Material selection forms the foundation: premium PET substrates offer superior bend resistance compared to standard PC; high-purity silver paste delivers more stable contact resistance than carbon paste. In structural design, rational keyform and travel design minimise stress concentration, extending service life. Operating environment proves critical: high temperatures and humidity accelerate material ageing, while chemically corrosive conditions damage circuit layers. Operational habits also impact durability: excessive force or sharp object use damages surfaces. Improper electrical parameter settings, such as excessively high switching currents, can cause contact erosion. Production process quality directly impacts reliability, including printing precision and lamination quality. Typical industrial-grade membrane panels achieve 1 to 3 million key operations under normal conditions, though this may drop below 500,000 in extreme environments.
Methods to extend lifespan include: selecting material combinations suited to the environment; designing appropriate key structures and circuit parameters; incorporating protective circuits such as arc suppression; standardising operating procedures; and conducting regular cleaning and maintenance. Establishing a lifespan prediction model, combined with residual life assessment using actual usage data, can effectively prevent sudden failures.
