Silicone moulding is the process of shaping silicone rubber into precise, durable components using custom-designed tools and controlled pressure and temperature. This method is widely used across industries to produce everything from medical seals to automotive gaskets, offering exceptional reliability, hygiene and resilience.
At Silclear, we specialise in two core types of silicone moulding: compression moulding and injection moulding. While both techniques are used to create high-quality custom moulded silicone parts, they differ in how the silicone is handled, the complexity of the tooling, the production volumes they suit and the types of applications they best support.
Understanding the differences between these two techniques helps ensure the most efficient, cost-effective and high-performing decision when choosing compression moulding vs injection moulding.
What is Silicone Compression Moulding?
Silicone compression moulding is one of the oldest and most straightforward moulding techniques. It involves placing a pre-measured amount of uncured silicone rubber into a heated mould cavity. The mould is then closed, applying pressure that forces the material to fill the shape. Once cured under heat, the component is removed and trimmed into its final shape.
This method is particularly effective for:
- Lower to medium volume production
- Prototypes and new product development
- Simple or large silicone parts with minimal to moderate complexity
- Offering high part strength and excellent material consistency
- Lower tooling costs
What is Silicone Injection Moulding?
Silicone injection moulding uses a more automated and high-speed process, well-suited to high-volume production. In this method, Silicone rubber (often in the form of liquid silicone rubber or preheated solid material) is preheated and injected into a closed mould under pressure. It’s ideal for producing complex, high-precision components at scale.
Injection moulding offers:
- High consistency across high-volume, high-repeatability production.
- Greater design flexibility and tight tolerances for intricate geometries
- Fast production cycles
- Lower costs per part
- Minimal material waste
Compression Moulding vs Injection Moulding: Key Differences
| Feature | Compression Moulding | Injection Moulding |
| Best for | Small-to-medium runs, prototypes | High-volume production |
| Tooling cost | Lower upfront cost | Higher upfront cost, offset by lower part price |
| Part complexity | Simple to moderate | Moderate to complex |
| Production speed | Slower cycle times | Faster cycle times |
| Setup Time | Shorter | Longer (due to tooling) |
| Material waste | Low but slightly higher due to manual trimming | Very low, more efficient material use |
| Consistency & Repeatability | Good | Excellent |
When Should You Use The Different Types of Silicone Moulding?
Choosing between silicone compression moulding and silicone injection moulding depends on your project’s volume, complexity, budget, and lead time.
Compression moulding is ideal for:
- Custom silicone components in small batches
- Projects where tooling cost must remain low
- Fast prototyping or replacement parts
Injection moulding is best for:
- Mass production of custom silicone parts
- High-precision components with intricate detail
- Reduced per-part cost in high quantities
Both processes produce high-quality silicone parts; the key is selecting the one that aligns with your specific goals and constraints.
UK Silicone Moulding: Why Choose Silclear?
As an experienced UK-based silicone moulding manufacturer, Silclear offers both compression and injection moulding services in-house. With nearly 40 years of experience in developing bespoke solutions for OEMs, we deliver high-quality silicone mouldings to meet the demands of medical, dairy, automotive and industrial sectors.
Whether you’re looking to prototype a new product or launch a large-scale production run, our in-house team and specialist tooling partners are here to help. We’ll work closely with you to determine the most suitable moulding process for your exact needs, helping you balance quality, cost, and performance.
Want Expert Help Choosing the Right Moulding Process? Get in Touch
Silclear can help you decide whether compression moulding or injection moulding is best for your project. We can also guide you through material selection, tooling design, and delivery timelines.
To find out more about our silicone moulding capabilities, or to discuss your specific project, call us on +44 (0)1425 610700, email info@silclear.com, or enquire below.
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