What are the difference between ABS and PBT caps? I am asking because I have no idea what people are talking about when they talk about different types of caps. After trawling through about a dozen pages of this thread I have learnt what doubleshots are (yay!) but what are ABS and PBT? Or any other types of caps for that matter? And how can I differenciate between them?
Also, circuit boards. What is the difference between a PCB or a plate? From what I've understood so far, plate mounted switches are easy to take on and off, but thats about it.
Thanks for helping an idiot out (Y)
Materials:ABS and PBT (and POM) are different types of plastic.
ABS - smooth and dry feeling
PBT - textured and dry feeling
POM - smooth and wet feeling
(correct me if I am wrong on anything)
Standard Profiles:OEM - Stands a little taller (Filco stock keycaps for example)
Cherry - Is more low profile than OEM
More
Cherry, OEM, OEM
Thicknesses:Thick - Some DS and Thick PBT
Medium - Some DS and Medium PBT
Thin - Some DS and standard caps
More
Thick PBT, Medium PBT, Stock Filco
Legends:Doubleshot (DS) - Legends are one shot and rest of the keycap is another (basically), so the legends will never wear out.
Dye sublimation (Dyesub) - I believe it is done by masking and dying the keycap or something like that. it wears pretty well.
Pad Printed - Printed on top of the cap, it wears off pretty easily.
Laser Etched - The legends are etched out out of the cap, you can feel the legends under your finger. Can fade, but relatively permanent.
Engraved - Material is removed to create the legends and there is usually not another color introduced. Permanent, but can fill with finger oil.
More
DyeSub, Laser Etched, Pad Printed