Volumes are modest
LSR tooling won't pay back.
Silicone manufacturing guide
When to switch from HCR to LSR.
Many silicone parts start life in HCR, compression or injection moulded. As volumes grow, LSR starts to look attractive. Here's how to tell whether the switch will pay off.
Two forms of silicone
HCR is a gum; LSR is a liquid. That changes the process more than the part.
HCR arrives as a solid gum, milled and catalysed before moulding. LSR arrives as two liquids mixed at the press. Both cure into silicone rubber with overlapping properties.
LSR suits fast, automated injection with very little flash. HCR suits compression and some injection work, with a wider range of firmer and specialist compounds. See HCR injection and LSR injection.
When LSR wins
Three good reasons.
Volume has grown
Faster cycles and less finishing reduce unit cost at high volume.
Finishing is costly
Flash removal is adding significant labour.
Consistency matters
Tighter repeatability on thin or fine features.
When HCR is still right
Four reasons not to switch.
The compound doesn't exist as LSR
Some firmer or specialist grades are HCR only.
The part is large
Big parts are often better in compression.
Requalification cost
Regulated parts need formal review of the material change.
The process
Moving a part across.
It's a material and process change, so it's treated like one.
Cost model
Both routes modelled against your forecast.
Grade match
An LSR grade chosen to match key properties.
Tool and trial
New tool, samples, testing in your product.
Parallel supply
HCR supply continues until LSR is approved.
Keep reading
More guides from the workshop.
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Read the guideDesigned and developed in the UK. UK moulding capability, with some higher-volume production placed with trusted partners where that's the right commercial answer.
At a glance
The idea in a picture.
Which route suits your quantity
Swipe to see the whole diagram
Get in touch
Tell us the part, the volume, and the timeline.
Rough annual volume, target unit price, and any deadlines. That's enough to work out whether compression, LSR injection or something else is the right tool.
Real people, a real workshop
You deal with the people who make it.
No call centre and no middlemen. When you contact TCI Products, you speak to the team who design, build and check your mould.
- A real Warwickshire workshopUnit 15, Waterloo Park, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester B50 4JG.
- Real people on the phoneCall the team on 01789 224228, Monday to Friday.
- The same team on every jobDesign, production and aftercare come from the people you see here.
- Part of TCI GroupFive specialist brands, one engineering team. Visit TCI Group.
Thomas LaneManaging Director
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