Opthalmic
Frames
Frame
Materials
Plastic
|
Characteristics
|
Cellulose
Acetate (Zyl) |
Most popular
material for plastic frames. Nonflammable, durable, color fast,
and available in large quantities. |
Optyl |
Relatively new epoxy material. Light in weight, cannot be overheated
or burned, will not shrink. Optyl's �memory� will cause it to
revert to original shape when heated. |
Cullulose
Proprionate |
Durable material.
Molded rather than cut from a flat sheet like acetate. |
Metal
|
Characteristics
|
Gold |
Made
of gold in combination with other materials such as nickel, copper,
beryllium ,and chrome. Frames may be gold filled, or gold plated.
Some solid gold frames are available, but aside from the high
cost, the softness of the material makes them difficult to work
with and keep in adjustment. |
Silver |
Silver
itself is not used in the manufacturing of frames due to its softness.
Instead, white gold is used. |
Stainless
Steel |
Noncorrosive, strong, and light in weight. |
Aluminum |
Light in weight, long lasting, may be anodized allowing for many
variations in color. |
Titanium |
Relatively
new material. Very light weight, durable, and available in a variety
of colors and styles. |
Nylon
|
Characteristics
|
Nylon |
Synthetic
material made from coal, water, and air. Light weight and very
strong. Often used in children's frames and industrial safety
eyewear. Requires a good deal of heat for lens insertion and adjustments. |
|