Q: Are you a trading company or a manufacturer ?

Fromrubber is a Chinese factory specializing in silicone rubber OEM/ODM services. .Our factory was established in 2010 and has a 15,000 square meter production base, 220 advanced production equipment, 220 employees, and 5 complete production lines. Our online store link is bohaodz 【https://bohaodz.en.alibaba.com/】 . Some customers may misunderstand that our website is written as fromrubber, but the store name is bohaodz. In fact, it belongs to the same company bohaodz. Fromrubber is our website domain name to ensure the consistency of the website. Our main export markets are Europe, America, and Southeast Asia. Our main custom projects focus on consumer goods, 3C electronics, aerospace, auto parts, and household silicone. Our factory is ISO9001/ISO14001/IATF16949 certified, and our products are ROHS/REACH/FDA certified. Our customization capabilities are extremely flexible, adapting to both mass production for corporate customers and rapid prototyping for small and medium-sized customers. Because we have a complete process chain, all processes can be done in-house. If you have custom requirements, please contact us for a free quote.

Question 1

What are metal dome silicone keypads and how do they differ from PCB contact keypads?

Accepted Answer

Metal Dome vs PCB Contact Keypads | Technical Comparison

Keypad Technology Overview

Selecting the appropriate keypad technology is a critical decision in electronic device design, impacting user experience, durability, and overall product performance. This comprehensive guide compares two predominant technologies: metal dome silicone keypads and PCB contact keypads, providing technical insights for informed decision-making.

Both technologies serve distinct market segments with specific advantages. Metal dome keypads excel in demanding environments requiring high reliability, while PCB contact keypads offer cost-effective solutions for standard applications.

Metal Dome Silicone Keypads

Metal dome keypad showing stainless steel domes beneath silicone layer

This technology combines stainless steel snap domes with silicone rubber encapsulation. The metal domes provide exceptional tactile feedback, while the silicone offers environmental protection and sealing. Construction typically includes a graphic overlay, silicone spacer with embedded domes, and contact points on a PCB.

When pressed, the stainless steel dome collapses, creating a reliable electrical connection with minimal contact resistance. This design ensures consistent performance across millions of actuations.

PCB Contact Keypads

PCB contact keypad with conductive traces visible beneath membrane

PCB contact keypads utilize direct contact between conductive elements and exposed PCB traces. These keypads typically consist of a flexible membrane or rubber overlay printed with conductive ink (carbon or silver) that makes contact with PCB pads when pressed.

This simplified construction reduces manufacturing costs and allows for greater design flexibility. However, contact resistance is generally higher, and environmental protection is limited unless additional sealing is implemented.

Technical Specifications Comparison

The table below provides a detailed side-by-side comparison of key technical parameters for both keypad technologies, highlighting their distinct characteristics and performance metrics.

Technical Parameter	Metal Dome Silicone Keypads	PCB Contact Keypads
Construction Method	Stainless steel domes embedded within silicone rubber matrix with graphic overlay	Membrane or rubber overlay with printed conductive pads contacting PCB traces
Tactile Feedback Quality	Excellent - sharp, crisp tactile click with consistent actuation force	Variable - ranges from mushy to moderate depending on materials and design
Activation Force Range	160-350 grams (maintains consistency throughout lifespan)	50-250 grams (may vary with wear and environmental conditions)
Operational Lifespan	5-10 million actuations per dome (high reliability)	1-5 million actuations (susceptible to contact wear and oxidation)
Environmental Protection	IP67 or higher (silicone provides natural sealing against moisture, dust)	IP40 typical (limited protection unless additional sealing implemented)
Contact Resistance	Very low (<100mΩ), remains stable over time and conditions	Higher (100-500Ω), increases with contact wear and oxidation
Cost Considerations	Higher initial investment but lower lifetime cost due to durability	Lower initial cost but potentially higher long-term replacement costs
Design Flexibility	Moderate - limited by standard dome sizes and placement requirements	High - easily customized to circuit layouts without mechanical constraints

Key Features & Advantages

Metal Dome Silicone Keypad Advantages

Superior Tactile Experience

Provides consistent, crisp tactile feedback with audible click confirmation for each keypress. This enhances user satisfaction and reduces input errors in critical applications.

