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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.

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