Thixomolding

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Thixomolding is the name used by the American company Thixomat Inc to describe a method for injection-moulding metal which is very analogous to the injection-moulding process for plastics.

At present it works only with magnesium alloy; the alloy is provided in the form of pellets, which are cut from lengths of extruded rod which has been stirred during the extrusion process to encourage a spheroidal grain structure [1]. The pellets are carefully brought to a semi-molten state in which thixotropic flow allows it to fill the mould very precisely, and is then forced at high pressure into the mould.

Using the process involves paying licensing fees to Thixomat; it is mostly used for extremely high-end castings such as camera bodies.