Custom Membrane Switches

The History of Membrane Switches

Membrane Switches first became commercially available in the 1980s. There was even a membrane switch assembly on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981. The first membrane switches used polycarbonate overlays which significantly limited their life span, and caused failures after thousands of key-presses. Advancements in material and polymer science allowed for the use of Polyester (PET) graphic overlays. The use of hard coated PET overlays allowed membrane switches to last for millions of key-presses. Since then membrane switches have been widely used in medical devices, household appliances, and industrial equipment.

• Customization – One of the main advantages of a custom membrane switch is that they are customized to your application. You can choose how many buttons you need, what indicator LEDs are required, the size and shape of the membrane switch, the circuit construction, the mounting adhesive, the graphic colors, the text on the graphic, and the logo. Membrane switches serve as a human-machine-interface, but they also serve as a branding tool, and a way to make your product look finished and complete.
• Durability – Membrane switches are extremely durable. We finish them by applying a top graphic layer made of hard coated PET. Hard-coated PET can withstand millions of key-presses without cracking or breaking. This material can also hold up to most household cleaning chemicals and many industrial solvents. We apply strong, pressure-sensitive adhesives to the backside of the membrane switches. These adhesives permanently bond to your housings or equipment. 3M typically makes these adhesives. This ensures that the membrane switch is permanently attached to your equipment, and cannot be removed.
• Low Profile – Most membrane switches have a finished thickness between 0.020″ – 0.030″ (0.5mm – 0.75mm), excluding embossing of the buttons. This means that you only need a shallow recess in your housing or machine for the membrane switch to fit into. The low profile of the membrane switch saves your company money on machining costs for metal housings, and mold costs for plastic housings.
• Ease of Cleaning – Membrane switches are extremely easy to clean because of their durable, flat nature. This makes them an excellent choice for medical devices and kitchen appliances. Anyone who has wiped down a microwave, has experience cleaning a membrane switch. It is as simple as spraying the membrane switch keypad with your preferred household cleaner, and then quickly wiping it down.

At Sterling Electrode LLC, we are the most experienced membrane switch designers in America. Our lead designer has designed over 1,000 membrane switches in the last 10 years. As of 2025, approximately 95% of membrane switch design engineers are located in China. The Chinese membrane switch designers are often skilled and experienced, however it is always easier to work with a US based design team. Always ask your supplier where your membrane switch is designed, and if they actually have a design engineer on staff in the USA. Working with a supplier that outsources their designs to another country can cause significant delays for your project, and unnecessary misunderstandings.