Enhanced Durability

Stainless steel domes withstand 5-10 million actuations without significant performance degradation, making them ideal for high-frequency applications.

Environmental Resistance

Silicone rubber naturally resists moisture, dust, chemicals, and UV exposure, allowing for high IP ratings without additional components.

PCB Contact Keypad Advantages

Cost-Effective Solution

Lower manufacturing costs due to simpler construction with fewer components, ideal for cost-sensitive consumer electronics.

Design Flexibility

PCB layouts can be easily modified to accommodate different keypad configurations without retooling mechanical components.

Slim Profile Design

Can be manufactured with minimal thickness requirements, making them suitable for ultra-slim device designs where space is limited.

Industry Applications

Each keypad technology serves specific industry needs based on performance characteristics, environmental requirements, and durability expectations.

Metal Dome Keypad Applications

M

Medical Equipment

Sterilization-resistant interfaces for diagnostic machines, surgical devices, and patient monitoring systems requiring high reliability.

I

Industrial Controls

Heavy-duty control panels for manufacturing equipment, process control systems, and factory automation.

A

Automotive Systems

Dashboard controls, infotainment interfaces, climate controls, and vehicle management systems.

PCB Contact Keypad Applications

C

Consumer Electronics

Remote controls, calculators, home appliances, and personal electronic devices with moderate usage.

O

Office Equipment

Printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, and other business equipment used in controlled environments.

E

Educational Devices

Learning tools, interactive displays, classroom technology, and training equipment.

Shared Applications

S

Security Systems

Access control panels, alarm systems, surveillance controls, and security interfaces.

H

Home Automation

Smart home controllers, lighting systems, climate controls, and residential automation interfaces.

P

POS Systems

Point-of-sale terminals, payment processors, retail interfaces, and transaction systems.

Technical Specifications

Detailed performance specifications for both keypad technologies based on industry-standard testing conditions:

5-10M

Actuations (Metal Dome)

1-5M

Actuations (PCB Contact)

<100mΩ

Contact Resistance (Metal Dome)

100-500Ω

Contact Resistance (PCB)

-40°C to 85°C

Operating Temperature (Metal Dome)

0°C to 70°C

Operating Temperature (PCB)

IP67+

Sealing Rating (Metal Dome)

IP40

Sealing Rating (PCB Contact)

Selection Guidelines

Choosing the appropriate keypad technology requires careful consideration of application requirements, environmental conditions, and performance expectations.

Choose Metal Dome When:

Superior tactile feedback and user experience are critical requirements
Device will operate in harsh environments with exposure to moisture, dust, or chemicals
Long product life with minimal maintenance is required (5+ million actuations)
Consistent actuation force over millions of cycles is necessary for reliable operation
Application involves medical, industrial, or automotive equipment where reliability is paramount
Environmental sealing (IP67 or higher) is needed without additional components

Choose PCB Contact When:

Minimizing cost is the primary concern for the project
Device will be used in controlled indoor environments without harsh conditions
Design flexibility and rapid prototyping are important considerations
Ultra-low profile or slim device design is required
Application involves consumer electronics with moderate usage expectations
Quick design iteration cycle with minimal tooling costs is necessary

Hybrid Solutions: For some applications, hybrid solutions combining elements of both technologies may be optimal. For example, using metal domes for critical frequently-used keys and PCB contacts for secondary functions can balance cost and performance requirements effectively.

Need Professional Guidance?

Our engineering team specializes in keypad technology selection and can help you choose the optimal solution for your specific application requirements, environmental conditions, and budget constraints.

Contact us for a free technical consultation, sample evaluation, or custom design proposal tailored to your project needs.

Contact Our Experts Today

Question 2

What are the main differences between silicone keypads and ABS/POM plastic keypads?

