Nitride is a rare natural substance. It is formed when nitrogen combines with an element of similar or lower electronegativity, such as boron, silicon, and most metals.

There are three general categories of nitrides: iconic, covalent, and interstitial. The most common nitrides are ionic, which react with water and produce ammonia. They are also called alkali nitrides.

Calcium nitride (CaN2) is a chemical compound with numerous applications. It is produced by a process that combines magnesium oxide with nitrogen gas at high temperatures to form a powder. The resulting material can be used to create hard steels, strong alloys, and high-strength ceramic materials.

Magnesium nitride (Mg3N2) is another chemical compound with many useful properties. It is made by a process that combines magnesium oxide and nitrogen gas at high temperatures to form a fine powder. The resulting material can be used for making a wide variety of other nitrides with desirable characteristics such as high hardness, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance.

Aluminium nitride (AlN) is another nitride compound with a range of interesting and practical properties. It is often used as an insulator in semiconductor devices. It is also known for its piezoelectric properties.

Some of the most important nitrides are those with large band gaps, such as boron nitride (BN), chromium nitride (CrN), and aluminum nitride (AlN). GaN is a critical wide-bandgap material valued as a blue light emitter in LEDs.