Analytical control for the content of small amounts of oxygen in aluminum nitride powders using a «Metavak-AK» analyzer

Abstract

A method for prompt and reliable control of low oxygen content in aluminum nitride powder using a modern gas analyzer «Metavak-AK» operating in automatic mode and never used previously for this object is presented. Aluminum nitride was obtained under conditions of pilot production at ISMAN by the method of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). A program for operation of a «Metavac-AK» analyzer has been developed for oxygen determination in AlN samples and optimal conditions of analysis were specified: reductive melting of a sample in a graphite crucible at a furnace temperature of 2700°C in the presence of a combined Sn/Ni flux in a helium flow. The total oxygen content in aluminum nitride powders and the relative standard deviation ranged within 1.01 – 1.18% and 1.75 – 9.87%, respectively.