Comparing Silicone vs. Plastic Feet for Sound Dampening

📅Jan 14, 2026

🔄Jan 14, 2026

By ATTACKSHARK

Comparing Silicone vs. Plastic Feet for Sound Dampening

The Acoustic Engineering of Keyboard Inclination: Silicone vs. Plastic Feet

In the pursuit of the "perfect" typing experience, enthusiasts often obsess over switch lubing, gasket mounting, and keycap profiles. However, one of the most overlooked components in mechanical keyboard engineering is the interface between the device and the desk: the feet. While often dismissed as simple risers for ergonomic inclination, the material composition of these feet—typically silicone, plastic, or metal—serves as the final stage of the keyboard’s acoustic and mechanical filtration system.

Does the material of your riser affect your keyboard's sound? Our analysis suggests that the choice between silicone and plastic feet is not merely a matter of height, but a technical decision that influences vibration damping, acoustic resonance, and even ergonomic strain during high-intensity gaming.

Material Science: The Physics of Vibration Damping

To understand why foot material matters, we must look at the material's loss factor (tan δ). This metric quantifies a material's capacity to dissipate mechanical energy as heat rather than transmitting it as vibration.

The Viscoelastic Advantage of Silicone

Silicone rubber is a viscoelastic material, meaning it exhibits both viscous and elastic characteristics. According to US Patent 6627705B2, high-performance silicone formulations containing silicone resin powder offer superior vibration damping and long-term storage stability.

In a keyboard assembly, silicone feet act as a low-pass filter. When you strike a key, the energy travels through the switch, plate, and case. If the keyboard is coupled to the desk via hard plastic feet, that energy is efficiently transmitted into the desk surface, which can act as a secondary resonator. Conversely, silicone’s high loss factor (typically ranging from 0.1 to 1.0) absorbs these micro-vibrations.

Engineered Plastics and Composites

While conventional wisdom suggests silicone is "always" quieter, reality is more nuanced. Specific high-performance thermoplastics can be engineered with high loss factors that exceed generic silicone in targeted frequency ranges. Research published in the International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT) indicates that specific viscoelastic plastics can achieve loss factors exceeding 1.0. However, for most value-oriented mechanical keyboards, "plastic feet" usually refer to rigid ABS or Polypropylene, which have very low loss factors and serve as stiff mechanical links.

Metric	Silicone Rubber (50A)	Rigid Plastic (ABS)	Impact on Sound
Loss Factor (tan δ)	0.1 – 1.0	< 0.05	Silicone absorbs energy; Plastic transmits it.
Compression Set	< 10%	High (Cold Flow)	Silicone maintains height/damping over years.
Resonance Frequency	Low	High	Plastic can amplify high-frequency "ping."
Grip Coefficient	High	Low	Silicone prevents "keyboard walk" during gaming.

Acoustic Analysis: Frequency Targeting and "Thock" vs. "Clack"

The acoustic signature of a keyboard is defined by how its components filter the sound of the switch's bottom-out and top-out. We categorize these sounds into two primary profiles:

Thock: Low-frequency, muted sounds (< 500 Hz).
Clack: High-frequency, sharp sounds (> 2000 Hz).

Filtering the Case Ping

On our repair bench, we frequently observe that hollow, tray-mount plastic cases are the most susceptible to "case ping"—a high-frequency resonance that occurs when the energy of a keystroke vibrates the air inside the chassis.

Our acoustic modeling indicates that silicone feet are particularly effective at attenuating frequencies in the 1 kHz to 2 kHz range. By absorbing these mid-high frequencies at the point of desk contact, silicone feet shift the perceived sound profile toward the "thock" end of the spectrum. Hard plastic feet, by contrast, provide a stiff mechanical link that allows these high-frequency resonances to persist, resulting in a brighter, "clackier" signature.

The Role of Gasket Mounting

The impact of foot material is also dependent on the keyboard's internal mounting style. A gasket-mounted design, which suspends the plate between layers of soft material, already handles a significant portion of internal vibration. In these builds, the difference between silicone and plastic feet is subtler, affecting mostly the very high-frequency "ping" transmitted to the desk. However, for tray-mount or top-mount keyboards where the PCB is screwed directly to the chassis, the feet become the primary defense against desk resonance.

Compact beige-and-black mechanical keyboard on a cutting mat with spare keycaps and tools, staged for mechanical keyboard photography and modding

Ergonomic Alignment and the Stability Multiplier

Beyond acoustics, the material of your keyboard feet significantly impacts ergonomic health. This is particularly true for competitive gamers who engage in high APM (Actions Per Minute) sessions.

Moore-Garg Strain Index Modeling

To quantify the risk, we applied the Moore-Garg Strain Index (SI), a tool used by ergonomists to assess the risk of distal upper extremity disorders. We modeled a competitive gamer performing high-intensity tasks for 4-6 hours daily.

In our scenario modeling, we found that keyboard instability (common with low-grip plastic feet) forces the user to make micro-adjustments with their wrists to maintain position. This increases the "Posture Multiplier" in the SI formula.

Unstable Setup (Plastic Feet): Estimated SI Score of ~7.6 (Classified as Hazardous).
Stable Setup (Silicone Feet): By reducing the posture multiplier from 1.5 to 1.0, the estimated SI Score drops to ~5.1.

While an SI of 5.1 is still at the threshold of "Caution," it represents a significant reduction in ergonomic risk compared to a hazardous setup. Stability is not just about comfort; it is a mechanical requirement for maintaining a neutral wrist position.

