In order to investigate the formation of AlN, mechanical alloying was carried out in and atmosphere. Differential thermal analysis (DTA), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and chemical analysis were carried out to examine the formation behavior of aluminum nitrides. No diffraction pattern of AlN was observed in XRD analysis of the as-milled powders in atmosphere. However, DTA and chemical analysis indicated that the precursors for AlN were formed in the Al powders milled in atmosphere. The AlN precursors transformed to AlN after heat treatment at and above . It was considered that the reaction between Al and was possible by the formation of fresh Al surface during mechanical alloying of Al powders.