A method and apparatus for converting liquid alloy into its thixotropic state (51) and for fabricating high integrity components by injecting subsequently the thixotropic alloy into a die cavity. The apparatus includes a liquid metal feeder (20), a high shear twin-screw extruder (30), a shot assembly (40) and a central control system. The apparatus and method can offer net-shaped components characterized by close to zero porosity, fine and equiaxed particles with a uniform distribution in the eutectic matrix, and a large range of solid volume fractions. |