Eyeglass Frame Materials
Never before has there been such a variety of frame materials to use for informed, technologically-driven patients.
Ask us about the features and benefits of each frame material and what best meets your lifestyle requirements. This article outlines the facts on each frame material currently used to manufacture eyeglasses available in the marketplace, to help you select the best eyeglasses for your lifestyle.
Titanium Glasses Frames
Titanium is a high-strength, lightweight material commonly used in everything from hubcaps to eyewear. Because titanium ranks seventh in abundance among industry elements in the earth’s crust, it is easily accessible. This material has picked up speed in the eyewear industry as a lightweight option that lends itself to unique designs and colorations. Known to be strong as steel, lightweight, hypoallergenic, and corrosion-resistant.
Memory Metal
Memory metal eyeglass frames are made from a special type of metal alloy that can return to its original shape after being bent or twisted. This makes them highly durable and flexible. If you accidentally bend the frames, they will typically return to their intended shape without permanent damage. This material combines strength with a lightweight feel, making it a practical and resilient choice for eyeglass frames.
Stainless Steel Frames
Stainless Steel material is an alloy of iron and carbon steel with chromium and other elements. The addition of at least 10 percent chromium makes this alloy less prone to stain or rust, a factor that results in a long life compared to that of traditional steel. Because of its durability, lightweight, and sleek appearance, stainless steel has long been a choice of eyewear designers. Known to be non-corrosive, durable, strong, lightweight, and hypoallergenic. It can also be easily shaped into ultra-thin eyewear styles and has flexibility, which adds to the wearer’s comfort.
Silhouette Polyamide X
Silhouette Polyamide X frame material is a type of advanced plastic used in eyewear. It is known for its lightweight, flexible, and durable properties. Polyamide X is a high-tech material that combines strength with comfort, making it ideal for creating sleek, minimalist eyeglass frames. It’s resistant to impact and can maintain its shape over time, providing both style and practicality. The material is also often hypoallergenic, making it a good choice for those with sensitive skin.
Nylon Glasses Frames
Nylon frame material is a type of plastic known for its versatility and durability. It’s lightweight, flexible, and resistant to impact and deformation, which makes it a popular choice for eyeglass frames. Nylon frames can be molded into various shapes and styles, offering both comfort and design flexibility. They’re also resistant to heat and chemicals, which helps them maintain their appearance and integrity over time. Additionally, nylon is often hypoallergenic, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin.
Plastic Glasses Frames
Plastic materials have many style and material options. Easily colored, laminated, patterned, or even layered with fabrics, this material is one of the more creative and workable options. The two commonly used plastic frame materials are called zyl and propionate. Zyl, also known as cellulose acetate, is the most commonly used plastic frame material and is available in every color of the rainbow. Propionate is the second most common material and is a nylon-based, hypoallergenic plastic. It’s lightweight and has a different look and feel than other plastics.
Pros: Easily molded into today’s popular wraparound styles.
Cons: Plastic frames have some drawbacks in fit. Be certain of proper fit initially since the adjustments are limited.
Combination Eyeglass Frames
Combination frames help you get the best of both materials with frames that combine the sleek sophistication of metal with the colors and thickness of plastic.
Carbon fiber frame material is known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. It’s made from thin, strong fibers woven together and bonded with a resin to create a lightweight, yet incredibly durable material. Carbon fiber frames are highly resistant to bending and breaking, making them both strong and flexible. They also have a sleek, modern appearance with a distinctive, textured pattern. Due to their durability and lightness, carbon fiber frames are popular in high-performance eyewear, providing both comfort and resilience.
Are You Allergic to Certain Materials?
Is your skin sensitive to certain frame materials or nose pads? Please let someone on our staff know so we can help you find eyeglasses you can wear comfortably.