Abstract: Process for producing high purity aluminum nitride powder by reacting aluminum sulfide with gaseous ammonia at an intermediate temperature (about 700.degree. C.) and holding at that temperature until an intermediate product (Al.sub.x N.sub.y S.sub.z) is formed where x, y, and z are integers; then further heating to a temperature above 1100.degree. C. and reacting with gaseous ammonia. A high purity, low oxygen containing, free flowing powder is produced. A posttreatment using a carbon source such as graphite further reduces the oxygen content. The oxygen content can be further reduced by reacting the aluminum nitride formed with carbon at about 1600.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention is characterized by two main methods of producing stabilized or partially stabilized zirconia powders with controlled particle size by use of complexing agents and hydrothermal treatment. A further embodiment of the invention is characterized by a combination of the first two methods to produce powders containing more than one major particle size. The invention also allows use of low cost readily available starting material, controlled doping level and incorporation of dual constituents such as MgO, CaO; Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgO; or Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, CaO in the structure for production of stabilized zirconia. Triply stabilized zirconia containing Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgO and CaO may also be produced. A final embodiment of the invention allows the production of dually and triply stabilized zirconia by hydrothermal treatment without the use of complexing agents.