Aluminum Nitride Whisker Formation during Combustion Synthesis

In this study, the microstructural development of AlN during combustion synthesis (CS) in a nitrogen atmosphere was investigated. CS using an aluminum–50 wt% AlN–3 wt% MgCl 2 powder compact yielded a mixture of AlN whiskers and powder. The microstructural development during the combustion reaction was studied by heating the compact to various temperatures. Based on the experimental results, the formation mechanisms of the AlN with a whisker morphology were discussed.