ABS

ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is a common keycap plastic valued for its smoother surface and ability to hold crisp, detailed legends, particularly with doubleshot or pad-printing methods. Many stock keyboards ship with ABS keycaps because it is generally cheaper to mold precisely than thicker plastics.

The tradeoff is that ABS tends to develop a shiny, slightly slippery patch on frequently pressed keys faster than PBT, since the surface wears smooth with repeated finger oil contact over time. Some typists actually prefer this smoother, lighter feel, especially for fast typing, while others find the eventual shine unpleasant.

When comparing ABS to PBT, remember that thickness and quality vary a lot within each plastic type, so a well-made ABS set can outlast a thin, poorly made PBT set in practical feel even if PBT resists shine better on average. A common mistake is assuming plastic type alone determines sound, when keycap wall thickness affects the pitch of a keystroke just as much.