What are the main eyeglass frame materials on market?

PLASTIC

Acetate

The most common material when it comes to high quality designer eyewear is definitely acetate. It’s a high-quality plastic made from the renewable resources of wood pulp and natural cotton fibers. Acetate retains its color brilliance impeccably over time because the hue is embedded in the material and not sprayed on, which prevents the color from flaking. By mixing different colors of melted acetate, you can create beautiful color combinations, in layers (in all directions) or in swirls, so it looks like a turtle, but in all possible colors. When making a frame from acetate, a sheet of material is sawn (either by hand or CNC) into the design of the frame and then heat molded to add curves.

Nylon

This frame material is most commonly used for cheap sunglasses. Nylon is strong, lightweight and flexible, but it can become brittle over time. For this reason, it’s largely been replaced by nylon blends – polyamides, copolyamides and gliamides – which are more durable.

TR90

TR90 was created through Swiss technology as a thermoplastic material that’s incredibly durable, flexible and lightweight. Goggles made of TR90 are extremely comfortable because they’re flexible. Because it’s flexible, it can bend under pressure to comfortably fit your face. This flexibility also makes TR90 glasses frames resistant to damage. Because the material is pliable, they’re much less likely to break or bend in an impact. If you’re constantly dropping your glasses, don’t worry! TR90 frames can hold their own. Finally, and most remarkable of all, TR90 goggles are extremely lightweight, even the boldest and largest models don’t feel bulky when they’re made of TR90. The thermoplastic material feels like it can barely be felt, and you really have to wear it to believe it.

Resin

ULTEM resin is a flame retardant, high performance thermoplastic. It features a high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent heat resistance and high impact resistance. This material is ultra-light, durable and heat resistant up to 400⁰. Ultem frames weigh only 1/3 of the weight of conventional plastic or metal frames.

METAL

Titanium

One of the most important aspects of keeping an eyeglass frame is its durability. No matter how carefully you use your eyeglass frames, they’re bound to break or fall off. Most eyeglasses are made of metal and plastic, which are commonly used in the manufacture of eyeglass frames. But these eyeglass frame materials can easily deform if used for a long period of time. Most people opt for titanium eyeglass frames instead of metal and plastic because these frames can be bent and twisted, and then return to their original shape. The quality of these eyeglass frames is durable and reliable even with rough use. Those who choose titanium glasses also don’t have to worry about handling them carefully because they’re shock resistant.

Compared to normal metal, titanium is one of the lightest and most preferred materials used for making glasses frames. These titanium eyeglass frames can be worn comfortably and relaxed while playing, jogging or running. Since these eyeglass frames don’t require any maintenance, it’s certainly one of the best materials for eyeglass frames.

Flexon

This is a titanium alloy that’s about 50% titanium and 50% nickel and is also referred to as memory metal. Eyeglass frames made of memory metal are extremely flexible and can be twisted or bent to the extreme without losing their original shape. Therefore, memory metal eyeglass frames are particularly suitable for children or for those who’re hard on their glasses.

Beta Titanium

This is an alloy that’s primarily titanium, with small amounts of aluminum and vanadium. These other metals in the alloy make beta titanium more flexible than 100% titanium and make it easier to fit. Beta titanium has memory properties and is most often used in high-end designer frames. Because of its toughness and light weight, it can be used for both thick-looking frame fronts and ultra-thin temples.

Monel

This popular, inexpensive material is an alloy of nickel and copper. It’s less expensive than other metals, but – depending on the quality of the plating – Monel frames may or may not discolor over time and cause skin reactions. Many inexpensive metal frames are made from Monel.

Beryllium

This inexpensive alternative to titanium resists corrosion and tarnishing, making it a good choice for those with high skin acidity or who spend a lot of time in or with salt water. It’s also lightweight, strong and flexible, and available in a wide range of colors.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel and surgical stainless steel frames are an alternative to titanium. Features of stainless steel frames include their light weight, low toxicity, and strength; many stainless steel frames are also nickel-free, making them hypoallergenic. Stainless steel is readily available and inexpensive. It’s an alloy of steel and chromium that provides excellent resistance to corrosion, abrasion and heat.

