ABS Vs PBT Keycap: Which is Better？

What are ABS keycaps?

Full name of ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

ABS is a terpolymer of acrylonitrile (A), butadiene (B) and styrene (S). The material has the advantages of low cost, high strength, good toughness, and ease of processing. It is precisely because of these characteristics that ABS material has been extremely widely used.

Due to the mature manufacturing process, keycaps made of ABS material generally have the advantages of regular appearance, exquisite details, and uniform texture. ABS keycaps are not only well-crafted but also offer a delicate and comfortable touch, enhancing the typing experience.

ABS keycaps are superb in terms of design and feel, but they have one very noticeable drawback: after prolonged use, the surface will shine because of the material's low hardness.

It is a widely used material in peripherals. In addition to keyboards, mice, chassis, and monitor shells, ABS plastics are also used.

Pros:

• Low cost
• Easy to manufacture
• Soft touch
• Can be made into translucent keycaps

Cons:

Easy to get greasy, affecting the feel and visual beauty

 Akko ABS Keycaps

What are PBT keycaps?

Full name of PBT: Polybutylene Terephthalate

PBT is a popular plastic known for its excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. It is strong and stiff, yet has very good dimensional stability. It is referred to as "white rock".

While it costs more and requires more sophisticated processing than ABS, the material's strength is generally better, and during injection molding, the rate of shrinkage is less. Its processing technology is fairly advanced; in order to accomplish the goal of never losing characters, double shot molding can even be used. The PBT keycaps have a distinctive matte feel and feel strong and dry.

PBT material's superior wear resistance over ABS material is by far its greatest benefit. Compared to ABS material, PBT material requires substantially less lubrication during regular use of mechanical keyboard keycaps.

Pros:

• Durable, not easy to get oily
• Suitable for DIY

Cons:

• High cost
• The quality of the material greatly affects the feel

Key Differences Between ABS and PBT Keycaps 

Feature	ABS Keycaps	PBT Keycaps
Cost	Generally cheaper		Generally more expensive
Feel	Smooth and glossy		Textured and matte
Durability	Prone to shine and wear over time		More resistant to wear and shine
Appearance	Vibrant colors, can fade		Less vibrant, more consistent colors
Sound	Higher-pitched, sharper sound		Deeper, more muted sound
Manufacturing	Easier, cost-effective		Requires advanced processing
Maintenance	Can become sticky		Requires less maintenance

1. Cost

ABS: Generally more affordable.

PBT: Generally more expensive.

ABS keycaps are generally more affordable due to lower material and manufacturing costs, making them a popular choice for budget keyboards. PBT keycaps, while more expensive, offer superior durability, texture, and resistance to wear, making them a preferred option for enthusiasts and those willing to invest in higher-quality keycaps.

2. Texture and Feel

ABS: Smooth and glossy, can become shiny and sticky over time.

PBT: Textured and matte, maintains its feel over time.

ABS keycaps are not as sturdy as PBT keycaps. After extended usage, ABS keycaps could get glossy and sticky, while PBT keycaps won't. Thus, PBT keycaps can be a preferable option if you want your keyboard to be more durable.

3. Durability

ABS: Prone to shine and wear down with heavy use.

PBT: More resistant to wear, maintains appearance longer.

ABS keycaps are generally more affordable, they are less durable and prone to showing wear, such as surface shine and legend fading. PBT keycaps, though more expensive, offer superior durability and wear resistance, maintaining their appearance and texture even with heavy use. For those prioritizing longevity and a consistent typing experience, PBT keycaps are the better choice.

Akko PBT Keycaps

4. Appearance

ABS: Can be dyed in vibrant colors, but colors may fade.

PBT: Less vibrant but more consistent and fade-resistant colors.

PBT keycaps have a more subdued color and are not light-transmissive, making them appropriate for conventional red axis or tea axis mechanical keyboards; ABS keycaps offer brighter colors and strong light transmittance.

5. Sound

ABS: Produces a higher-pitched, sharper sound.

PBT: Thicker and denser, leading to a deeper, more muted sound.

