Aluminum nitride whisker formation during combustion synthesis

Abstract

In this study, the microstructural development of AIN during combustion synthesis (CS) in a nitrogen atmosphere was investigated. CS using an aluminum-50 wt% AlN-3 wt% MgCl2 powder compact yielded a mixture of AIN 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 AIN with a whisker morphology were discussed.