Introduction to the Structure of Film Switches
Release date:
2022-07-06
Thin-film switch With excellent features such as superior waterproof, dustproof, oil-resistant, and resistance to harmful gas erosion, along with stable and reliable performance, lightweight design, compact size, long service life, convenient assembly and connection, washable panels that preserve the integrity of the characters, a wide range of color options, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance—using membrane switches can truly elevate the modern appeal of your products. Membrane switch panels are primarily composed of rigid or flexible printed circuit boards serving as the base material, equipped with tactile or non-tactile buttons, and topped with a plastic film panel (such as polycarbonate PC or polyester PET) featuring vibrant, decorative patterns. This innovative electronic component integrates both functional switching capabilities and aesthetic design elements into a single, cohesive human-machine interaction interface.

What is the material thickness of a membrane switch? Let's take a brief look at this together below.
Plastic substrates with a thickness of less than 0.25 mm are referred to as films, primarily used as the panel layer in membrane switches. The reverse side of these films is printed with various indicator patterns and text to clearly mark the operational areas corresponding to each switch button. The choice of film thickness should be based on the dimensions of the panel and buttons: thicker materials provide greater impact resistance but may result in slower response times, while thinner materials offer a poorer tactile feel and reduced rebound clarity. Substrates exceeding 0.25 mm in thickness are classified as sheets, which are unsuitable for three-dimensional button molding. Instead, they can serve as indicator panels for non-button operation zones or act as backing layers for membrane switches, enhancing their overall rigidity. For the circuit layer printing material, the substrate must be made of polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) film (commonly known as PET). This material boasts excellent insulation properties, heat resistance, high mechanical strength, transparency, and gas-tightness. Notably, it exhibits exceptional bending strength and high elasticity, making it an ideal choice for fabricating membrane switch circuits.
Thin-film switch What is the structure like? Let's all take a brief look together below.
I. Panel Layer. The panel layer typically features finely printed patterns and text onto colorless, transparent sheets such as PET or PC. Given that the primary functions of the panel layer are identification and key operation, the selected material must exhibit high transparency, excellent ink adhesion, superior elasticity, and exceptional toughness—qualities essential for ensuring both clarity and durability.
II. Adhesive Layer. The primary function of the face adhesive is to firmly bond the panel layer with the circuit layer, achieving a sealed and secure connection. Typically, this layer requires a thickness of 0.05–0.15 mm, featuring high viscosity and excellent resistance to aging. In production, specialized double-sided adhesives designed specifically for membrane switches are commonly used. Additionally, some membrane switches demand waterproof and high-temperature-resistant properties; therefore, the adhesive material must be tailored accordingly based on specific application requirements.
III. The upper and lower layers of the control circuit. This layer uses high-performance polyester film (PET) as the substrate for the switch circuit pattern, and employs a special printing process to apply conductive silver paste and conductive carbon paste onto it, thereby imparting electrical conductivity. Typically, the thickness of this layer ranges from 0.05 to 0.175 mm, with 0.125 mm PET being the most common choice.
IV. Laminated Layer. Located between the upper and lower circuit layers, this layer serves to seal and bond the components together. Typically, PET double-sided adhesive tape is used, with thicknesses ranging from 0.05–0.2 mm up to 0.2 mm. When selecting materials for this layer, it is essential to carefully consider factors such as the overall thickness of the circuit keypad assembly, insulation requirements, tactile feel, and sealing performance.
V. Back Adhesive Layer. The adoption of the back adhesive layer is... Thin-film switch Closely related to the material being adhered, commonly used options include standard double-sided adhesive tape, 3M adhesive, and waterproof adhesive.
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