BigPatents India

A process for the manufacture of aluminum nitride which comprises nitriding conventionally produced aluminum alloy having composition Cu 0.019, Fe 0.22, Mn 0.28, Si 0.03 to 0.3, Ni 0.02, Mg 0.5 to 5, Zn 0.06, Ti 0.02 weight% and remainder A1 in oxygen free atmosphere, in the presence of nitrogen at a pressure of 0.5 Mpa and a temperature in the range 750 to 1000 degree Celsius for a period in the range of 15 to 50 hours, cooling to a temperature ranging 25-350C in the holding pressure, followed by gradual reduction to ambient pressure. Aluminium nitride finds application in various industries as wear resistant coating, as electrical insulation and as a crucible material.