Flexcon
Proven Adhesive Technology and Technical Know-How
SWITCHmark products are specifically engineered for demanding membrane switch applications and are the most advanced of their kind. Color-codedrelease liners on popular constructions ensure accurate product identification and mistake proofing during switch assembly. And, the complete line is UL recognized under UL746C: Polymeric Adhesive System, Electrical Equipment, so you know you’re getting a quality product.
Improving Membrane Switch Performance Through Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Technology
When completely assembled and connected to an instrument or appliance, a membrane switch’s sealed construction prevents the entrapment of foreign particles, including dust and bacteria. In addition, a membrane switch resists powerful cleaners, disinfectants and solvents. Membrane switches also offer space savings (thin and compact), easy cleaning, and the ability to incorporate appealing graphics.
PSAs offer several key characteristics that have made them popular with membrane switch designers. Specifically, there are four primary areas where pressure-sensitive adhesives prove their mettle: compatibility, durability, repositionability and flexibility.
The adhesive must be compatible with a variety of switching mechanics, such as polyester domes, metallic domes and flat switches. It must bond well to a variety of surfaces (including printed circuit boards), surface metals, print-treated and untreated polyester, polycarbonate and other plastics. The very configuration of a membrane switch means that there is limited switch real estate that can be dedicated to the adhesive, thus it is critical that the PSA bond securely within a limited amount of geography. In addition, the adhesive must be compatible with a wide range of dielectric, decorative and conductive inks. Adhesive compatibility is particularly crucial in terms of the graphic overlay. Membrane switch failure may occur when UV inks are used in conjunction with acrylic adhesive systems to produce the graphic overlay layer of a switch. Over time, a reaction can take place between the UV inks and the adhesive, causing the membrane switch to delaminate, and ultimately, fail. However, the adhesive can be specifically engineered to prevent such a reaction without reducing the adhesive’s elasticity.
The stress imparted to an acrylic adhesive during tactile dome actuation demands a high-shear adhesive with exceptional cohesive strength. High-performance PSAs offer a level of elasticity that promotes superior bond retention as the switch cycles through thousands of actuations.
Switch manufacturers want a product that can be repositioned within the first few minutes of application. This ensures that errors can be corrected that would otherwise result in the scrapping of an expensive switch with virtually all of its added value in place. In this area, it is critical that the tack of the adhesive remains consistent from lot to lot, and that the repositionability gives way to permanent adhesion after a set amount of time.
While certain membrane switch requirements are nearly universal, virtually every switch is a unique construction. Therefore, the ultimate success of a switch often hinges on the ability to mix and match different PSA characteristics to meet those specific needs.
SWITCHmark Acrylic Adhesive Will Not Delaminate in the Field


Misaligning the layers of a membrane switch can lead to an increase in cost, waste and time. FLEXcon’s acrylic adhesive system used in its SWITCHmark® line of spacer components and laminating adhesives is repositionable within the first few minutes of application. This feature makes it easy for you to correct costly and time-consuming mistakes during the assembly process.
SWITCHmark Acrylic Adhesive System Does Not React with UV Inks
Do you use UV inks with acrylic adhesives to produce graphic overlays for your membrane switches? Are your customers complaining about your switches delaminating and failing in the field?
FLEXcon and Duraswitch Form Strategic Technology and Marketing Alliance
PHOENIX, Ariz. and SPENCER, Mass. (Jun. 18, 2003) – Duraswitch (NASDAQ: DSWT), a licensor of electronic switch technologies, and FLEXcon, a manufacturer of pressure-sensitive films and adhesives, announced today that they have formed a strategic technology and marketing alliance. The agreement pairs Duraswitch’s flat-panel switch technologies with FLEXcon’s SWITCHmark® line developed for the membrane switch industry.


