A metal dome, also known as a tactile dome or dome switch, is a small metal button that is commonly used in electronic devices as a switch. Metal domes are typically made of stainless steel or other durable metals, and are designed to provide tactile and audible feedback when pressed.

Metal domes are often used in keypads, remote controls, and other devices where precise control is required. They are typically mounted on a printed circuit board or other substrate, and are connected to the device’s circuitry through conductive pads on the bottom of the dome.

When a metal dome is pressed, it collapses and makes contact with the conductive pads on the bottom, completing the circuit and registering the keypress. Metal domes are often preferred over other types of switches because they provide a tactile feedback, which allows the user to feel when the key has been pressed and registered. They are also relatively inexpensive, durable, and can be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit different applications.

Metal domes can also be used in combination with polyester or polycarbonate films to create membrane switches, which are used in a wide range of electronic devices due to their flexibility, low profile, and ease of use.