ABS keycaps have a smoother surface and produce a crisper sound when tapped, whereas PBT keycaps have a frosted surface and a duller sound. Individuals have different tastes. The feel of PBT keycaps is preferred by some individuals, whereas ABS keycaps are liked by others.

6. Manufacturing

ABS: Easier, cost-effective.

PBT: Requires advanced processing.

ABS keycaps are cheaper and easier to manufacture, allowing for a wider range of colors and designs, but they are less durable and more prone to wear. PBT keycaps, while more expensive and challenging to produce, offer superior durability, wear resistance, and maintain their texture and appearance over time. For those who value longevity and high-quality legends, PBT keycaps are the better option.

7. Maintenance

ABS: Can become sticky.

PBT: Requires less maintenance.

ABS keycaps require more frequent maintenance due to their tendency to develop a shiny, oily surface and fade. They need regular cleaning to maintain their appearance. PBT keycaps, on the other hand, are more resistant to wear and grime, making them easier to maintain and less prone to fading. For those who prefer low-maintenance keycaps that stay looking new longer, PBT keycaps are the better choice.

Akko PBT Keycaps

ABS vs PBT: Which is better?

• Budget: If you're on a tighter budget, ABS keycaps might be the way to go.
• Aesthetics: If you prioritize a wide range of colors and designs, ABS offers more variety.
• Durability: If you want keycaps that will withstand heavy use and maintain their appearance over time, PBT is usually a better choice.
• Feel and Texture: If you prefer a more premium feel, PBT keycaps are often favored for their texture and finish.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on what factors are most important to you. Select ABS keycaps if you want a smoother, quieter typing experience and a more cost-effective solution. Remember that they are less heat-resistant and may eventually become glossy. Select PBT keycaps if you value toughness, a matte finish, and stain and shine resistance. Although they are more expensive, they are more heat-resistant and more appropriate for premium printing techniques like dye-sublimation. 

When discussing keycap printing techniques, let's check what double-shot and dye-sublimation keycaps are.

What are double-shot keycaps?

To ensure that the characters on double-shot keycaps never fade, two layers of plastic are fused together during the manufacturing process. ABS and PBT materials can both be processed with this technique.

ABS keycaps have vivid colors and a smooth texture; however, over time, they could get shiny. PBT keycaps are less prone to becoming shiny, have a surface that is slightly rougher, are more resilient, and can always retain their original appearance.

In general, double-shot keycaps—whether made of ABS or PBT—are adored by everybody due to their robustness, readable characters, and attractive appearance. The primary factors influencing the selection of a material are personal preference, cost, and durability.

What are dye-sublimation keycaps?

The process of dye-sublimation makes use of the ink's ability to sublimate when heated to high temperatures, which allows the ink to seep into the material and print the design. While ABS weakens and deforms over 80 degrees Celsius and is not heat-resistant, PBT is the best material for keycaps when thermal sublimation is being used.

Dye-sublimation can be further divided into two types: single-sided
Dye-sublimation and five-sided dye-sublimation. The former relates to printing on the keycap's front side, whereas the latter involves printing on the keycap's five sides, as the names imply.

When it comes to defects, five-sided dye sublimation is more expensive, more difficult, and less reliable than single-sided thermal sublimation. Consequently, the cost of five-sided thermal sublimation is substantially higher. Because of this, the majority of inexpensive thermal sublimation keycaps have a main key region that is sublimated using a single side, whereas a small percentage of keycaps employ a five-sided method.

The fact that it is currently very difficult to print light-colored characters on dark-colored keycap materials due to the current technology and principles involved in thermal sublimation is another important constraint of the process.

Akko 5-Side Dye-sublimation Keycaps

Summary

ABS and PBT keycaps can be compared; each has advantages and disadvantages. Although ABS keycaps are more widely used and less expensive, they can eventually get glossy and worn-out. PBT keycaps are less common and usually more expensive, but they are more resilient to wear and tear and keep their texture longer. The decision between ABS and PBT ultimately comes down to affordability, texture, and longevity choices.