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Abstract

A process for the production of substantially crystalline silicon nitride comprising heating a mixture of ammonia and a silicon halide by means of an electric plasma formed in a stream of a non-oxidizing gas is described. Energy is transferred to the stream of gas at a rate of at least 30 kilowatts per mole of silicon halide per minute and at least 25 kilowatts. In a preferred embodiment gaseous material is caused to recirculate within the reactor so that there is a recirculation ratio (RR) greater than 2.5 where RR is defined by ##EQU1## wherein M.sub.n =mass flow of gas stream through the inlet nozzle, R=internal radius of the reactor into which said gas stream flows, M=mass flow of gases in the reactor at a distance 4R downstream from the inlet nozzle, R.sub.n =radius of inlet nozzle, D.sub.n =density of gas stream passing through the inlet nozzle, D=density of gases in reactor at a distance 4R downstream from the inlet nozzle. The degree of crystallinity of the silicon nitride prepared according to this method is very high and typically greater than 85%

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