During the process of silicone compression molding, an uncured rubber material or preform is correctly placed into a heated mold typically consisting of a top and bottom plate with half of the part cavity cut into each plate. And the mold is then placed into the compression molding press which put on pressure to make the mold highly clamped, then the preform material will fills the mold cavity. The material is by the shape of the mold and produces a cured and molded components.

Hot Compression Molding is a kind of method, in which the composite is first placed in the heat of the open tool. Then close the tool and the pressure to force the material into contact with all the tools area, while keeping the heat and pressure until the course of curing.

Cold Compression Molding is a manufacturing process that curing happens at an indoor temperature. In this method, the reinforced material is first laid on the mold, and then the resin glue liquid/curing agent is poured, and the product is formed after a certain pressure and time. The molding temperature of compression molding generally does not exceed 160, forming pressure 0.07~0.35MPa, so can use cheap materials for mold. However, the production efficiency and dimensional accuracy of cold compression molding are slightly lower than that of hot compression molding, which is suitable for the production of large products of medium quality.

Benefits of Silicone Compression Molding:

♦ Rapid mold changeovers

♦ Low lead time for manufacturing parts

♦ Capable of processing most elastomers and cure systems

♦ Ideal for material requiring longer cure times

♦ Easy to prototype

♦  Wide applications of part size

Drawbacks of Silicone Compression Molding:

♦ More waste

♦Lower precision

♦ Slower manufacturing process time

♦ Need de-flashing

♦ High labor costing

♦ Do not work well for complex-design parts

Hot Compression Molding is a kind of method, in which the composite is first placed in the heat of the open tool. Then close the tool and the pressure to force the material into contact with all the tools area, while keeping the heat and pressure until the course of curing.

Cold Compression Molding is a manufacturing process that curing happens at an indoor temperature. In this method, the reinforced material is first laid on the mold, and then the resin glue liquid/curing agent is poured, and the product is formed after a certain pressure and time. The molding temperature of compression molding generally does not exceed 160, forming pressure 0.07~0.35MPa, so can use cheap materials for mold. However, the production efficiency and dimensional accuracy of cold compression molding are slightly lower than that of hot compression molding, which is suitable for the production of large products of medium quality.

Compression-molded silicone parts are valuable in a range of industries and applications. The manufacturing process is ideal for low- and medium-volume production runs. And this process is capable of creating highly precise parts, making it suitable for many complex rubber components, including large and intricate products. The defense, military, and medical industries frequently use this process to produce high-performance products such as O-rings, seals & gaskets.

Silicone Injection Molding is a molding process that adopts injection technology. The material is flowed into the hopper by a screw, then injected into the cavity mold after heating. The heated material cools and shapes in the mold.

Silicone Injection Molding is ideal for making complex parts and mass production. This molding offers many benefits for manufacturing. It is the best choice for creating complex parts and is also suitable for large-volume production. If you want consistency, accuracy, and versatility in your work, then injection molding is your best choice.

Benefits& Downsides of LSR Injection Molding:

High efficiency in producing unified components

Strong versatility and customization

Low production cost and lead time

Durable and stable products

Support complex-design molds

But High cost of mold

High spending for small-volume manufacturing

Silicone Compression Molding is a molding process that places the thermosetting material into a heated cavity mold applying pressure to make the two plates get closely touched and material shapes in the mold.

What is the difference between Silicone Injection Molding and Silicone Compression Molding? There are several tips:

I.Process.

 Silicone compression molding is relatively easy. This simplicity may be due to the small number of components involved. Such components include raw materials, heated molds, and stoppers; While the process of silicone Injection molding is more complex, requiring a hopper, injection molding unit, heater, hydraulic cylinder, and sometimes other components.

II. Capabilities

Silicone Injection Molding is usually ideal for small-batch production. Injection molding is best when your application does not rely on multiple prototypes of the same type. For example, one of the advantages of injection molding over compression molding is that silicone injection molding is more practical. This is a low-cost option that helps you determine the changes required for your product before total production is effectively running.

While Silicone compression molding is most suitable for mass production. It enables you to check the quality and other post-manufacturing things in shorter periods

III. Lead Time Length

Although silicone compression molding is best suited for high-volume production, the process has a much longer lead time compared to silicone injection molding. The process of silicone injection molding is shorter and more reliable for customers who need faster prototype testing. You don’t have to wait before evaluating the productivity of your product. The shorter lead time for injection molding compared to compression molding helps manufacturers to focus on other important operational aspects.