There are many aspects to explore in the world of mechanical keyboards. It’s not just about keycaps, mods, and switches. The plate of a mechanical keyboard holds unexpected potential for beginners diving into this hobby.
Yes, you heard it right. The plate, whether made of metal or plastic, in a mechanical keyboard serves not only an aesthetic purpose but also contributes to producing different sound characteristics.
In this article, we will introduce you to 7 common types of mechanical keyboard plates.
Types of Mechanical Keyboard Plates You Should Know Besides metal and plastic, there are various types of plates used in mechanical keyboards that you should be familiar with.
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Acrylic
Acrylic is one of the commonly used materials for keyboard plates. Its lightweight nature is one of the advantages of this plate, making it suitable for those who carry their keyboards to work.
Acrylic plates tend to produce a ‘clack’ sound, which is easily achievable on a keyboard. Although lightweight and popular, acrylic plates require careful handling as they are prone to breakage.
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Polycarbonate (PC)
In addition to acrylic, another readily available plate material for mechanical keyboards is polycarbonate or PC. Modern keyboards are often equipped with this lightweight material plate.
Although lightweight, polycarbonate is stronger and more flexible. It produces a pleasant ‘thock’ sound. However, this plate is prone to scratching when removing or installing switches.
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Brass
Brass plates are not commonly found in standard keyboards available on the market. You can obtain them by ordering a keyboard with a brass plate or by crafting one yourself with the help of a skilled artisan.
Brass pairs well with keyboards made of aluminum due to their similar weight. This plate’s characteristics produce a deep and clear sound. If you choose to order a brass plate, consider the overall weight of your keyboard.
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FR4
Fiberglass (FR4) is a material that is easily found in modern mechanical keyboards. However, it may be challenging to find it independently as there are few local craftsmen capable of making plates from fiberglass.
While not as solid as aluminum nor as flexible as polycarbonate, FR4 produces a well-balanced sound characteristic compared to plates made of other materials.
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Carbon Fiber
As the name suggests, this plate utilizes carbon fiber, which is strong yet flexible for the keyboard’s usage. It is challenging to find this plate on the market unless you order it from a reliable local craftsman.
If you prefer a keyboard with a dominant ‘clacky’ sound, you will fall in love with this plate. The sound is crisp and portrays the unique character of your mechanical keyboard.
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POM
Next on the list is polyoxymethylene (POM), which can also be used as a material for mechanical keyboard plates, not limited to the switches like Akko POM.
POM is known to produce sound characteristics similar to polycarbonate but slightly crisper due to its denser material.
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Wood
You might be surprised to know that wood can be used as an alternative material for the plate in your mechanical keyboard, instead of aluminum or plastic.
A wooden plate produces a ‘thock’ sound and feels solid due to its dense nature. In terms of sound, a wooden plate produces a loud and resonant character, though not as harsh as plates made of other materials.
These are the 7 common types of mechanical keyboard plates you can find on the market today. Apart from aluminum and plastic, there are plenty of other materials to explore, brott!
So, are you interested in trying out the various plate types available on the market to perfect your keyboard?
