A study has been made on how the structural state of the silicon affec
ts the nitriding at 1200-1400-degrees-C. As the initial powder becomes
more defective, the nitriding accelerates, and there is an increase i
n the importance of reactions in the gas phase, with an increase in th
e proportion of the alpha modification of silicon nitride, and a tende
ncy for elongated crystals to form.