Apparatus and methods for the production of metal compounds

摘要

The present invention relates to a stepwise method for the production of titanium-aluminum compounds and some titanium alloys and titanium-aluminum inter-metallic compounds and alloys. In a first step an amount of aluminum is mixed with an amount of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and then an amount of titanium chloride (TiCl4) is added to the mixture. The mixture is heated to a temperature of less than 220° C. to form a product of TiCl3, aluminum and AlCl3. In a second step, more aluminum can be added if required, and the mixture heated again to a temperature above 900° C. to form titanium-aluminum compounds. This method results in the production of powdered forms of titanium-aluminum compounds with controllable composition. Suitable reactor apparatus is also described.

主权项

1. A stepwise method of producing titanium-aluminium compounds or alloys, comprising a first step of:
reducing an amount of titanium chloride (TiCl4) with an amount of aluminium at a temperature below 160° C. to trigger reactions to form titanium subchloride(s) and aluminium chloride (AlCl3) products in a first reaction zone, wherein before the reduction reactions commence, the aluminum is mixed with an amount of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) which acts as a catalyst for the reaction between titanium chloride and aluminum; and then a second step of: mixing said products, with the addition of more aluminium if required, and heating the mixture in a second reaction zone to a temperature above 900° C. to form AlCl3 in a gas phase, and to produce a reaction end product of the titanium-aluminium compounds or alloys.