An industrial keyboard operating on a production floor under skylights or in a machine cabin outdoors presents a completely different challenge compared to a standard office interface. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, present both in sunlight and in some sources of artificial lighting, poses a serious threat to the durability of materials used in keyboards.

At Qwerty, we know that improper material selection and lack of UV protection lead to premature degradation of industrial interfaces. That’s why we ensure that the technologies we employ effectively address this problem.

Why is UV radiation so destructive?

Ultraviolet radiation acts at the molecular level, breaking chemical bonds in plastics. This process, known as photodegradation, produces free radicals that further destroy the material’s structure. The result? Yellowing, brittleness, loss of flexibility, and gradual surface crumbling.

In industrial environments, the problem is amplified. High temperatures, chemical contaminants, and intensive use accelerate UV-induced degradation. A keyboard that would last for years in an office can become unusable on a production floor within months.

How do different materials react to UV exposure?

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS is widely used in inexpensive computer keyboards, but performs poorly in industrial settings. When exposed to UV, it yellows within weeks, becomes brittle, and cracks easily. Key markings made via digital printing fade, and the surface develops a characteristic chalky appearance.

Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)
PBT shows much better UV resistance, retaining about 70% of its mechanical strength even after years of exposure. That’s why it is used in premium industrial keyboards. However, even PBT requires additional protection in interfaces intended for extremely demanding conditions.

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate offers excellent optical clarity but is highly susceptible to UV. Without stabilizers, it quickly yellows and loses transparency. In industrial keyboards, it is mainly used with protective coatings.

Polyester films
High-quality polyester films form the basis of most membrane industrial interfaces. This polymer has good UV resistance compared to ABS but still requires stabilizers for outdoor applications. With special additives, the films maintain flexibility and transparency over years of operation.

Polyurethane
Commonly used in protective covers for industrial keyboards. Basic variants may yellow under UV, but coated versions show excellent resistance to photodegradation. Polyurethane covers protect not only from radiation but also from dust, moisture, and chemicals.

How we protect our keyboards from UV radiation

Effective UV protection results from a carefully balanced combination of suitable materials and advanced production technologies. At Qwerty, we developed a comprehensive approach to photodegradation, using both specialized surface coatings and innovative multilayer construction methods.

Base material selection
For clients in industries with high UV exposure, we recommend keyboards with polyester films reinforced with stabilizers. Additionally, we use specially formulated adhesives resistant to photodegradation.

UV stabilizers added to the films act like “molecular umbrellas,” absorbing harmful radiation before it reaches the polymer’s main structure. In our lab, we test various stabilizer concentrations, adapting them to specific operating conditions—different formulations are used for artificial-light environments like mines, and others for outdoor industrial installations.

Photodegradation-resistant adhesives are equally important, because even the best surface materials cannot protect the keyboard if the bonds start delaminating under UV. Our adhesives retain flexibility and adhesion even after years of intense exposure, ensuring the integrity of the entire interface structure.

Protective coatings and durable printing
We developed specialized protective coatings applied to the front surfaces of industrial keyboards. Using advanced photostabilizers and UV absorbers, these coatings effectively filter harmful radiation while maintaining surface clarity and aesthetics.

The coating process requires precise control of application parameters—temperature, humidity, and drying time. Every keyboard undergoes a multi-stage quality control process to ensure uniform coverage and proper layer thickness. Even minor irregularities can lead to localized UV penetration and accelerated degradation.

Our glass and special-surface printing technology allows markings to remain legible even after years of intense sunlight exposure. We use specialized solvent-based inks with enhanced photodegradation resistance.

Optical bonding for additional protection
Optical bonding technology, applied in advanced interfaces, is a breakthrough in UV protection. The process permanently bonds the touchscreen to the display, eliminating air gaps between layers.

Removing air gaps drastically reduces the risk of UV radiation penetrating the keyboard structure. Air in micro-gaps can act as a conduit for radiation, concentrating its destructive effect. Optical bonding creates a uniform, monolithic structure that effectively disperses and absorbs UV on the surface, preventing it from reaching sensitive internal layers.

Shielding systems
In addition to EMI/ESD protection, our shielding systems serve as an additional barrier against UV radiation. This multifunctionality is an example of engineering efficiency—one system addresses multiple operational challenges.

Metalized layers in our keyboards, made from precisely applied conductive coatings, effectively reflect a significant portion of UV radiation. Metals naturally scatter and reflect electromagnetic radiation across a broad spectrum, including harmful UV-A and UV-B.

In practice, this creates double protection—outer layers absorb and filter the first “hit” of UV, while internal shielding provides another protective barrier. This is especially effective in keyboards with transparent or semi-transparent elements, where conventional UV coatings might affect readability.

Effective UV protection = long-lasting Qwerty keyboards

UV protection is not only about aesthetics—it is a core factor in ensuring reliability and longevity of industrial interfaces in the most demanding applications. Our experience in manufacturing industrial keyboards has allowed us to develop comprehensive solutions that effectively prevent photodegradation even under extreme operating conditions. Every Qwerty keyboard reflects thoughtful technological decisions, advanced production processes, and rigorous quality control. Choosing our interfaces is an investment not just in hardware, but in technology that supports uninterrupted, efficient industrial operations for years of reliable use.