Skip to main content
Wholesale Pricing for Licensed Professionals
Rx & Prescription ProductsRxMedical SuppliesRxDry EyeEye Drops & LubricantsVitamins & SupplementsEye MasksEyelid & Facial CleansersContact Lens SuppliesBeauty & SkincareEyewear

Eyeglasses and Optical · Frame Materials

Frame Materials and Styles Acetate, metals, memory metal and nylon blends.

The frame material decides weight, adjustability, durability and how the lens is mounted. A good optician matches material and mounting style to the prescription, the face and how hard the patient is on their glasses.

See the material table Back to the optical guide
3Mounting styles: full rim, semi-rimless, rimless
V-bevelEdge used in full-rim frames
GrooveEdge used for semi-rimless nylon cord
FlatPolished edge for drilled rimless

How frames are built

Material and mounting go together

Each mounting style asks something different of the lens edge, and each material behaves differently on the face and at the adjusting table.

Full rim

The lens is fully surrounded by the frame and held by a V-shaped bevel. It is the most forgiving style for strong prescriptions.

Laramy-K

Semi-rimless

The lens edge is ground flat and grooved so a nylon cord can hold it against a top rim.

Laramy-K

Rimless

Drilled lenses need a perfectly flat, smooth edge. Tough, high-tensile materials such as Trivex suit these mounts.

Laramy-K

Adjustability

Plastics, metals and memory alloys respond differently to heat and bending, which affects how easily a frame can be fitted.

The main frame materials

What each family is known for, from the companies that make and use them.

  • Acetate for color and texture
  • Titanium and alloys for light weight
  • Polyamides for flexible, tough frames

  • Cellulose acetate

    Supplied as sheet by makers such as Mazzucchelli 1849 and used for many colorful plastic frames; Mazzucchelli also offers its bio-based M49 material.

  • Titanium and alloys

    Silhouette describes its titanium alloy as light, flexible, corrosion-resistant and antiallergenic; LINDBERG builds screwless titanium frames.

  • Memory metal

    Flexon frames use memory metal in the bridge and temples so they can be flexed or twisted and return to shape.

  • Transparent polyamides

    EMS-Grivory says its Grilamid TR 90 makes ultra-light, practically unbreakable corrective frames and is also used in safety glasses.

At the frame table

Matching the frame to the patient

A few questions narrow the board quickly and prevent remakes.

Check the prescription first

Strong powers usually look and wear better in full-rim frames with smaller eye sizes.

Ask about sensitivities

Patients who react to some metals may do better in titanium, which Silhouette markets as antiallergenic, or in plastic frames.

Think about wear and tear

Kids and active adults are good candidates for memory metal or polyamide frames that flex rather than break.

Material reference

Frame materials at a glance
Cellulose acetate Wide color range; adjustable with heat; full-rim plastic frames
Titanium and titanium alloys Light and strong; used in rimless and screwless designs
Memory metal (Flexon) Bends and returns to shape; good for active wearers
Grilamid TR 90 polyamide Very light and flexible; used in sport and safety frames
Lens edges by mounting style
  • Full-eyewire frames: V-shaped bevel holds the lens in the rim.
  • Semi-rimless frames: flat edge with a groove for the nylon cord.
  • Fully rimless frames: perfectly flat, smooth edge, drilled for mounting hardware.
  • Edging time runs from about three minutes for simple jobs to about seven for complex ones such as high-index drill mounts.
About the claims

Material characteristics are as described by the manufacturers named. Confirm specific frame specifications, including any material allergy information, with the frame supplier.

Common questions about frame materials

Which frames suit strong prescriptions?

Full-rim frames with smaller eye sizes help hide edge thickness, especially when paired with a higher-index lens.

Which lens works best in drilled rimless frames?

Trivex is widely recommended for drill mounts because of its high tensile strength. Polycarbonate can stress-crack around drill holes.

What is TR 90?

Grilamid TR 90 is a transparent polyamide from EMS-Grivory used to make very light, flexible eyewear frames.

What makes Flexon different?

Flexon frames use memory metal in the bridge and temples so they bend and return to their original shape.

Is acetate the same as plastic injection frames?

Acetate frames are typically cut from sheet material, while injected frames are molded. The look, weight and adjustability can differ.

References

  • Laramy-K Optical. What is lens edging and finishing? (edge types and timing). Laramy-K
  • Mazzucchelli 1849. Cellulose acetate and bio-based materials for eyewear. Mazzucchelli
  • Silhouette. Brand and material information (titanium alloy, SPX+). Silhouette
  • LINDBERG. About LINDBERG. LINDBERG
  • Flexon. Flexible memory metal frames. Flexon
  • EMS-Grivory. Transparent polyamides for optics and eyewear. EMS-Grivory

The right frame makes the lens work

Match material and mounting to the prescription and the patient, and the rest of the order goes smoothly.

Explore frame brands Back to the optical guide

Brand and material names are trademarks of their respective owners. Characteristics are summarized from manufacturer information; confirm specifications with each supplier. Dispensing decisions rest with the eye care professional.