Silicone Keypads

Keyflex Silicone Rubber Keypads

Keyflex designs and manufactures high-quality custom silicone keypads for a wide range of electronic and industrial applications.

Custom silicone keypads for a variety of industries and products.
Laser etched, multi-coloured, wear-resistant, and plastic-feel keypads available.
Manufactured to strict quality standards with over 30 years of industry experience.
Expert technical advice to help you choose the right keypad solution.
3D design and production drawing services available.
Complete solutions including plastic housings, graphic overlays, printed circuit boards, and membrane circuits.
Customisable key feel, travel, shape, durability, and appearance.
Cost-effective prototype options with low-cost tooling.
Trusted by leading companies for reliable human-machine interface solutions.
Fast quotations and expert support for custom projects.

Contact Keyflex today to discuss your requirements or request a quotation.

Lifecycle testing

Cycle testing of keypads is an essential process in ensuring their longevity and durability. This process involves subjecting the keypads to a series of tests to determine how well they can withstand repeated usage over time. The two main types of keypads that we test are membrane and silicone rubber keypads. These materials are known for their ability to withstand repeated usage, and our testing process is designed to assess the longevity of the keypad components.

The actuation test is one of the key tests we perform as part of our cycle testing process. This test simulates the movement of the keypad components, such as the metal snap dome and overlay, and helps us determine how well they can withstand repeated usage over time. By stress testing these components, we can assess the life cycle of the keypad and determine if any changes in performance or quality are noticed after a certain number of cycles.

Overall, our cycle testing process is crucial in ensuring that the keypads we manufacture are of the highest quality and will provide long-lasting performance for our customers. By regularly performing these tests, we can ensure that we are delivering keypads that are reliable and durable, even after repeated usage.

Positive Tactile Feel

Some designers are looking for a more positive tactile feel than traditional carbon pill keypads. Keyflex silicone keypads can achieve this by using a tact switch mounted on the PCB and the stem of the tact switch is seated behind the silicone key. One other method we use that doesn’t involve the extra costs associated with tact switches, their mounting costs or mechanical failure is the use of tactile snap metal dome switches on an adhesive layer which gives a broader design scope for key design as the force and feedback is not solely produced in the diaphragm of the keypad. The PCB cost is reduced and installation can be a simple peel-and-stick process (not necessarily required) Below is an example of this type of keypad

Laser Etched keypads

Laser etched keypads provide a durable, high-quality finish with excellent visibility, making them ideal for backlit electronic applications.

Precision laser etching creates sharp, clear, and easy-to-read characters.
Translucent silicone material allows illuminated legends for backlit keypads.
Silicone paint coating provides a durable and long-lasting finish.
Backlighting shines only through etched characters, reducing unwanted light leakage.
Consistent, repeatable manufacturing ensures uniform quality across every keypad.
Available in a wide range of colours and finishes, including metallic options.
Ideal for industrial, medical, automotive, and consumer electronic applications.
Custom designs available to suit your product requirements.

Multi-coloured keypads

Multi-coloured keypads can allow many different key colours within the one keypad. We work to standard colour matching systems such as Pantone and RAL. In addition, we can match client supplied colour swatches in many cases. By applying the colour to the key, rather than printing the colour on the top of the key, the cost of the keypad is reduced and the risk of ink wear is minimised

Plastic Keycaps

Plastic keycaps can be produced in coloured finishes or can be clear to allow the print on the keytops to be visible. The keycaps can also be sprayed and laser etched if desired.

Thermoformed Keypads

Thermoformed keypads are produced using polycarbonate or polyester, which is printed on the rear surface and then thermoformed to fit over the keypad or plastic insert. The ability to create small, closely pitched keys makes them ideal for small hand held appliances where a keypad’s size is critical.

Wear-resistant coated keypads

Wear-resistant coated keypads are achieved by applying a coating to the keypad after the post curing process. This means any printing or spraying are also protected by the coating. To avoid potential ink wear we recommend using a wear resistant coating in applications where the keypads will be subjected to high usage or will be used in a harsh environment.

Plastic feel keypads/plastic keycaps

Plastic feel keypads/plastic keycaps in some applications our clients have chosen the cost savings and the ease of assembly offered by silicone keypads, but have requested a plastic keycap feel. This can be achieved by using plastic keycaps, or by applying an epoxy coating to the keytop. In addition, thermoformed keypads can be produced where the key height is low and the key travel short.

Epoxy Coating Silicone Keypads

Epoxy coating can be left clear to display the printed ink on the keytop or can also be sprayed and laser etched. The epoxy coating can have either a gloss or a matt finish.

Durability

The durability of keys, keycaps and their coatings are measured using an RCA abrasive wear testing machine.

Testing is carried out in accordance with ASTM F2357 applying 170gms of down force to each key material and cycled through the machine. This does not give an indication of how many key presses each will withstand but shows comparative advantages of differing material.

The RCA number is the revolutions of the test machine before obvious wear levels become visible. These are minimum numbers and are purely for comparison purposes- for example we have performed tests on plated plastic keycaps and had results of RCA=2600.

Plated plastic keycap	RCA≥ 300
Plastic Keycap with printing and UV coating	RCA≥ 200
Keypad with printing and PU coating	RCA≥ 40
Matt PU	RCA≥ 40
SPU	RCA≥ 40
H343 and 3U	RCA≥ 15
Silicon Keypad with printing and no coating	RCA≥ 7
Plastic Keycap with printing and no UV coating	RCA≥ 2~3