The formation of product layers during combustion of a chromium powder in nitrogen under a pressure of 1-10 MPa is studied. It is shown that nitride Cr2N forms continuous protective layers, whereas during the formation of CrN, the product layer is partially destroyed. Strength properties of chromium nitrides were determined by the indentation method with a diamond indenter. CrN has a lower strength and higher brittleness compared with Cr2N, which can explain the above phenomenon.