Made of high-grade rubber and silicone materials, our silicone keypads are designed to withstand the normal wear and tear of everyday use, providing the perfect balance between functionality and cost-effectiveness.
IMP offers several enhanced silicone keypad options that add a new dimension to both their aesthetics and functionality:
- Epoxy encapsulation – for improved protection and durability.
- Multi-hardness materials – to achieve varied tactile responses.
- Hard key feeling – for a more distinct touch.
- Plastic injected hard-caps – to enhance mechanical strength.
- Laser-etched graphics – for precise and durable markings.
- Choice of finishes – including high-gloss.
Benefits of using silicone rubber keypads
Waterproof & dustproof
Silicone rubber keypads are naturally waterproof and dustproof. With a properly designed enclosure, the ultra-durable membrane of a silicone rubber keypad will prevent the intrusion of moisture, dust, and micro-particles into the enclosure, protecting the respective device from damage. This makes them a popular choice in busy commercial settings such as factories where moisture and dust run rampant.
Comfort
Comfort is a key selling point when choosing keypads. If a keypad is excessively hard, rough, or isn’t designed in an ergonomic manner, it’s not going to serve its intended role. Thankfully, silicone-rubber keypads offer an exceptional level of comfort, featuring soft and smooth keys that are enjoyable to press. Most people agree that silicone rubber keypads are significantly more comfortable to press and use than plastic.
Cost-effective
This alone should be reason enough to choose silicone rubber keypads over other types. While there’s some initial investment required in all types of keypads, silicone rubber keypads are generally less expensive than others. This means you can integrate them into large-scale applications without breaking the bank.
Tactile characteristics of keys
| Name of Shape | Profile of Shape | Force vs. Travel | Typical Actuation Force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cone |
 |
 |
20-250 grams |
| Double Cone |
 |
 |
20-250 grams |
| Bell/Cone |
 |
 |
20-200 grams |
| Cone |
 |
 |
20-150 grams |
| Double Cone |
 |
 |
20-150 grams |
| Flat |
 |
 |
20-100 grams |
Travel (mm)
| 0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| < Good life, but progressively less tactile feel | Good life, but progressively less tactile feel > | |||||||||||||
General Specifications
| Travel | Force | Tactile Response | Life Cycles | Operating Temperature | Storage Temperature | Dielectric Strength | ESD Breakdown | Contact Bounce | Contact Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 - 1.5mm | 60 - 300 grams | Yes | 1,000,000 | -40° to + 150° C | -50° to + 170° C | >1 min @ 500 VRMS | >20 KV / MM | <5 MS | <200 Ohms |
Physical Properties
| Typical Physical Property | Carbon Conductor | Silicone Insulator |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity @ 72° C | 1.18 | 1.17 |
| Durometer Hardness (Shore A) | 65 ± 5 | 30-80 ± 5 |
| Tensile Strength (KG/CM) | >50 | >70 |
| Elongation (%) | >100 | >250 |
| Tear Strength (KG/CM) | >9 | >12 |
| Linear Shrinkage (%) | 3 - 5 | 3 - 4.5 |
| Volume Resistivity (Ohm/CM) | <5 | 1 x 1015 |
Dimensional Tolerances
| Dimension | Tolerances | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - .987 | 0 - 25 | .005 | .13 | ||
| .998 - 1.460 | 25.1 - 37 | .008 | .13 | ||
| 1.461 - 1.971 | 37.1 - 50 | .010 | .13 | ||
| 1.972 - 2.444 | 50.1 - 62 | .012 | .13 | ||
| 2.445 - 2.956 | 62.1 - 75 | .015 | .13 | ||
| 2.957 - 3.428 | 75.1 - 87 | .017 | .13 | ||
| 3.429 - 3.940 | 87.1 - 100 | .020 | .13 | ||
| 3.941- 5.908 | 100.1 - 150 | .024 | .13 | ||
| 5.909 - OVER | 150.1 - OVER | 0.5% | 0.5% | ||