The two most popular kinds of plastic are currently used for keyboards are:
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) - the most common keycap plastic used, tends to feel smooth, is durable, a tad cheaper and easier to manufacture than PBT
PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) - tends to have a “matte” texture, a bit stiffer than ABS, a bit more durable than ABS, and doesn’t develop a “glossy” look with use over time like ABS, harder and more expensive to manufacture than ABS
Sublimated dying infuses the ink with the plastic through a manufacturing process Elder Sage perfectly describes:
https://drop.com/talk/27150/what-does-it-mean-that-these-are-dye-sublimted-pbt/2582700
The ink sinks into the keycap just a bit so the font doesn't wear out even if the keycap gets worn down.
Hence “Dye-Subbed PBT”.
kharishI figured out a workable alternative; I am using the R3 red return key, flipped upside down, as the DEL key. Seems to fit perfectly. Is this what the designers intended and I'm just being dense?
sartengeMT3 R2 and R3 are mirror images of each other, similar to SA R2 and R4; so that's why the R3 key works upside-down on R2. I had to do this for one key of an SA set on a keyboard that needed a 1.5u shift key.
No. I just emailed support asking if I could buy a single R0 DEL key and they said it's not possible. You have to buy whatever set the keys you want are in.
A community member
Feb 8, 2021
I wish. I just need beige or teal ISO Enter for my build. I'd have to buy the international kit (not even available) or the Japan kit, for that single key.
check it now so many options..
kinda sucks that ive already bought the ortho and 65% options before only for them to have a proper release that includes more unique layouts that actually include keys i need. suchis the way of things i suppose but look like im gonna have alot of duplicates in the near future. its better than using backspace keys in place of spaces mismatched rows and colors. drops good at keeping repeat customers heh