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Abstract

Disclosed herein are reactors and methods for forming alloys based on titanium-aluminium or alloys based on titanium-aluminium inter-metallic compounds. The reactor comprises a first section having an inlet through which precursor material comprising titanium subchlorides and aluminium can be introduced. The first section is heatable to a first temperature at which reactions between the titanium subchlorides and aluminium can occur, and further comprises a gas outlet via which any gaseous by-product formed can be removed. The reactor also comprises a second section which can be heated to a second temperature at which reactions of material transferred from the first section can occur to form the titanium-aluminium based alloy, a gas driver adapted in use to cause any gaseous by-product formed in the reactions in the second section to move in a direction towards the first section, and an intermediate section between the first and second sections. The intermediate section can be heated to an intermediate temperature at which at least a portion of material transferred from the first section can accrete and form a cake on a surface of the intermediate section and at which gaseous by-product formed in the reactions in the second section can be received and condensed. The reactor also comprises a removing apparatus for removing caked material from the surface of the intermediate section and transferring it to the second section.

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First Claim