Metal Dome Keypads
Stainless steel snap domes deliver the unmistakable click users feel through plastic keys, overlays and silicone. We design custom dome arrays on FPC or PCB with tuned forces, plating and long cycle life — the choice when "feel" is a feature.
A metal dome is a thin, curved stainless steel disc that flexes with a snap when pressed. Mounted on a printed circuit or flex, it closes the contact below — and because the snap is mechanical, the feedback never "tunes out" or changes with age.
Pressing the key center pushes the dome past its buckling point. The dome snaps downward, striking the contact pads on the board. Release, and the dome springs back with the same crisp snap — no springs, no wearing parts beyond the dome itself.
100–600 g, tuned per key or per zone for your target feel.
4–20 mm diameters with 0.2–0.5 mm travel matched to your keycaps.
Nickel or gold plating for contact reliability, or unplated for cost.
Full keypads, nav pads or single keys — any layout on your board.
Embossed or marked key areas that guide fingers to the dome center.
Dome arrays on PCB, FPC or membrane circuits with your tail and connector.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Dome material | Stainless steel (SUS301/304) |
| Dome size | 4–20 mm |
| Actuation force | 100–600 g (1.0–5.9 N) |
| Travel | 0.2–0.5 mm |
| Snap ratio | typically 40–70% |
| Contact resistance | ≤ 1 Ω (gold-plated, initial) |
| Cycle life | 1,000,000–10,000,000 |
| Operating temperature | −40 °C to +85 °C |
| Plating | Nickel, gold or unplated |
| Profile | Typically < 1 mm including film |
| Compliance | RoHS, REACH |
Payment terminals and POS keypads pressed thousands of times a day
TV and set-top remotes with satisfying, reliable clicks
Devices where operators need positive press confirmation
Steering-wheel and dash switches in high-vibration cabins
Controllers and keypads where tactile feel defines quality
Rugged terminals and test equipment for gloved hands
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