An injection moulding technology for magnesium alloys called “Thixomoulding” was very prominently displayed by an American manufacturer at the recently concluded Chinaplas 2005. Thixomat from Ann Harbour Michigan USA owns the worldwide patent rights to the process. Discovered more than 30 years ago, the technology has caught on only in the last 7-8 years. Many companies are now realizing the process provides them with a competitive edge.
Magnesium is the lightest of the structural metals. Thixomoulding process enables manufacturers to produce parts that are lighter, thinner and stronger than possible with engineering plastics. People are surprised to see the components that are very light in weight and yet quite strong.
Thixomoulding has become popular in the consumer electronics industry since its commercial introduction and continues growing as a favorite of manufacturers of cell phones, computers, cameras, sporting goods, hardware and other consumer and industrial products. Thixomolded parts exhibit greater dimensional stability and provide tighter tolerances with far less porosity than possible with those components. Thixomolding is environmentally friendly. There's no dross or sludge produced and no harmful cover gases are released into the atmosphere. The process takes place in a closed machine operated by a single person.
Automotive companies, now mandated to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency, are looking to lightweight magnesium as one solution. Thixomolded(R) magnesium offers advantages over magnesium components produced by die casting process.
