How to choose the most suitable frames: Types and characteristics of frames

After understanding the names and functions of each part of the frame glasses, we will understand the principle of why the glasses are designed in this style or that shape. Although glasses are becoming more and more popular as fashion accessories, for people who need to wear glasses for a long time, the respective characteristics of the material types of the frames are still one of the most important reference factors.

1. Metal full frame frames

Eyeglass frames with frames and temples made of metal materials are metal frames. There are also types where the entire frame is wrapped in plastic. The characteristics of metal frames are: the lenses are surrounded by metal, which has higher pressure resistance.

Mainly include the following categories:

1.1 Alloy frame

There are white copper (based on copper, mainly added with nickel, zinc, etc.), manganese-nickel (based on manganese, mainly added with nickel, etc.), high nickel (based on nickel, with added chromium, manganese, etc.), nickel-copper (based on nickel, etc.) Mainly, with the addition of alloy materials such as copper, etc., there are slight differences in physical and chemical properties such as strength and corrosion resistance.

Advantages: The material price is low (especially white copper) and the processing difficulty is low. Easy to adjust the frame.

Disadvantages: The adhesion of electroplating is poor, it is easy to corrode and rust, some people are allergic to metals, it is easy to be squeezed and deformed, and it is heavy.

1.2 Stainless steel frame

Basically, it is stamped and formed from thin sheets of stainless steel.

Advantages: Good flexibility, deformation resistance, light weight. The surface is IP electroplated and has strong durability.

Disadvantages: Cannot be adjusted. Lenses with high prescription are thicker and affect the appearance. Frames with spray-painted surfaces are prone to paint peeling and are not durable.

1.3 Titanium frame

When the titanium purity reaches more than 99%, the titanium metal material can be turned into pure titanium glasses. Frames made of pure titanium materials have excellent features such as high melting point, light weight, strong corrosion resistance, and strong electroplating layer, which can ensure the two important properties of the glasses frame: beauty and durability. Titanium is an ideal metal frame material.

Advantages: High strength, not easy to deform, but adjustable frame, not prone to metal allergies. After IP plating, it has high adhesion, high durability and light weight.

Disadvantages: Difficulty in processing, resulting in higher material prices.

1.4 Beta titanium frames

It can be understood as another molecular state of titanium material. Although the purity of beta titanium cannot be compared with that of pure titanium, its strength, fatigue resistance and environmental corrosion resistance are even better than those of pure titanium. It is widely used in frames with high elasticity requirements such as filament temples, nose bridges, and slim frames.

Advantages: Good flexibility, not easy to deform, light weight.

Disadvantages: Not suitable for people of higher heights. The front end of the frame is too heavy and easy to slide down. The lenses are too thick and affect the appearance and cannot be adjusted. The material price is high, the processing is difficult, and the price is high.

2. Frameless frames

As the name suggests, it is a frame without a frame part. There are only two places where the lens and the frame are connected, so it is also called a "two-point frame." It is characterized by being very lightweight, natural in appearance, and does not have much impact on a person's appearance. It can be made by just opening two small holes in the lens. However, it should be noted that there is no frame for protection, and the safety is weak. It is generally not necessary to use glass lenses to make them.

3. Half rim frames

The safety of frames with only the lower or upper half is between metal frames and rimless frames, and in most cases they cannot be made with glass lenses.

4. Plastic full frame frames

The main part of the frame is made of plastic material. The characteristic is that it is not easily deformed and can be designed with unlimited types of patterns. Another advantage of plastic frames is that they can be made with thicker edges and can wrap thicker lenses. The thin and light material will not put any burden on the nose and ears. It is the most commonly used frame among popular glasses types now.

Plastic frames are divided into injection molded Material frames and Plate frames

4.1 Injection molded material frames

The injection molding process is to melt plastic rice (currently mainly PC, plastic steel, TR) and inject it into the mold to cool and form.

The advantages are high dimensional stability of the entire batch, fast processing speed, and low overall cost.

The disadvantage is that most of them have been spray-painted on the surface, which is not wear-resistant and easy to fade, and the paint layer is easy to peel off.

Mainly include the following categories:

A. PC material frame

It is a material that was once called "space lens". If it exceeds 10mm, it is bulletproof glass.

Advantages: Lower material prices. Has some flexibility. Impact resistant (that's why they're called space lenses), cracked but not chipped.

Disadvantages: Surface painting is not environmentally friendly, and the paint layer is easy to peel off. Less comfortable and less durable. The frames cannot be adjusted to suit different face shapes.

B. TR material frames

Materials currently being used in large quantities. It has excellent flexibility and is also called "memory plastic".

Advantages: High material transparency. It has good flexibility, can accommodate the needs of different sizes, and is resistant to extrusion and trampling (it will break because of the addition of recycled materials). The texture is very light.

Disadvantages: The surface spraying treatment is not environmentally friendly, and the paint layer with poor spraying technology will peel off quickly (good ones take about 2 years). Because the elasticity is very good, the frame cannot be adjusted, and the softness of the frame also gives the lens master with poor skills the greatest tolerance, which means that poorly made lenses can easily be installed into the frame.

C. Plastic steel frame

Also known as tungsten titanium, it has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Advantages: Strength and surface hardness are better than TR. The flexibility is slightly lower than TR and higher than PC. Lightweight. Due to its high strength, it can make very slender circles, and can make ultra-thin frames that are closest to metal frames. Of course, there are not many companies that have mastered this technology. The surface paint layer has high adhesion.

Disadvantages: The surface has a matte texture and requires spray painting. The requirements for spray painting technology are very high. If the frame is not up to standard after spray painting, the frame will be easily brittle and broken.

D. Carbon fiber frames

Mainly used for decorative accessories and temples.

Advantages: Light texture, high strength, high temperature resistance, unique texture on the surface.

Disadvantages: Easy to break when bent greatly.

4.2 Glass frame made of sheet material

Pre-made into plate-shaped (about 5-8mm) raw materials, and then cut into the required frame or temple shape according to actual needs. 

Mainly include the following categories:

A. Cellulose acetate material

The most common board materials on the market, almost all board materials on the market are cellulose acetate.

Advantages: High surface hardness. No surface treatment is required, the texture is noble and wear-resistant. Appropriate comfort adjustments can be made according to different face sizes. It is a mature material commonly used in eyewear products of international clothing brands.

Disadvantages: The material is hard and the comfort is poor if not adjusted properly. Acidic materials cannot be used with PC lenses as they may cause the lenses to crack. heavier. It will return to flatness (because it is cut from a flat plate) and needs to be adjusted, and the temple legs need to be shaped with a copper core.

B. Seamani material

Advantages: The materials on the market are perfect for wrapping contents (real dried flowers in the form of sheets, stainless steel sheets, denim fabrics, lace, etc.), and the texture presented is more three-dimensional and layered. The surface is painted and electroplated, durable. The texture is lighter than cellulose acetate. The flexibility is also better than cellulose acetate. The frames can be adjusted to better fit your face.

Disadvantages: Surface hardness is lower than cellulose acetate. The surface texture is not as good as cellulose acetate.

If you have customized glasses needs, please contact the IFV customer service team:

Email: sales@ifvglasses.com

Skype: +86-13187098562

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