Compression moulding

Process:   A measured amount of material is added to a two part mould and subjected to heat and pressure

Introduced:   Before 1900

Plastics:   Usually thermosets, especially melamine formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde with filler

Marks:   Mould lines but these can be polished off by hand

Tooling cost:   Medium

Production volume:   Relatively slow and labour intensive

Uses:   Radio and telephone housings; plugs and sockets; tableware; ashtrays; bowls and boxes