Help Topics : About EyeFrame Material Choices

Now that eyewear has emerged as a hot fashion accessory instead of merely being a vision aid, spectacles frame manufactures have started producing frames a wide range of materials so as to offer a vast choice to all consumers. Thanks to this, currently an eyeglasses frame can be chosen according to individual needs depending on qualities one wants such as light weight, flexibility, strength, hypoallergenic materials, and so on. With the availability of hot materials in the eyeglasses frame markets today, such as titanium, beryllium, stainless steel, aluminum, ticral, zyl (plastic), flexon and nylon each with different advantages, in the decision between dramatic eyeglasses and understated ones is a matter of personal choice.

Titanium

Titanium is a lightweight, durable, strong and very corrosion-resistance material. Science it's discovery in 1971, this silver-gray metal has been extensively used for various purposes ringing from the Gemini and Apollo space capsules to medical implants such as heart valves. With the rapid advance-taking place in the manufacturing processes, eyeglasses procedures are now able to create a board range of titanium eyewear in variety of colors. Titanium can also be combined with other metals, such as nickel or copper, to make an alloy, which is a god-send for people who are allergic to nickel. Such people should opt for frames that are marked "100% Titanium". Probably the only drawback to this material, is high cost due to its manufacturing process.

Flexon (A patented "Memory Metal")

Accidentally discovered by Naval Ordinance Lab in 1962, Flexon is a unique and popular material, that can revert back to original state if damaged. Because of this rare feature, its also know as "Memory Metal". The eyeglasses manufacturer Marchon, has the exclusive proprietary rights for this material which is a titanium bases alloy containing a combination of nickel with some other elements. The transition temperature of the material is at or below freezing, so Flexon comes back into shape in almost any operating environment. It doesn't corrode and is lightweight and hypoallergenic. This material that is sometime used as Flexon-type staples in many restorative surgeries offers immense benefits for eyeglass procedures. It is about 25% lighter in weight that standard metals so wearers who opt for this have much less weight on the face. Moreover, Flexon easily reverts back into the shape the dispenser originally gave it, so it ultimately makes for a better frames and fit.

Beryllium

Another increasingly popular material in Beryllium, as steel-gray metal, that serves as a lower-cost alternative to titanium eyeglasses. It considered to be excellent choice for wearers who have a high skin acidity or spend a good amount of time in or around salt water due to its inherent corrosion and tarnish resisting properties. An optician finds it easy to adjust glasses, as this material is lightweight, very strong, very flexible and available in a wide range of colors. Because of its ability to conduct heat and its feather-weight, Beryllium is used to make certain parts of rockets, missiles and satellites, and is also used in products such as jewelry, watches, sports equipment and high-performance autos.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy of steel and chromium; but sometimes may also contain another elements. In general, stainless steel contains 10 to 30 percent chromium, which imparts it an excellent resistance to corrosion, abrasion and heat. Lightweight, low toxicity and strength are the other noteworthy qualities of stainless steel. Those steels containing only 10.5% to 27% chromium are said to be nickel-free and thus hypoallergenic. Due to lack of marketing efforts and availability, stainless steel does not enjoy the same popularity as titanium, despite its qualities and reasonable cost.

Aluminum

Aluminum is considerable to be the world's most copious non-ferrous material and is perhaps the most widely used one. Although pure aluminum is actually soft and weak, commercial aluminum that contains small amounts of silicon and iron as hard and strong. Primarily high-end eyewear designers because of the unique look it creates use aluminum. The eyeglasses produced are weight-less and yet highly corrosion resistant.

Ticral

An alloy of titanium, copper and chrome, Trical, is relatively new to the market. It is nickel-free and this hypoallergenic. Thanks to its feather-weight it offer many of the features of titanium without the high cost. A unique property of this material is that it can be cut a bit thicker than titanium, thus allowing it to have the popular look af a thin plastic frame without compromising on its weight. Ticral is also strong, durable and available in a variety of colors.

Zyl (Plastic or cellulose Acetate)

Considering that present day plastic frames have undergone a fashion resurrection. Zyl is a very cost-effective and creative option for eyewear. Currently the most popular options are the Zyl frames that have layered colors. Produced through an extrusion process, the plastic starts in a pallet form, goes into a hopper and gets melted and poured into sheets. This sheets form is often layered with others of varying colors to create a pattern. Once this block of plastic is cut into eyeglasses forms, the patterned sheets create a variety of striation and colorations. Plastic frames can also be made through an injection-molding process. In this method, the plastic is injected into a form or mold a molten and then cooled. Propionate. A nylon-based plastic that is hypoallergenic is another option used by some manufactures to create frames with the help of the injection-molding process. It is light-weight and has a different look and feel when compared to other plastics. One of the drawbacks of plastics is that it will burn through it is not easily ignited, and sometime due to aging and sunlight exposures its strength may diminish slightly. However, this doesn't affect its color.

Monel

This material, a mixture of a board range of metals is the most widely used material in the manufacture of eyeglasses frames. It is malleable and corrosion-resistant especially if the right kind of plating, such as palladium or other nickel-free options, are used.

Nylon

Nylon, is a versatile material that was introduced in the market in 1983 for the manufacture of toothbrush bristles and at that time was labeled "artificial silk". Today, the synthetic fiber, is used for everything from parachutes and umbrellas to automobile tyres. Peoples were first acquainted with eyeglasses made of nylon in the late 40s. However, due to characteristic such as brittleness and other problems, eyeglass manufactures substituted blended nylon (polyamides, co-polyamides and gliamides). Such blended nylon frames are favored for their strength and weightless features. Nylon is also preferred choice for sports and performance frames. The premier material is resistant to hot and cold, while being more flexible and stiffer. An added advantage is the nylon can be easily molded and thus is considered ideal for popular wraparound styles, as well as other shapes that are difficult to produce.

Unusual Frame material

If cost is not an inhabiting factor, one can also opt for eyeglass frames or design accents in the unusual frame materials listed below:

Silver: solid silver or sterling silver is not customarily used as a main frame material because it is not very wearable or snug fitting. Occasionally, however, it may be utilizes as a trace element in metal alloy frames or as a jewelry like accent on plastic frames.

Gold: some companies make "gold eyewear". Gold being an expensive proposition, is usually substituted with gold plating rather than solid gold. Sometimes, it can also be used for emphasizing plastic or metal frames just like silver.

Wood and Bone: as a rule, wood and bone frames are hand made, one-of a kind piece that are targeted at a niche clientele. The major plus point of this frame materials is that they provide a rare and elegant look to the frames. Otherwise, these are much more expensive, stiffer and less adjustable in comparison to the other frame materials.

Leather: Leather is not as lasting or pragmatic as other materials used for enhancing the look of a frame, but is still used by some as it provides an interesting and fashionable dimension to the frame. Mostly it is used to accentuate temples or compliment frame fonts.