High-pressure direct synthesis of aluminium nitride

We report the results of direct synthesis of aluminium nitride (AIN) under high nitrogen pressure up to 1 GPa and temperatures up to 2000 K. At pressure from 10 to 650 MPa we observe the combustion synthesis of A1N. As the result of the combustion process one can obtain the A1N sintered powder or A1N/A1 metal matrix composites. For N2 pressure higher than 650 MPa the crystal growth of A1N from the solution of atomic nitrogen in aluminium is possible. Both needle-like and bulk A1N single crystals, up to 1 cm and 1 mm, respectively, have been obtained.