FLEXcon is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of pressure-sensitive films and adhesives offering the largest selection of standard off-the-shelf products and specialty, made-to-order products in the world. Started over 45 years ago, FLEXcon has grown from a single location to a global company. More information is available at www.flexcon.com or by calling 508.885.8200.
Duraswitch is an innovator in the design and development of electronic switch technologies. Licensing its intellectual property to established switch manufacturers and OEMs, Duraswitch brings together its expertise in switch design with their marketing and manufacturing capabilities to commercialize the technology for a wide range of commercial and industrial controls. Visit www.duraswitch.com or call 480.586.3300 for more information.
FLEXcon SWITCHmark Product Listing
FLEXcon has the unique capability to add value to spacers by customizing film and adhesive components to meet the requirements of challenging applications such as low surface energy substrates, powder-coated surfaces, and rough-textured surfaces. Please contact the Performance Products Business Team to discuss your custom applications.
Following is our standard offering of SWITCHmark Products.
SWITCHmark Polyester with Adhesive Two Sides
SWITCHmark 2-1-2 R (Available in Quick-Ship)
1 mil (25 micron) untreated polyester with 2 mils (50 micron) of adhesive both sides.
Supplied with 90 lb. polycoated liner one side, 80 lb. mando liner backprinted red diagonal stripes one side.
SWITCHmark 2-2-2 Y (Available in Quick-Ship)
2 mil (50 micron) untreated polyester with 2 mils (50 micron) of adhesive both sides.
Supplied with 90 lb. polycoated liner one side, 80 lb. mando liner backprinted yellow diagonal stripes one side.
SWITCHmark 2-3-2 G (Available in Quick-Ship)
3 mil (75 micron) untreated polyester with 2 mils (50 micron) of adhesive both sides.
Supplied with 90 lb. polycoated liner one side, 80 lb. mando liner backprinted green diagonal stripes one side.
SWITChmark 2-5-2 B (Available in Quick-Ship)
5 mil (125 micron) untreated polyester with 2 mils (50 micron) of adhesive both sides.
Supplied with 90 lb. polycoated liner one side, 80 lb. mando liner backprinted blue diagonal stripes one side.
SWITCHmark 2-7-2 (Available in Quick-Ship)
7 mil (175 micron) untreated polyester with 2 mils (50 micron) of adhesive both sides.
Supplied with 90 lb. polycoated liner one side, 80 lb. mando liner backprinted black diagonal stripes one side.
SWITCHmark 2-10-2 (Available in Quick-Ship)
10 mil (250 micron) untreated polyester with 2 mils (50 micron) of adhesive both sides.
Supplied with 90 lb. polycoated liner one side, 80 lb. mando liner backprinted black diagonal stripes one side.
Ideal for burying LEDS within a switch.
SWITCHmark 2-5-4 (Made-to-order)
5 mil (125 micron) untreated polyester with 2 mils (50 micron) of adhesive one side, 4 mils (100 micron) of adhesive on the other side.
Supplied with 90 lb. polycoated liner one side, 80 lb. mando liner backprinted black diagonal stripes one side.
Ideal for mounting switch to printed circuit board via the 4 mil (100 micron) adhesive side.
SWITCHmark Polyester with Adhesive One Side
SWITCHmark 0-1-2 (Made-to-order)
1 mil (25 micron) untreated clear polyester film with adhesive on one side.
This construction comes on a 90 lb. polycoated release liner.
SWITCHmark 0-2-2 (Made-to-order)
2 mil (50 micron) untreated clear polyester film with adhesive on one side.
This construction comes on a 90 lb. polycoated release liner.
SWITCHmark 0-3-2 (Made-to-order)
3 mil (75 micron) untreated clear polyester film with adhesive on one side.
This construction comes on a 90 lb. polycoated release liner.
SWITCHmark 0-5-2 (Available in Quick-Ship)
5 mil (125 micron) untreated clear polyester film with adhesive on one side.
This construction comes on a 90 lb. polycoated release liner.
SWITCHmark Laminating Adhesive (Roll Form)
SWITCHmark 2-0-0 (Available in Quick-Ship)
2 mils (50 micron) of laminating adhesive on a single polycoated differential release liner.
SWITCHmark 4-0-0 (Available in Quick-Ship)
4 mils (100 micron) of laminating adhesive on a single polycoated differential release liner.
SWITCHmark Laminating Adhesive (Sheet Form)
SWITCHmark 2-0-0 S(Available in Quick-Ship)
2 mil (50 micron) laminating adhesive in sheets with an 80 lb. bleached printed release liner on one side and a 90 lb. polycoated release liner on the other side.
SWITCHmark 4-0-0 S (Available in Quick-Ship)
4 mil (100 micron) laminating adhesive in sheets with an 80 lb. bleached printed release liner on one side and a 90 lb. polycoated release liner on the other side.
FLEXcmon Contact Information

FLEXcon
1 FLEXcon Industrial Park
Spencer, MA 01562-2642
Phone: 508.885.8440
Fax: 508.885.8355