Accepted Answer

Silicone vs ABS/POM Keypads - Technical Comparison | FromRubber

Silicone Rubber Keypads

Soft-touch, Sealed & Durable

Silicone rubber keypad close-up showing texture and flexibility

Soft, elastic tactile response
Unibody construction with integrated seals
Excellent environmental resistance (IP67/IP68)
Extreme temperature range (-55°C to 200°C+)
Molded-in legends for maximum durability
Reduced assembly complexity

ABS/POM Plastic Keypads

Mechanical, Crisp & Modular

ABS plastic mechanical keyboard with individual keycaps

Hard, crisp mechanical tactile feel
Discrete keycap design
No inherent sealing (requires gaskets)
Limited temperature range
Switch-dependent durability
Modular and customizable

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature	Silicone Keypads	ABS/POM Keypads
Material & Tactility	Soft, elastic material providing a damped, quiet tactile snap from a collapsible dome structure.	Hard, rigid plastic delivering a crisp, mechanical feel dictated entirely by an underlying switch mechanism.
Design & Integration	Unibody construction allowing multiple keys, seals, and membranes in a single molded part. Simplifies assembly and reduces part count.	Discrete keycaps requiring individual mounting on switches and supporting structures. More complex assembly with higher part count.
Environmental Sealing (IP Rating)	Inherent, excellent sealing against dust and moisture. Easily achieves IP67/IP68 ratings with proper design.	No inherent sealing. Requires additional gaskets, o-rings, or membranes to achieve any IP rating, adding complexity and cost.
Durability & Wear Resistance	High cycle life (1-5 million+ actuations). Molded-in legends are virtually indestructible. Resists fatigue well.	Durability depends on the switch (typically 20-100 million cycles). Legends can wear unless double-shot molded. Surface may gloss over time.
Temperature & Chemical Resistance	Exceptional range (-55°C to 200°C+). Excellent weather and UV resistance. Good chemical resistance to water, alcohols, diluted acids/bases.	Limited range (approx. -20°C to 80°C/110°C). ABS yellows with UV exposure. POM has better chemical resistance but both are unsuitable for harsh environments.
Cost & Manufacturing	Higher tooling cost but lower per-unit assembled cost due to integrated design reducing labor and components.	Moderate tooling cost but higher total assembled cost due to multiple components (keycaps, switches, PCB) and extensive assembly labor.

Ideal Applications

Silicone Keypad Applications

Medical Devices & Equipment
Industrial Control Panels
Outdoor & Marine Electronics
Automotive Interior Controls
Kitchen & Home Appliances
Remote Controls & Handheld Devices
Laboratory & Testing Equipment
Any application requiring IP sealing

ABS/POM Keypad Applications

Gaming Keyboards & Peripherals
Computer Keyboards (Office/Home)
Data Entry Terminals
Point-of-Sale Systems
Test & Measurement Equipment (benign environments)
Audio/Video Studio Controllers
Hobbyist & Custom Mechanical Keyboards
Applications where modularity is prioritized

Material Selection Guide

Choose Silicone When:

Your design requires environmental sealing (dust/water), must withstand extreme temperatures or harsh conditions, benefits from unibody design that reduces assembly complexity, or needs a soft-touch, quiet interface.

Choose ABS/POM When:

The primary requirement is a specific, crisp mechanical tactile feedback, the design requires hot-swappable or modular key components, or the application is in a controlled indoor environment where sealing is not a concern.

Need Expert Guidance on Your Keypad Design?

As specialists in silicone rubber manufacturing, FromRubber provides comprehensive design support and prototyping services to ensure your keypad solution meets all technical requirements and user experience goals.

Question 3

Are you a trading company or a manufacturer ?

Accepted Answer

Fromrubber is a Chinese factory specializing in silicone rubber OEM/ODM services. .Our factory was established in 2010 and has a 15,000 square meter production base, 220 advanced production equipment, 220 employees, and 5 complete production lines.

Our online store link is bohaodz【https://bohaodz.en.alibaba.com/】.

Some customers may misunderstand that our website is written as fromrubber, but the store name is bohaodz. In fact, it belongs to the same company bohaodz. Fromrubber is our website domain name to ensure the consistency of the website.

Our main export markets are Europe, America, and Southeast Asia. Our main custom projects focus on consumer goods, 3C electronics, aerospace, auto parts, and household silicone. Our factory is ISO9001/ISO14001/IATF16949 certified, and our products are ROHS/REACH/FDA certified.

Our customization capabilities are extremely flexible, adapting to both mass production for corporate customers and rapid prototyping for small and medium-sized customers. Because we have a complete process chain, all processes can be done in-house.

If you have custom requirements, please contact us for a free quote.