Can someone with knowledge let me know if this stuff might have a chance of working as a compliant surface?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190068623874

Preferably the 1mm thick, clear, non-slip surface type.

I tried a soft rubber keyboard membrane earlier, but it didn’t work at all, and as far as I can tell, its silicone, so why didn’t that work?

It has to be soft enough basically, and not “sticky”. 

I spent 6months looking for a compliant surface, in the end i made my own and it works but doesnt have a professional finish.  I would suggest looking into diffused illumination, then you dont have to worry about this stuff.