Abstract Iron nitride composites (γ′-Fe 4 N/ε-Fe 3 N) were successfully synthesized via gas nitridation using atomized iron powders with an average particle size of 30 μm under NH 3 /N 2 atmosphere conditions. A systematically investigation was conducted to explore the effects of different nitriding temperatures on the microstructures and magnetic properties of iron nitride composites. The precipitation of γ′-Fe 4 N and ε-Fe 3 N hinders the domain movement, resulting in an increase in the coerci