Compression molding is an advanced and well established method of rubber parts manufacturing that utilizes heat and pressure to bond the rubber compound that is being shaped, leaving minimal parting lines (seams). Compression molding is the most suitable manufacturing solution for certain shapes and sizes of rubber component parts.

Compression molding is a manufacturing process that is not particularly complicated. A pre-compounded elastomeric material is placed into a steel mold. The mold is then closed and heated, melting the rubber compound and forcing it into the mold cavities, forming the desired shape. The finished rubber part will be of varying hardness ("durometer') ranging from rigid (high durometer) to quite soft and flexible (low durometer). Once the part is removed from the mold, the "flash" can be removed, which means that any excess rubber material can be trimmed off or "deflashed". Compression molding may also be used to manufacture parts that are not elastomeric, and there are many different types of compression molding processes which can be used to achieve different outcomes.

Compression molding has many advantages. There is little material wasted in the manufacturing process, and labor and other production costs may be less than other types of manufacturing processes. Compression molds are relatively inexpensive, and may be the best option when dealing with larger or more complicated parts, parts with thick sections, or parts that require a high degree of dimensional accuracy and stability.

When determining the production method, the product engineer should take into consideration that compression molding may not be suitable for delicate joints or more fragile shapes. When the finished part is very small, the deflashing process may require special techniques such as cryogenic deflashing.

Compression molding is an advanced manufacturing process that is highly suited to the mass production of practically any molded rubber shape from the most simple to the highly intricate, and from very small "micro" parts to parts which are relatively large. Rubber compression molding is a manufacturing technique which has proven to be the most cost effective manufacturing solution for many types of molded rubber parts used in countless applications in a wide range of industries.