ZrN and AlN nitride ceramic powders have been synthesized by combustion synthesis using Si 3 N 4 and BN as solid nitrogen sources. The experimental results show that the metallic particles of Zr and Al are fully nitridized by the solid nitrogen sources and are converted into ZrN and AlN. Zr reacts with both Si 3 N 4 and BN in a self-sustained way, while Al reacts only with Si 3 N 4 and does not react with BN. By using Si 3 N 4 and BN as solid nitridizing agents, this work provides an alternative way to synthesize the nitrides of ZrN and AlN, which differs from the conventional nitridation method using N 2 gas as a nitridizing agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]