Abstract: A process for producing aluminum nitride includes a nitrogen occluding step and a nitriding step. In the nitrogen occluding step, nitrogen is occluded in an aluminum powder having an average particle diameter of from 10 to 200 ?m by holding the aluminum powder in a nitrogen gas atmosphere of 460° C. or more for 10 minutes or more. In the nitriding step, the aluminum powder with nitrogen occluded therein is nitrided by developing a nitriding reaction at a temperature of from 500 to 1,000° C. while holding the aluminum powder in a nitrogen atmosphere whose nitrogen gas pressure falls in a range of from 80 to 300 kpa. Thus, aluminum nitride, in which aluminum is inhibited from remaining and which has small particle diameters, is calcined at a lower temperature and is actively used to make high-quality substrates, can be produced at a lower temperature with a high yield.

Abstract: A process for producing aluminum nitride includes a step of holding an aluminum powder in a nitrogen atmosphere whose nitrogen gas pressure falls in a range of from 105 to 300 kPa, thereby developing a nitriding reaction at a temperature of from 500 to 1,000° C., wherein a reaction controller gas, controlling the development of the nitriding reaction, is supplied into a reactor chamber in which the aluminum powder is accommodated. In the production process, the reaction controller gas is included in the nitrogen atmosphere in the development of the nitriding reaction. Accordingly, the development of the nitriding reaction is controlled so that it is possible to develop the nitriding reaction at a lower temperature. As a result, it is possible to produce an aluminum nitride powder whose particle diameters are fine.

Abstract: A process for producing aluminum nitride includes a nitrogen occluding step and a nitriding step. In the nitrogen occluding step, nitrogen is occluded in an aluminum powder having an average particle diameter of from 10 to 200 &mgr;m by holding the aluminum powder in a nitrogen gas atmosphere of 460° C. or more for 10 minutes or more. In the nitriding step, the aluminum powder with nitrogen occluded therein is nitrided by developing a nitriding reaction at a temperature of from 500 to 1,000° C. while holding the aluminum powder in a nitrogen atmosphere whose nitrogen gas pressure falls in a range of from 80 to 300 kpa. thus, aluminum nitride, in which aluminum is inhibited from remaining and which has small particle diameters, is calcined at a lower temperature and is actively used to make high-quality substrates, can be produced at a lower temperature with a high yield.

Abstract: A process for producing aluminum nitride includes a step of holding an aluminum powder in a nitrogen atmosphere whose nitrogen gas pressure falls in a range of from 105 to 300 kPa, thereby developing a nitriding reaction at a temperature of from 500 to 1,000° C., wherein a reaction controller gas, controlling the development of the nitriding reaction, is supplied into a reactor chamber in which the aluminum powder is accommodated. In the production process, the reaction controller gas is included in the nitrogen atmosphere in the development of the nitriding reaction. Accordingly, the development of the nitriding reaction is controlled so that it is possible to develop the nitriding reaction at a lower temperature. As a result, it is possible to produce an aluminum nitride powder whose particle diameters are fine.