Powders of aluminum nitride can be prepared by self-sustain high-temperature synthesis (SHS) between aluminum and nitrogen but its high exothermic effect causes melting and evaporation of aluminum and low efficiency of such reaction. A presence of inorganic salt in the starting powder mixture can decrease a heat evolved in the SHS reaction, hinders melting and coalescence of aluminum, and facilitates penetration of nitrogen into interior of a powder bed. Mixtures of alumina powders with different grain sizes and different amounts of aluminum carbonate were subjected to the SHS reaction under 0.05, 0.1 or 1 MPa nitrogen. The powders were composed of aluminum nitride, unreacted aluminum, aluminum oxynitride and in some cases corundum and aluminum oxycarbonate. The finale effects are strongly dependent on the amount of the salt, a grain size of aluminum and a nitrogen pressure.