Abstract
AlN/BN nanocomposite powders were produced by heating the starting materials of boric acid, alumina and carbon powders in nitrogen atmosphare. At above 800 oC, aluminum borate was formed by reaction of boric acid with alumina, and the AlN/BN nanocomposite powder was synthesized by carbothermal reduction and nitridation of aluminum borate over at 1500 oC. The AlN/BN nanocomposites sintered by pressureless sintering the nanocomposite powders showed high thermal conductivity and good machinability.