Short Answer:
PBT keycaps are a type of keyboard keycaps that are made from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). These keycaps are known for their durability, texture, and overall feel, making them a popular choice among keyboard enthusiasts, developers and gamers.
Long Answer: This Article ⇓
PBT keycaps, made from Polybutylene Terephthalate, are renowned for their durability and quality. Unlike their ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) counterparts, PBT keycaps are more resistant to wear and tear, making them a preferred choice for heavy typists, developers and gamers.
Contents
Durability and Texture
PBT keycaps are thicker and sturdier than ABS keycaps, often featuring a gritty, sand-like texture. This texture provides a premium, weighty feel while typing. Additionally, PBT plastic is chemically resistant to solvents and oils, preventing the keycaps from developing a greasy shine from skin oils.
Resistance to Discoloration
One of the significant advantages of PBT keycaps is their resistance to UV radiation. Unlike ABS keycaps, which can yellow over time, PBT keycaps maintain their original color even after prolonged use.
Sound Quality
When it comes to typing sound, PBT keycaps generally produce a deeper, more solid sound compared to ABS keycaps. This is due to their thicker construction and material properties.
Cost and Availability
While PBT keycaps offer numerous advantages, they are more expensive to produce than ABS keycaps. This is due to the material’s superior resistance to heat and chemicals, making the manufacturing process more complex. However, the investment in PBT keycaps can be worthwhile for those seeking a long-lasting, quality typing experience.
Aesthetic and Customization
PBT keycaps are available in various colors and designs, allowing for personalization and aesthetic appeal.
How are PBT keycaps made?
The Material
PBT keycaps are crafted from polybutylene terephthalate, a type of plastic known for its strength and durability. This material is chosen for its ability to withstand constant use without showing signs of wear.
Manufacturing Process
The primary method used in making PBT keycaps is injection molding. In this process, PBT plastic is melted and injected into molds to form the keycaps. This method ensures precision and consistency in the shape and size of each keycap.
Texturing and Quality
During the molding process, PBT keycaps are given their distinctive texture. This texture is not just for aesthetics; it provides a tactile feel that enhances the typing experience. The quality of PBT keycaps is evident in their resistance to shine and fading, maintaining their appearance even after extensive use.
Marking the Keycaps
For the legends (letters and symbols) on the keycaps, methods like double-shot molding and dye-sublimation are used. Double-shot molding involves injecting two colors of plastic together, ensuring that the legends never wear off. Dye-sublimation, on the other hand, involves printing the legends onto the keycaps in a way that they penetrate the surface, offering long-lasting visibility.
Final Touches
After molding and marking, the keycaps undergo a finishing process. This includes quality checks to ensure each keycap meets the high standards expected from PBT materials. The result is a set of keycaps that offer superior durability, feel, and aesthetic appeal.
Popular PBT keycap examples
There are many famous brands of keycaps such as GMK, NovelKeys and Drop among others, please check this videos to see how they look like
Frequently Asked Questions about PBT Keycaps
What are PBT keycaps?
PBT keycaps are a type of keyboard keycaps that are made from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). These keycaps are known for their durability, texture, and overall feel, making them a popular choice among keyboard enthusiasts and gamers.
How are PBT keycaps different from ABS keycaps?
PBT keycaps are often compared to ABS keycaps due to their differences in materials. Unlike ABS, which is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, PBT keycaps tend to be more durable and have a textured feel that many find pleasant and more durable over time.
What makes PBT keycaps a popular choice?
PBT keycaps are a popular choice due to their texture, durability, and overall quality. These keycaps are often preferred by those looking for a pleasant typing and gaming experience, especially paired with certain switch types.
Are PBT keycaps better for use with backlighting or RGB setups?
PBT keycaps are known to be a good option for backlight and RGB setups, offering a smooth and often quality feel with backlight showing through the legends. This makes them an attractive choice for users who want a unique look for their keyboard.
What do double-shot PBT keycaps refer to?
Double-shot refers to a manufacturing process where two separate plastic injection moldings are made to create a keycap with two different colors, designs, or legends. PBT keycaps can also be made using this process, resulting in more durable and vibrant
As a former SAP Software Engineer and ex professional esports competitor in Warcraft 3, Dota, and CSGO, my passion for gaming and coding runs deep. My websites are a treasure trove where I share this rich expertise, along with my fascination for AI art and mechanical keyboards. Currently, I own three distinct keyboards, and my collection of keycaps is so vast, I've lost count – each one a testament to my commitment to quality and performance.