Aluminum

Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust and is a lightweight option for eyeglass frames. It’s the most commonly used non-ferrous metal in the world. In addition to being lightweight, aluminum is highly corrosion resistant, soft and durable. Aluminum is also 100 percent recyclable. Aluminum can bend and is slightly less durable than other eyeglass frame materials.

Gold

Dense and lustrous, gold is the most malleable metal in the world. Because of its high cost, it’s used sparingly in the manufacture of eyeglass frames. It’s incorporated into stunning silhouettes in some high-end eyewear collections, but it’s also used as an accent or coating in more affordable eyewear.

BIODEGRADABLE

Wood or imitation wood

Real wood is often used to make frames for sustainability reasons. Sometimes frames are also decorated with imitation wood for fashion reasons.

Oak

The reputation of oak is justified. It’s used for joinery and is solid and durable. It’s easily bendable and unusually resistant to shocks, falls and even heat. Thanks to these qualities and its organic, traditional look, many designers choose oak for their wooden glasses.

Ash

Ash has been used for centuries to make tool handles and even cheese wheels. It’s stable and resists damage from falls and temperature changes. Most importantly, it doesn’t warp: once formed, ash retains its shape virtually forever. Ash is widely used in the northern hemisphere and is very inexpensive. Therefore, it’s logical that many new brands choose it as a lower-risk investment.

Walnut

Walnut has countless shades, from yellow to gray to brown. It’s used by carpenters and cabinetmakers and is often found in moldings or in the interiors of luxury cars. As a noble and durable wood, walnut attracts designers looking for elegance.

Birch

Common in very cold climates, birch is a very durable wood. Shocks, blows, twists – all this it can withstand. But unlike oak, its wood is flexible and easy to shape. It’s used for many wooden glasses because of its beautiful color palette, which ranges from cream to light yellow.
Zebrawood has been used by numerous cabinetmakers and artists. Imported from Gabon and Cameroon, it’s valued for making luxury furniture and stringed instruments. Today, this is one of the noble eyeglass frame materials and is used for the production of wooden glasses.

Bamboo

Although bamboo isn’t strictly speaking a tree, it’s still used like other woods. Many designers have chosen this plant for its exceptional strength, flexibility and, of course, its natural esthetics. The environmental impact of bamboo is much less than most other woods. When watered regularly and the soil is properly fertilized, bamboo can grow more than a foot a day! This incredible growth rate and the fact that it can be grown almost anywhere make bamboo a very popular material for woodworkers.

Rosewood

Rosewood is a name used for several tropical tree species. Their hues range from light brown to red with darker veins. Rosewood is often used for musical instruments because it doesn’t split and is very resistant to pressure.

Buffalo Horn

Beehive hairstyles may not be in fashion anymore, but sunglasses with horn rims are. These glasses have been around for decades and they give their unique vintage look to anyone who wears them. Horn is a renewable resource and provides a rich, multi-colored material for luxury frames. It’s also one of the comfortable eyeglasses frame materials because it adjusts to body temperature when worn. Buffalo horn eyeglass frames are usually one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces. Although buffalo horn is the obvious choice, any type of horn can be used as long as it’s large enough to cut out a frame shape. The horn is cut open, heated and smoothed until it becomes a apartment plate that can then be shaped like an acetate plate.

Recycled Acetate

When you cut out a frame shape from an acetate sheet, the waste can be reused to make new frames. By melting down the waste and adding black ink, new sheets can be made from black acetate (the most common color). They’re 97% recycled acetate. The remaining 3% is just black ink. Once you recycle black, there’s no going back.

Bio-based acetate

While regular acetate is made from a blend of cotton fibers and petroleum or toxic plasticizers, bio-based acetate replaces the plasticizers and traditional pigments with organic additives, minimizing environmental impact.

3D-printed bioplastics

3D-printed eyewear is one of the trends of the decade. Most 3D-printed eyeglass frames are made from polyamide plastic, which is primarily castor oil. While not completely biodegradable, it’s a bioplastic derived from renewable biomass sources.