Abstract: Gamma-aluminum oxynitride ground powders, white in color and well suited for conversion into optically transparent ceramic shaped articles, 100% of the particles of which being less than 10 .mu.m in size and exhibiting a transmittance of at least 8%, are prepared by grinding particulate gamma-aluminum oxynitride agglomerates having a porosity of greater than 75%, such agglomerates themselves being produced by interreacting dry powdery admixture of aluminum nitride, alpha-alumina, and an alumina of high specific surface area or precursor thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for the manufacture of fine powder of silicon nitride, to this powder and to the sinters obtained from the latter. The process comprises the reaction, in a nitrogen countercurrent and in continuous fashion, of silica, carbon and a seed crystal, in the presence of a volatile compound of a metal chosen from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ge, Sn, Ti, Hf, Na and Ba, in a reaction zone possessing a temperature gradient, comprising a hot zone in which the said metal compound passes into the gaseous state and a cold zone in which the said metal compound in the gaseous state condenses, the said metal compound in the gaseous state being carried from the hot zone to the cold zone by the nitrogen countercurrent.