Integrating Ergonomic Accessories

To further mitigate strain, we recommend pairing a stable, silicone-footed keyboard with dedicated supports. For users who prefer a soft, cloud-like feel, the ATTACK SHARK Cloud Keyboard Wrist Rest provides memory foam cushioning that fits all keyboard sizes. Alternatively, those seeking a firmer, more structured alignment might opt for the ATTACK SHARK 68 KEYS ACRYLIC WRIST REST or the ATTACK SHARK Acrylic Wrist Rest with Pattern. These acrylic options feature their own anti-slip rubber pads to ensure the entire ergonomic assembly remains "planted" on the desk.

Practical Modding: Durometer, Thickness, and "The Sweet Spot"

For enthusiasts looking to optimize their current setup, not all silicone feet are created equal. In practical modding, the thickness and durometer (hardness) of the material are critical variables.

Durometer Selection

Durometer is measured on the Shore A scale.

Soft (< 40A): Maximizes dampening but can cause a "mushy" instability during aggressive typing. The keyboard may feel like it is bouncing.
Hard (> 70A): Provides excellent stability but begins to mimic the acoustic properties of hard plastic, losing its damping effectiveness.
The Sweet Spot (50-60A): A medium-soft silicone pad in this range provides the best balance of vibration absorption and structural rigidity.

Thickness and Geometry

Our observations suggest that a 4-5mm thickness is ideal for most builds. Thinner pads (< 3mm) often lack the vertical travel necessary to fully decouple the keyboard from the desk.

The Hybrid "Puck" Mod

A high-value insight from the modding community involves using a hybrid approach. Some users place small, hard plastic or metal "pucks" at the corners of the keyboard to ensure a rock-solid, non-compressive foundation, while using a central silicone strip for vibration damping. This targets specific resonance points without sacrificing the "planted" feel of a heavy board.

Maintenance and Longevity

A common frustration with aftermarket silicone feet is adhesive failure. Based on patterns from our support logs, this is usually due to surface contamination. We recommend cleaning the keyboard base with isopropyl alcohol and applying firm pressure for at least 30 seconds after installation. Silicone's low compression set, as noted in Lingorp's material comparison, ensures that once properly bonded, the feet will maintain their damping properties far longer than thermoplastic alternatives like ABS, which can "cold-flow" or permanently deform under the constant weight of the keyboard.

Holistic Performance: The High-Polling Environment

For the modern gamer, keyboard feet are part of a broader performance ecosystem. If you are running an 8000Hz (8K) polling rate on your mouse, you are operating in an environment where micro-stutter and latency are minimized to the extreme.

At 8000Hz, the polling interval is a mere 0.125ms. To visually appreciate this level of precision, a high-refresh monitor (240Hz+) is essential. In such a high-fidelity setup, even minor mechanical distractions—like a keyboard that "pings" or wobbles—can break immersion. While the feet don't change the 0.125ms interval, they ensure the physical platform remains as stable and silent as the digital signal is fast.

Technical Note on 8K Polling: To saturate the 8000Hz bandwidth, a user must move at least 10 IPS at 800 DPI; however, at 1600 DPI, only 5 IPS is required. High polling rates significantly increase CPU load due to IRQ processing, so we recommend using direct motherboard ports (Rear I/O) rather than USB hubs to prevent packet loss.

Choosing the Right Riser for Your Build

When deciding between silicone and plastic feet, consider your primary goals:

For the "Thock" Hunter: Silicone is mandatory. Look for 50A durometer pads with at least 4mm thickness to filter the 1-2 kHz frequency band.
For the Competitive Gamer: Prioritize wide, high-grip silicone feet. The reduction in ergonomic strain (lowering the Moore-Garg SI score) and the elimination of keyboard "walk" are measurable performance benefits.
For the Heavy Aluminum Board User: If your keyboard is already well-damped and weighs over 2kg, the acoustic difference will be subtle. You may prefer thinner, harder silicone feet (60-70A) to maintain a rigid feel.
For the Budget Tray-Mount User: This is where the biggest gains are found. Replacing stock plastic feet with quality silicone is one of the most cost-effective mods to eliminate hollow case resonance.

Modeling Note: Methodology & Assumptions

The data presented in this article is derived from scenario modeling and established material science heuristics. It is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical or professional engineering advice.

Ergonomic Model (Moore-Garg Strain Index)

Parameter	Value	Unit	Rationale
Intensity Multiplier	1.5	-	Moderate-high force (0.6-0.8N)
Duration Multiplier	0.5	-	Typical gaming burst duration
Efforts/Minute	3.0	-	High APM (200-300)
Posture (Unstable)	1.5	-	Wrist deviation to stabilize board
Posture (Stable)	1.0	-	Neutral wrist alignment
Speed Multiplier	1.5	-	Rapid key presses (>5Hz)

Boundary Conditions:

Acoustic Model: Assumes a hollow plastic tray-mount chassis. Impact on solid aluminum or gasket-mounted boards will be significantly lower.
Ergonomic Model: This is a screening tool for risk; individual results vary based on hand size, desk height, and pre-existing conditions.

By understanding the mechanical and acoustic properties of your keyboard's feet, you can make an informed decision that improves not only the sound of your "thock" but also the longevity of your wrists.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical or ergonomic advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making significant changes to your workstation if you experience pain or discomfort.