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POM's Use in Mechanical Keyboards Explained
Guides & Resources
May 28 2021
Recently, POM plastic mechanical keyboard components are becoming more and more popular. Going onto Reddit’s mechanical keyboard subreddit, you will notice builds showing off POM plastic cases, switch plates, key switch housings, and keycaps. Vendors are now carrying these materials, displaying them as a potential alternative to traditional PBT or ABS plastics. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of POM plastic and why this material could find itself in your next build.
What is POM Plastic?
POM, or Polyoxymethylene, is a versatile polymer with a variety of engineering functions that makes it useful in a wide range of industries. POM can be found inside gears, showerheads, pumps, and more. The polymer is known for two key attributes: extreme resilience and a low coefficient of friction. It has excellent resistance to impacts, solvents, and moisture, and POM’s low friction properties reduce the potential for weathering over time.
Its Use in Mechanical Keyboards
Typically, mechanical keyboard components are composed of PBT, ABS, aluminum, brass, etc. However, POM components are continuing to gain traction. The polymer can be injection molded into a wide variety of shapes, allowing it to easily be used to create switches, keycaps, cases, and more.
Switches
You may be using POM right now if you have a mechanical keyboard on your desk. The stems of some key switches use POM due to its low-friction nature, creating a smooth, scratchless keystroke experience with no additional lube. More recently, keycaps have been released that have full POM housing. It is still too early to call how these keycaps perform, as new iterations continue to be released, but the consensus is that these switches produce a deeper, muted tone compared to some non-POM counterparts.
Just because the material has reduced friction, that does not mean POM switches are not subject to scratchiness, stem wobble, and other common pitfalls in the switch market. Properly research any switches you are interested in to make an informed buying decision. If you are in the market for a new set of keyboard switches, we recommend you check out our carefully engineered Glorious Panda switches.
Keycaps
POM keycaps have a very distinct look compared to typical ABS or PBT sets. They come in a milky white color when not dyed, and the surface of these keycaps can be equated to the waxy exterior of a candle. This texture is polarizing for some users, but the sound generated from these caps is more resonant than ABS and aligns closer with PBT. However, POM keycaps are not as thick as their PBT counterparts, allowing RGB illumination from your keyboard to shine through their opaque bodies more prominently.
Unfortunately, POM keycaps are generally sold without legends on their keys. This may be a deal breaker for those who require them for aesthetic or functional purposes. If you want the resonant tone associated with POM keycaps, check out our new GPBT line. They come with our proprietary legends, are available in a wide range of colors, and produce that rich, full tone you crave.
Cases
The biggest question mark regarding POM’s use in the mechanical keyboard scene is its use in cases. While it may seem like a novelty, users of POM-cased keyboards claim it has a satisfying sound signature that reduces resonance in the case. The cloud white color is also a unique draw that may appeal to those looking for a look that diverges from traditional plastic or metal cases. Finally, the durable nature of the polymer ensures the case is resistant to scratches and other blemishes.
While POM cases are growing in popularity, they are still no match for other materials like polycarbonate and metal in regards to availability. Frequently checking subreddits or vendor pages may score you one, but do not expect it to be an instant process.
In Conclusion
POM will continue to be prevalent when manufacturing switch stems, but its other use cases remain to be seen. While still a niche material in the scene, the polymer could continue to rise in popularity as manufacturers find ways to incorporate it into their product lines. Could we see mainstream companies adopt POM cases down the line? Who truly knows. But seeing innovation in the keyboard market is always gratifying.
What are your thoughts on POM components? Would you be interested in creating a mostly POM keyboard build for your setup? Let us know in the comments below!