From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical movements?

For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for
a thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each
individual keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.

What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone,
PTFE, lithium, etc.?
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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical >movements?

For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for
a thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each >individual keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.

What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone, >PTFE, lithium, etc.?

I think I used this on my old Logtech keyboard.
It did not help very long, some years..
Ebay shows I ordered in 2013:
Super Lube Synthetic Grease With PTFE For Crown Gears Guide Posts Plastic Safe Do not blame me if it kills your keys !!!
ebay.com/itm/202336267610?itmmeta=01K3G74WZKNDRNGGKEXP2GQ16V

This site has some more info on grease:
https://switchandclick.com/what-lube-to-use-for-mechanical-keyboard-switches/

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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:17:46 +0530, Pimpom <Pimpom@invalid.invalid>
wrote:

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical >movements?

For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for
a thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each >individual keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.

What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone, >PTFE, lithium, etc.?

Keycaps are made from either ABS or PBT. PBT is more durable. The
easiest way to tell the difference is that ABS will be destroyed by
acetone, while PBT is more resistant.

"How to lube your switches" <https://dygma.com/blogs/stories/how-to-lube-your-switches>

I don't lube my keyboards because the grease tends to make the dirt,
dust and food debris stick to the grease, which then requires
disassembly to repair. By the time the sliding parts of the keys have
gouged the walls of the key, no amount of lubrication will return the
key to normal operation.

Also, grease tends to cause intermittent contact closures. If the key
has exposed contacts, you might try dielectric grease. I haven't
tried it, but I think it might work.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 25-08-2025 02:36 pm, Jan Panteltje wrote:

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical
movements?

For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for
a thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each
individual keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.

What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone,
PTFE, lithium, etc.?

I think I used this on my old Logtech keyboard.
It did not help very long, some years..
Ebay shows I ordered in 2013:
Super Lube Synthetic Grease With PTFE For Crown Gears Guide Posts Plastic Safe
Do not blame me if it kills your keys !!!
ebay.com/itm/202336267610?itmmeta=01K3G74WZKNDRNGGKEXP2GQ16V

This site has some more info on grease:
https://switchandclick.com/what-lube-to-use-for-mechanical-keyboard-switches/

Thanks for the reply. I'll look for something similar in my country. And
no, I won't blame you if it blows up my keyboard :-) (I'm sure it
won't). It's a $30 kb+mouse combo and I've already had 2.5 yrs of
service out of it. It's still going strong - I live in a dusty
environment and just felt like giving it a thorough cleaning.

Anyway, I was looking more for a general-purpose lubricant than for one specifically for a keyboard.
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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

Pimpom <Pimpom@invalid.invalid> Wrote in message:r

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical movements?For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for a thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each individual keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone, PTFE, lithium, etc.?

It's the same grease used in cameras. You can buy small cups of it
from Amazon, search camera grease.

Cheers
--


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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 8/24/2025 10:47 PM, Pimpom wrote:

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical movements?

For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for a thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each individual keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.

What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone, PTFE,
lithium, etc.?

Are you looking for this *specific* application? Or, just "in general"?

For *mechanisms*, I like graphite.
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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On Mon, 25 Aug 2025 10:34:38 -0700, Don Y
<blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

On 8/24/2025 10:47 PM, Pimpom wrote:

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical movements?

For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for a >> thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each individual
keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.

What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone, PTFE,
lithium, etc.?

Are you looking for this *specific* application? Or, just "in general"?
For *mechanisms*, I like graphite.

Graphite is conductive, which is that last thing I would want inside
an electrical switch.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 8/25/2025 10:56 AM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

On Mon, 25 Aug 2025 10:34:38 -0700, Don Y
<blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

On 8/24/2025 10:47 PM, Pimpom wrote:

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical movements?

For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for a >>> thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each individual
keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.

What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone, PTFE,
lithium, etc.?

Are you looking for this *specific* application? Or, just "in general"?
For *mechanisms*, I like graphite.

Graphite is conductive, which is that last thing I would want inside
an electrical switch.

Which is why I carefully asked if the OP was looking for "this *specific* application? Or, just 'in general'?"

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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:48:07 +0530, Pimpom <Pimpom@invalid.invalid>
wrote:

On 25-08-2025 02:36 pm, Jan Panteltje wrote:

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical
movements?

For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for
a thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each
individual keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.

What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone, >>> PTFE, lithium, etc.?

I think I used this on my old Logtech keyboard.
It did not help very long, some years..
Ebay shows I ordered in 2013:
Super Lube Synthetic Grease With PTFE For Crown Gears Guide Posts Plastic Safe
Do not blame me if it kills your keys !!!
ebay.com/itm/202336267610?itmmeta=01K3G74WZKNDRNGGKEXP2GQ16V

This site has some more info on grease:
https://switchandclick.com/what-lube-to-use-for-mechanical-keyboard-switches/

Thanks for the reply. I'll look for something similar in my country. And
no, I won't blame you if it blows up my keyboard :-) (I'm sure it
won't). It's a $30 kb+mouse combo and I've already had 2.5 yrs of
service out of it. It's still going strong - I live in a dusty
environment and just felt like giving it a thorough cleaning.

Anyway, I was looking more for a general-purpose lubricant than for one >specifically for a keyboard.

