Diamond-like metallic nanocomposites

A class of diamond-like solid state materials formed from interpenetrating networks of carbon, hydrogen and alloying alloying elements, comprising a first network of predominantly sp.sup.3 bonded carbon in a diamond-like carbon network stabilized by hydrogen, and at least one network made from alloying elements, including a second silicon network stabilized by oxygen and, optionally, a third metal network of metal elements from groups 1-7b and 8b of the periodic table wherein the carbon content of the solid state material is at least 40 atomic % of the sum of carbon and the other alloying elements, the hydrogen content is up to about 40 atomic % of the carbon concentration, and the sum of concentration of alloying elements is greater than about 2 atomic % of the sum of carbon, hydrogen, and the alloying elements.