Silicone buttons are elastic input components fabricated by compressing silicone rubber materials. Their core structure consists of a mesh-like silicone layer encapsulating conductive materials (carbon beads or conductive elastomers). Upon actuation, the deformation of the mesh enables the upper and lower contacts to establish electrical conductivity, forming a circuit that provides both tactile feedback and electrical signal triggering functionality. As the primary interaction interface between electronic devices and users, the performance and quality of these buttons significantly influence user experience. Among various button materials, silicone rubber buttons have emerged as the preferred choice in consumer electronics, automotive applications, and medical equipment due to their distinctive physical properties and manufacturing advantages.
Six Core Advantages
Ultra-long Service Life: A single button can endure up to 1 million presses (tested in compliance with ASTM standards).
Extreme Environmental Adaptability: Operating temperature range spans from -40°C to 150°C, with IP68-level waterproof performance.
Precise Touch Control Experience: Driving force is adjustable within the range of 80–150 grams, and stroke is precisely controlled between 0.8–1.5 millimeters.
Medical-grade Safety Assurance: Materials are certified by the FDA, and ethylene oxide sterilization treatment is supported.
Highly Customizable Production Capability: Precise matching with Pantone color card for 16 colors is provided, and size tolerance is maintained within ±0.1 millimeters.
Significant Cost Advantage: Mold development costs are 40% lower than those of metal buttons, and production material costs for mass manufacturing are reduced by 60%.
Comparison of Material Properties
Features | silicone buttons | Plastic buttons | metal buttons |
Service Life | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Environmental adaptability | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Comfort of touch | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
Custom flexibility | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
cost-benefit ratio | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
Silicone Rubber Buttons Applications
Consumer electronic remote controllers: They account for over 60% of the market for conductive rubber buttons, such as volume control and switch control for TV and air conditioner remote controls.
Smartphones/ Tablets: Power buttons, volume buttons, etc., have sensitive tactile feedback and a lifespan exceeding 1 million times.
Automotive electronics: Vehicle central control buttons (for audio and navigation), door lock control, etc., must meet requirements for resistance to oil stains and high temperatures (-40℃ to 125℃).
Industrial and Medical: Industrial equipment control panels (such as treadmills, POS machines) adopt matrix-type rubber buttons and support IP68 protection.
The entire production process of silicone buttons: Precision determines quality
1. Raw material preparation
The raw rubber is mixed with reinforcing agent (silica), vulcanizing agent (dibutyltin dilaurate) and other components in a plasticizing machine to ensure the dispersion uniformity > 99%.
2. Compression molding
Temperature: The first stage of vulcanization is carried out at 160℃ for 120 seconds, and the second stage at 200℃ for 4 hours.
Pressure: 15 - 20 MPa, ensuring that the rubber compound is fully filled into the mold cavity.
3. Post-processing techniques
Surface treatment: Plasma spraying (to enhance the adhesion of ink);
Character printing: Use pad printing (with precision ±0.05mm) or UV laser engraving;
Functional Testing:
Conduction resistance test (carbon pellet contacts ≤ 10 Ω);
Salt spray test (5% NaCl solution, 48 hours without corrosion).
As a supplier, we not only offer standard parts production but also strive to provide customers with the optimal solution of "performance-cost-delivery time" through customization.
Our manufacturing process:
Adopts oil pressure molding, laser etching and screen printing technology, supporting LED backlighting and multi-color offset printing.
3D printing technology (such as Silicone 40A material) enables small-batch production of complex structures.