It's called "membrane keyboard lube". There are many sources. But as
Jeff L notes, the keyboard may already be toast. But you have noting
to lose then.

Joe
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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:33:50 -0700, Don Y
<blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

On 8/25/2025 10:56 AM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

On Mon, 25 Aug 2025 10:34:38 -0700, Don Y
<blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

On 8/24/2025 10:47 PM, Pimpom wrote:

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical movements?

For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for a >>>> thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each individual
keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.

What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone, PTFE,
lithium, etc.?

Are you looking for this *specific* application? Or, just "in general"? >>> For *mechanisms*, I like graphite.

Graphite is conductive, which is that last thing I would want inside
an electrical switch.

Which is why I carefully asked if the OP was looking for "this *specific* >application? Or, just 'in general'?"

There is no "application". Mr Pimpom is just trying to clean his
keyboard and not design a product around it. He mentioned that he was
working on a "membrane-type" keyboard, not a mechanical keyboard:
"when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard"
I believe you might be thinking of a mechanical keyboard. Whether the
keyboard is membrane or mechanical, dumping conductive grease into the
contact area is a really bad idea.

Membrane keyboards have a silicone rubber sheet with a dome shaped
protrusion forming the spring and actuator or the switch. Below the
dome are 2 PCB (printed circuit board) traces, which are the switch
contacts. When the dome is depressed by the users finger, the
conductive graphite paint coating the inside of the dome bridges these
two PCB traces, which the key matrix decoder recognizes as a key
press.
<http://xahlee.info/kbd/rubber_dome_switch.html>

Adding additional graphite lube to the switch will eventually short
out the switch. The silicone rubber sheet does NOT act as a
protective seal. The graphite lubricant, which is usually mixed with
oil or grease, will eventually find it's way under the dome by
capillary action (especially at the PCB edges) or through cracks as
the flexible silicone rubber sheet cracks with age.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design

On 8/25/2025 9:30 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

What kind of lubricant is used to reduce friction in light mechanical movements?

For example, when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard for a >>>>> thorough cleaning, I found a light white paste applied where each individual
keycap slides in and out through square holes in the frame.

What type of lubricant is commonly used for such applications? Silicone, PTFE,
lithium, etc.?

Are you looking for this *specific* application? Or, just "in general"? >>>> For *mechanisms*, I like graphite.

Graphite is conductive, which is that last thing I would want inside
an electrical switch.

Which is why I carefully asked if the OP was looking for "this *specific*
application? Or, just 'in general'?"

There is no "application". Mr Pimpom is just trying to clean his
keyboard and not design a product around it. He mentioned that he was working on a "membrane-type" keyboard, not a mechanical keyboard:
"when I disassembled my Logitech membrane-type keyboard"

You omitted the prefacing "For example, ". I don't assume it to mean
"for my particular INTENDED usage".

Regardless, my comments sought clarification as to whether or not
the "membrane-type" keyboard was the issue that was trying to be
addressed *or* just AN EXAMPLE of a "light mechanical movement"
that could benefit from a lubricant.

And, why I qualified my answer "for mechanisms".

I believe you might be thinking of a mechanical keyboard. Whether the keyboard is membrane or mechanical, dumping conductive grease into the contact area is a really bad idea.

Lubricants tend to be bad ideas in anything that can attract dust or
dirt.

Membrane keyboards have a silicone rubber sheet with a dome shaped
protrusion forming the spring and actuator or the switch. Below the
dome are 2 PCB (printed circuit board) traces, which are the switch
contacts. When the dome is depressed by the users finger, the
conductive graphite paint coating the inside of the dome bridges these
two PCB traces, which the key matrix decoder recognizes as a key
press.

The original "membrane keypads" were two sheets of mylar/plastic
with a fixed separator keeping the surfaces apart. The stiffness of
the upper sheet determined the actuating force necessary to deform
the top sheet enough to make contact with the lower sheet (typically
printed wiring, sometimes a rigid PCB with exposed traces, often in
a matrix configuration to minimize the number of conductors -- esp
if implemented as a flex circuit)

I've also seen implementations where a sheet of conductive *foil*
was placed on the underside of the top mylar sheet. No need to
isolate the foil areas for "switch 1" from "switch 2" as, worst
case, two key closures appear if someone deliberately tries
to press two areas.

With this technology, you can make buttons that require extremely
high levels of force to actuate (e.g., a ham-fisted lobsterman on
a boat on the ocean -- OUR use case)

<http://xahlee.info/kbd/rubber_dome_switch.html>

Adding additional graphite lube to the switch will eventually short
out the switch. The silicone rubber sheet does NOT act as a
protective seal. The graphite lubricant, which is usually mixed with
oil or grease, will eventually find it's way under the dome by
capillary action (especially at the PCB edges) or through cracks as
the flexible silicone rubber sheet cracks with age.

This type of keyboard is not as durable as the type mentioned
above. The conductive surface on the underside of the rubber
wears and leads to intermittent connections.

And, of course, the "TI-calculator"-types of keypads where small
metallic domes are deformed by pressure on an overlay.

Much depends on the intended usage of the keypad and the budget
available. Things like "Ir remote controls" tend to use
crappy switches as they aren't worth much (and SELL, as products,
for just a few dollars). The big appeal is you can mold the button
surfaces in various protruding shapes (instead of purely flat)
as well as apply color. But, they feel "mushy"; you never are sure
if youve pressed it.

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