Appendix E
Table of Hardness: The Mohs Hardness Scale
The Table of Hardness, or Mohs scale, lists 10 materials whose surface presents a
different resistance to scratch. Talc is the one that is most easily affected, while
diamond is the hardest. A list of different tools, able to scratch different materials, is
given in the figure as term of paragon for visualizing the effects (Fig. E.1).
Note: Do not confound hardness and fragility as they are two different
properties. Diamond is very hard and very fragile (it will not be scratched by a nail,
but will be pulverized by hammer!)
Fig. E.1 Scale of hardness
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. Aresta and A. Dibenedetto, The Carbon Dioxide Revolution,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59061-1
241
Table of Hardness: The Mohs Hardness Scale
The Table of Hardness, or Mohs scale, lists 10 materials whose surface presents a
different resistance to scratch. Talc is the one that is most easily affected, while
diamond is the hardest. A list of different tools, able to scratch different materials, is
given in the figure as term of paragon for visualizing the effects (Fig. E.1).
Note: Do not confound hardness and fragility as they are two different
properties. Diamond is very hard and very fragile (it will not be scratched by a nail,
but will be pulverized by hammer!)
Fig. E.1 Scale of hardness
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. Aresta and A. Dibenedetto, The Carbon Dioxide Revolution,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59061-1
241