Evaluation of nitrogen conversion ratio on reaction between BN and aluminum

Abstract

The fundamental reaction behavior between aluminum powder and boron nitride (BN) powder was investigated, and a quantitative evaluation of aluminum nitride (AlN) formation was carried out. As a result of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis, an exothermic reaction between BN and aluminum was detected at temperatures between 1073 and 1173 K. The conversion ratio of BN to AlN increased with increasing heating temperature. However, the nitrogen conversion ratio appeared to saturate with a holding time of 3.6 ks at temperatures above 1273 K. The nitrogen conversion ratio increased by using 1 mm BN powder instead of 10 mm BN powder. The effect of using the fine BN powder was significant especially when the heating time was short (<300s). © 2011 The Japan Institute of Metals.