When a moderately stable phase is precipitated out during an intal reaction, the behaviour of the penetrating atoms within the diffusion zone can be interpreted based on thermodynamic considerations. Evidence for up-hill diffusion of the penetrating species through the matrix towards the precipitation front during the intal nitridation of Ni-Cr alloys at 1125℃ and 6000 bar of N2-pressure was predicted. Such behaviour of nitrogen is opposite to the boundary conditions in Wagner’s description of intal reactions. A volume change associated with the precipitation reaction resulted in a stress gradient between the alloys surface and the intal nitridation front. Stress relief occurred mainly by transport of nickel to the gas/metal interface. Pipe diffusion-controlled creep is the dominant stress accommodation mechanism during nitriding of dilute Ni-Cr alloys at 700℃ under a flowing NH3 + H2 gas mixture.