Not all keypads are made of hard plastic. Keypads, of course, are switching solutions. They feature one or more keys that are used to control a circuit. While some keypads are, in fact, made of hard plastic, others are made of silicone rubber.

Also known as elastomeric keypads, silicone rubber keypads live up to their namesake by featuring a silicone rubber construction. They aren’t made entirely of silicone rubber. Rather, they typically have a printed circuit board (PCB) that’s covered by a molded layer of silicone rubber.

The molded layer of silicone features the key or keys. By default, it’s separated from the PCB. Pressing a key will result in the silicone rubber layer pushing down and touching the PCB, which will then open or close the circuit.

Silicone rubber keypads are naturally resistant to shocks. They can typically withstand moderate shocks without sustaining damage. The shock-resistant properties of silicone rubber keypads make them a popular choice for commercial applications.

How do silicone rubber keypads resistant shocks exactly? While available in different types, they all feature silicone rubber in their construction. Silicone rubber is a type of synthetic material that looks and feels like soft rubber. It’s essentially a polymer that contains a combination of silicon, oxygen and carbon. When mixed together, the end result is a soft and elastic material that’s known as silicone rubber.

Silicone rubber can withstand shocks because it’s elastic. Therefore, silicone rubber keypads are naturally resistant to shocks.