mm2, which is 1 000 times higher than quartz and 150 times higher than corundum.

4. Carbon Nanotube (63 GPa)

Carbon nanotubes combine extreme strength and light weight, making them suitable for structural nanomaterials.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one-dimensional quantum materials consisting of hexagonal carbon atom arrangements formed into coaxial tubes. They can be classified as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) depending on the number of graphene layers. Carbon nanotubes possess excellent mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 63 GPa. Their elastic modulus can reach up to 1 TPa, which is equivalent to that of diamond and about 5 times that of steel.

5. Boron Nitride Nanotubes (33 GPa)

Like carbon, boron nitride can form single-atom sheets that can be curled up to form nanotubes. Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are structurally similar to carbon nanotubes and exhibit comparable tensile strength, with values around 33 GPa. Their main advantage arises from exceptional thermal and chemical stability, along with strong interfacial bonding with polymers—BNNTs show approximately 30% higher interfacial strength with PMMA and about 20% higher with epoxy resin compared to carbon nanotubes.

Boron nitride nanotubes possess optical properties, excellent mechanical and thermal conductivity, as well as resistance to high temperatures and neutron radiation, thus becoming effective additives for mechanical or thermal enhancement of polymer, ceramic and metal composites. Additional applications of boron nitride nanotubes include protective shields, electrical insulators, and sensors.

6. UHMWPE Fibre (30.84 GPa)

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibre is used in armour and medical devices due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.

UHMWPE is a type of fibre made from polyethylene with a relative molecular weight of 1 million to 5 million, which is currently one of the strongest and lightest fibres in the world. It is 15 times stronger than steel wire but very lightweight, and it is up to 40% lighter than materials such as aramid.

7. Metallic Glass (1.61 GPa)

Metallic glass features high strength and elasticity due to its disordered atomic structure.

Metallic glass, also referred to as amorphous metal, is usually an alloy with an amorphous and glass structure. This double structure grants it properties superior to those of crystalline metal and glass, such as good electrical conductivity, high strength, high elasticity, and improved wear and corrosion resistance. Metallic glass is stronger than steel and harder than hard tool steel.

8. Darwin's Bark Spider Silk (1.6 GPa)

This spider silk is recognised as one of the toughest biological materials, outperforming most synthetic fibres.

A new species of spider, Darwin's bark spider, has been discovered in Madagascar, producing the world's largest and most robust web. At 25 metres wide, the spider's web is the strongest biological material ever studied and 10 times stronger than Kevlar of the same size.

9. Silicon Carbide (0.3 GPa)

Silicon carbide is a durable ceramic known for thermal resistance and moderate tensile strength.

Silicon carbide is a natural mineral that occurs naturally or is produced from quartz sand, petroleum coke (or coal coke), wood chips and other raw materials by smelting at high temperature in a resistive furnace. Silicon carbide is hard with a Mohs hardness of 9.5, second only to the world's hardest diamond. In addition, silicon carbide has excellent thermal conductivity. It is a type of semiconductor and can resist oxidation at high temperatures.

10. Aerogel (0.02 GPa)

Aerogel is an ultralight material with minimal tensile strength, but it is valuable for thermal insulation.

Aerogel is a form of solid material with the lowest density in the world. Aerogels possess a remarkable strength-to-weight ratio due to their extremely low density and can withstand compressive forces thousands of times their mass, remaining thermally stable up to 1200°C.

Interested in sourcing high-performance materials for research or industrial applications? Stanford Advanced Materials (SAM) offers a wide range of advanced materials, including graphene, carbon nanotubes, and UHMWPE fibres. Learn more on our website.

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