KEYFLEX SILICONE KEYPADS
Overview
Silicon Keypads offer highly reliable and versatile solutions to the many assembly and environmental problems that arise in electronics manufacturing. With their ease of assembly as one complete keypad, production costs can be greatly reduced in comparison with board mount switches, whilst maintaining tactile feel and switch travel. As many applications require sealing against the effects of dust and moisture, this can prove difficult when utilising conventional switches with overlays. Silicon keypads are ideally suited to this role with the ability to be compressed between the board and the moulding, creating a seal. For added protection the keypad can be designed to wrap around the edges of the circuit board, providing a sealed enclosure for all critical components inside. Being rubber based, the keypads display excellent stability across a wide temperature range, without the problems associated with adhesives often used with seals for board mount switches.
Rubber’s resistance to numerous chemicals is far superior to that of the polycarbonates etc. used for graphic overlays, making it suitable for use in harsh environments. Aesthetically, Silicon keypads can be designed to meet the expected high standards that society demands. The moulding process allows almost any key shape to be achieved, complemented by the use of any Pantone colour desired, both in the key structure and the printed detail. For applications requiring backlighting, Translucent silicon is used, ensuring an even spread of light throughoutthe keypad.
Should you prefer to have a Plastic keycap, these too can be provided in a range of colours and shapes, with the key information either being printed on the keycap or engraved into the plastic. For versatility, the keycaps can be supplied clear, allowing the user to fit any form of labelling underneath the clear cap, which of course can then be changed at any time. Actuation force and tactile feedback can be designed to meet a range of applications, wherethe “feel” of the key is of importance to the everday user.
Cost-effectiveness further underscores silicone rubber’s suitability, making it a preferred choice for keypads where environmental durability, reliability, and versatile functionality are paramount considerations.
Overview
Keyflex is a leading silicone keypad manufacturer and offers a diverse range of design and manufacturing processes tailored to meet the unique needs of various custom keypad applications.
Our expertise as a silicone keypad manufacturer extends to laser etched, multi-coloured, wear-resist coated, and plastic feel keypads/keycaps. Countless well-established global companies rely on Keyflex silicone keypads as the premier silicone keypad manufacturer, in their equipment, making it highly likely that you’ve encountered or used our keypads during your everyday tasks.
LIQUID SILICON RUBBER
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) is a two-component system, where long polysiloxane chains are reinforced with specially treated silica. Component A contains a platinum catalyst and Component B contains methylhydrogensiloxane as a cross-linker and an alcohol inhibitor. The primary differentiator between liquid silicone rubber (LSR) and high consistency rubber (HCR) is the “flowable” or “liquid” nature of LSR materials. While HCR can use either a peroxide or a platinum curing process, LSR uses only additive curing with platinum.
LIQUID SILICON RUBBER PROPERTIES
Depending on the application or its industrial use, LSR offers several advantages. First, it is highly biocompatible, which means it can be used for parts that come into contact with humans, for such applications as organ parts or prostheses. Second, it is very durable and therefore ensures long-term stability and chemical resistance. Third, it is also compatible with a wide spectrum of temperatures, from -60 °C to +250 °C, maintaining its high-performance mechanical properties at all times. Fourth, its electrical properties makes it ideal for insulation and precise conductivity protection. Finally, it is transparent and can be pigmented to harmonize with all color needs, including human skin tones.
LSR are also considered as the material of choice for industries such as Automotive or Medical devices for which small and complex elastomeric parts needs to be produced at high speed and optimum productivity. In such cases, Liquid Injection Moulding of LSRs becomes one of the most efficient process to fabricators.
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) Applications
Consumer Health and Food:
Contact skin applicator
Bakeware
Kitchenware
Baby bottle parts
Breast pump
Medical Devices and Parts:
Skin contact device
Flow control valve
Syringe stopper
Connectors and Caps
Medical tube
Infusion Pump
Pull tab
Gaskets and Seals
Electronic and Industrial Applications:
Double-colour and Multi-material housing
Roller
Smart watch wristband, Children’s smart bracelet
Gaskets and Rubber Seals
Automotive applications:
Plastic over mould part
Car grommets
O-ring
Return valve
Air conditioning flaps
Bellows Gasket
Liquid Silicone Capacity:
Liquid Silicone Mould
Liquid Silicone Injection Moulding
Over-moulding mould
Two-shot injection moulding
Multiple injection moulding
