AlN powders were synthesized at low temperatures (1300 and 1400 degrees C) by the carbothermal reduction-nitridation (CRN) method using multicomponent additive systems. The synthesis treatments were conducted in a graphite furnace with flowing nitrogen gas between 1200 and 1500 degrees C using powder mixtures with Al(2)O(3) C molar ratio of 1.3 and 0.5-3 wt% of CaF(2), Y(2)O(3), Li(2)CO(3) and/or SrCO(3) as additives In relation to the conventional CRN process, the use of multicomponent additive systems reduced the synthesis temper attire in 200 degrees C (CaF(2)-SrCO(3)), 100 degrees C (CaF(2)-Li(2)CO(3) and CaF(2)-Y(2)O(3)-Li(2)CO(3)) or < 100 degrees C (CaF(2)-Y(2)O(3) and CaF(2)-Y(2)O(3)-Li(2)CO(3)-SrCO(3)) X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the additives reacted with the alumina powder forming aluminate phases, which vaporized with the increase of synthesis temperature The enhanced AlN conversion rate was discussed in terms of the vaporization of aluminates in the reducing atmosphere (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved