Processing by autoclave is far more costly than oven heating and is therefore generally used only when isostatic pressure must be applied to a workload of comparatively complex shape. For smaller flat parts, heated presses offer much shorter cycle times. In other applications, the pressure is not required by the process but is integral with the use of steam, since steam temperature is directly related to steam pressure. Rubber vulcanizing exemplifies this category of autoclaving.

For exceptional requirements, such as the curing of ablative composite rocket engine nozzles and missile nosecones, a hydroclave can be used, but this entails extremely high equipment costs and elevated risks in operation. The hydroclave is pressurized with water;^[3] the pressure keeps the water in liquid phase despite the high temperature.