Brief introduction of keycap materials
For mechanical keyboards, the material of keycap is very important for the overall typing experience, which will affect the feel, durability and beauty. There are several commonly used materials in the market, each of which has its own unique characteristics.So what is the best keycap material?
Commonly used keycap materials
Plastic keycap
ABS keycap
-Advantages: low price and wide availability, suitable for budget-conscious users. They have a smooth surface and can provide a soft and delicate feel. The manufacturing process allows the use of multiple colors and the creation of translucent or transparent keycaps, which is very suitable for backlit keyboards.
-Disadvantages: With the passage of time, it is easy to wear and form a shiny oily surface, especially when it is used frequently, which will affect the touch and appearance. Compared with some other materials, they have poor durability and wear more quickly.
PBT keycap
-Advantages: It is famous for its high durability and wear resistance, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts. They have a textured matte surface, which can provide better friction and unique touch. PBT keycap also has stronger heat resistance and chemical resistance, which can ensure long-term stability.
-Disadvantages: Usually more expensive than ABS keycaps. They may offer fewer color options, although this situation is gradually changing as the demand for PBT keycaps increases. The textured surface may not be as smooth as ABS.
Metal keycap
-Advantages: it provides a luxurious and solid feeling, adding a unique aesthetic feeling to the keyboard. They are very durable and can withstand a lot of use without showing signs of wear. Metal keycaps also provide a unique typing sound, which some users find attractive.
-Disadvantages: It is much heavier than the plastic keycap, which will make the keyboard feel heavier and may cause fatigue when typing for a long time. They are also much more expensive, which makes them an impractical choice for budget users. In addition, when the metal keycap is polished, scratches and fingerprints may appear more easily.
Can the above kinds determine the best keycap material?
There are also some special materials used as keycaps.
Wooden keycap
-Advantages: It brings a natural and warm appearance to the keyboard, and each keycap has a unique texture pattern and color. They provide a soft and comfortable touch, which enhances the typing experience for people who like a more organic feeling.
-Disadvantages: sensitive to moisture and temperature changes, which will lead to warping, cracking or expansion over time. Wooden keycaps are not as durable as plastic or metal options and may be more prone to signs of wear. They are more difficult to manufacture and customize, and therefore more expensive.
Resin keycap
-Advantages: It can be made into highly detailed and artistic design with smooth and shiny surface. Resin keycaps have unique visual appeal and are usually used for customized or limited edition keyboards.
-Disadvantages: It is relatively brittle compared with other materials, and may break if dropped or improperly handled. They are more expensive than plastic keycaps, and it takes a lot of time to make the whole set. Generally, they are purchased by the number.
Ceramic keycap
Advantages
-Excellent durability: Ceramics have strong wear resistance, which can keep its original appearance and function even after long-term use, which is different from plastic keycaps.
-Smooth and comfortable feeling: They provide a smooth, almost silky texture, which feels different from plastic keycaps. The natural coolness of this material adds a touch of exquisiteness to the typing process.
-Aesthetic attraction: the ceramic keycap has a smooth surface and exudes subtle elegance, making the keyboard a personalized item. They can come in a variety of colors and designs, and some even have custom carvings or textures.
-Good light transmittance: RGB light can pass through the ceramic keycap, which gives a more diffuse lighting effect due to its opaque nature, which is very useful for backlit keyboards.
-pleasant sound: compared with plastic keycaps, pressing ceramic keycaps will produce a more satisfying and quieter sound. Denser materials absorb more impact, thus producing deeper sound.
So is the best keycap material ceramic?
Next is the disadvantage of ceramic keycaps. After reading it, you will know why ceramic keycaps are not the best material for keycaps.
-High price: Ceramic keycaps are usually more expensive than plastic keycaps, because the material cost is higher and the manufacturing process is more complicated.
-Heavy weight: They are much heavier than plastic keycaps, which will make the keyboard feel heavier and may cause fatigue when typing for a long time. Weight may also bring extra pressure to the switch and stabilizer of the keyboard, especially for larger keys such as the space bar.
-Smooth surface: A smooth surface may be a little too slippery for some users, especially during intense games, because fingers may slip off the keys more easily.
-Faded painted keys: In some cases, letters or designs on ceramic keycaps are painted and may fade over time due to frequent use.
Finally, what is the best keycap material?
Perhaps the best keycap material for most people is undoubtedly pbt.It provides a good balance between durability, feel and price. Although metal keycaps are luxurious, wooden or resin keycaps are unique, and ceramic keycaps have beautiful appearance, but they are either expensive or have obvious shortcomings. PBT keycaps provide a lasting typing experience and are economical, making them the first choice for most keyboard lovers.
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