Multi-material · silicone + polyurethane
Silicone and polyurethane on the same job, planned as one.
PU parts cast from silicone tools. Soft silicone faces on rigid PU bodies. PU prototypes that stand in for a silicone production part. Each pairing needs the two materials planned together.
The detail
Silicone and polyurethane, at group level.
Silicone and polyurethane are the two materials we pair most often. They're complementary — silicone is flexible, releases cleanly and survives heat; PU is quick, cheap and comes in everything from rigid to rubbery. But they interact, and the interaction decides whether the job works.
We plan both sides as one piece of engineering: the tool material, the cast material, release, cure timing and how the two will meet.
Back to Projects that need more than one material, coordinated as…
What's involved
Six parts of the work.
PU cast in silicone tooling
The classic pairing. We choose a silicone that releases your PU cleanly for the number of casts you need.
Soft-on-rigid parts
A silicone grip, seal or face on a PU body, with the bond method chosen for the pair.
PU as a prototype stand-in
PU cast to mimic a silicone production part's feel, for fit and user testing.
Moisture and inhibition
PU is moisture-sensitive and some systems affect silicone cure. We control both.
Tool life planning
PU is harder on silicone tools than wax or plaster. We size tool numbers to the run.
One team, two divisions
Often TCI Mouldings for tooling and TCI Products for parts, coordinated at group level.
How it runs
Four steps, in order.
- 01
Pair review
Both materials specified together, with interaction risks listed.
- 02
Witness pieces
Small test casts of the pairing where it's unusual.
- 03
Tool build
Silicone tooling specified for the PU system and run length.
- 04
Run and record
Parts cast, checked and released with both materials on the spec.
Is it right for you?
An honest fit check.
A good fit when
- You need PU parts in tens to hundreds
- You want a soft touch surface on a rigid body
- You're prototyping a silicone part and need something quicker
- Your previous silicone tools wore out quickly under PU
Probably not the answer when
- The part is food-contact — PU isn't the right answer there
- You need tens of thousands of rigid parts — thermoplastic injection is likely better
- Outdoor UV exposure without a finish — we'll discuss alternatives
FAQs
Common questions.
Will silicone stick to PU?
It depends on grades and preparation. We test the pairing and pick a bond method, or design for mechanical capture.
How many PU parts from one silicone tool?
It varies with the PU system and part shape. We'll give you a realistic range at quote stage.
Can you colour-match PU?
Yes, to a sample or reference. We'll make a colour chip for approval first.
Related
The rest of this service.
Silicone moulded onto metal, bonded or captured.
Threaded bushes, mounting plates, brackets and pins, with silicone or rubber moulded around them. The bond, the insert…
Silicone around electronics, without cooking the board.
Potting, encapsulation and moulded silicone covers for electronics assemblies you supply. Keypads, sensor housings,…
Projects that need more than one material, coordinated as one job.
Some parts want silicone in one place and polyurethane in another. Or a rubber gasket on a silicone body. Or a hard…
The group
Delivered across the group
This work is coordinated by TCI Group and carried out by whichever of the four divisions suits your part.
Get in touch
Not sure which division? Tell us what you're making.
Send us a sketch, a photograph, or a paragraph. We'll come back with the right division, the right route, and an honest sense of what it will take.
Real people, a real workshop
You deal with the people who make it.
No call centre and no middlemen. When you contact TCI Group, 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.
- Five brands, one teamMoulds, culinary, construction and contract products, all run from Bidford-on-Avon. See the divisions.
Thomas LaneManaging Director
George PrestonDesign & Project Manager
Kelly BallingerHead of Partnerships
Jim AndertonProduction Manager
TheodoreEmployee Welfare