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Why Does Apple Use ABS Keycaps?

Published in Keyboard Manufacturing 3 mins read

Apple frequently utilizes ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic for the keycaps on many of its keyboards, including those integrated into MacBooks and standalone Magic Keyboards, primarily due to its excellent moldability and recyclability. ABS is a common material choice in the broader keyboard industry for these practical advantages.

Core Reasons for ABS Adoption

The decision to use ABS keycaps aligns with Apple's manufacturing processes and design philosophies, which prioritize precision, large-scale production, and increasingly, environmental considerations.

  • Ease of Molding: ABS is notably easier to mold than other common keycap materials like PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate). This property is crucial for Apple, allowing for the consistent production of keycaps with precise shapes, uniform thickness, and the tight tolerances required for their slim, low-profile keyboard designs. This ease of molding facilitates mass production efficiently.
  • Recyclability: ABS is also easier to recycle compared to PBT. As Apple increasingly focuses on reducing its environmental footprint and improving the recyclability of its products, using materials that can be effectively recycled after a product's lifecycle aligns with their sustainability goals.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: While not explicitly about cost, the ease of molding and widespread availability of ABS generally contribute to more cost-effective production at scale, which is significant for a company producing millions of devices annually.

ABS vs. PBT Keycaps: A Comparison

While ABS is widely used, it's important to understand its characteristics relative to other materials, particularly PBT, which is known for different strengths.

Feature ABS Keycaps PBT Keycaps
Moldability Easier to mold, allowing for precise shapes More difficult to mold, can be more brittle
Durability Less durable, prone to shine over time More durable, wear-resistant, maintains texture
Feel Smoother, can feel slick when worn Textured, more resistant to oils
Recyclability Easier to recycle More challenging to recycle
Usage Widely used in consumer keyboards, gaming keyboards Often found in higher-end or custom keyboards

Source: General knowledge and information on keycap materials.

Manufacturing and Design Implications for Apple

Apple's choice of ABS for keycaps reflects a balance of manufacturing efficiency, design aesthetics, and material properties.

  • Precision Engineering: The low-profile, chiclet-style keys found on Apple keyboards demand extremely precise molding to ensure consistent travel and tactile response across all keys. ABS's moldability makes this achievable at scale.
  • Consistent Aesthetics: ABS keycaps can be manufactured with a smooth, uniform finish that complements Apple's minimalist and sleek design language.
  • Scalability: For a company with the production volume of Apple, materials that are readily available and can be processed efficiently are paramount.

User Experience and Durability

While ABS offers manufacturing advantages, its primary drawback is its tendency to develop a "shine" over time due to finger oils and friction, which can make the keycaps feel smoother and look worn. Despite this, Apple aims to deliver a consistent and reliable typing experience, and the initial feel and responsiveness of ABS keycaps meet their design specifications for a broad user base. The balance struck by Apple prioritizes initial quality and manufacturing benefits, relying on the overall system design (key switches, keyboard chassis) to deliver a premium experience.