Features of the growth of nitride layers in the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of chromium nitrides

The formation of product layers during combustion of a chromium powder in nitrogen under a pressure of 1–10 MPa is studied. It is shown that nitride Cr 2 N forms continuous protective layers, whereas during the formation of CrN, the product layer is partially destroyed. Strength properties of chromium nitrides were determined by the indentation method with a diamond indenter. CrN has a lower strength and higher brittleness compared with Cr 2 N, which can explain the above phenomenon.