Different types of plastic frame and its advantages

Friday, September 11th, 2009 at 1:42 pm Post in Eyeglasses

Plastic was the most revolutionary material in the 20th century, and soon became the major material in the eyewear industry. Plastic frame was gaining popularity due to its wide variety of colors, textures and styles. The easy molding of plastic makes it possible to produce any kind of complicated styles if plastic glasses frame.

There are many kinds of plastic materials that can be used to make plastic frame. The most common and inexpensive plastic frame is made of zyl, also called zylonite or cellulose acetate. Plastic glasses frame in zyl is pretty lightweight and can be easily adjusted. Currently very popular styles of plastic glasses frame is the laminated zyl frame mixed with a couple of layers of colors.

The second material is cellulose proprionate. Plastic frame in this nylon-based material is lightweight and easily molded for any styles. Special attention needs to pay to the heating when adjusting the plastic frame. Overheating this type of plastic frame may cause shrinkage and be damaged.

Kevlar is another material researched and developed by DuPot. Once used in the military bulletproof vest, Kevlar is impact-resistant and very strong. Plastic frame in Kevlar are mostly used in sports glasses.

Plastic glasses frame made of nylon started from 1940s. Nylon was developed because the early plastic glasses frame is crispy and easily breakable. Nylon plastic glasses frame is high in strength and light in weight, and is resistant to extreme high and cold temperature, therefore is also good for sports.

The optyle is a special plastic material, which is lighter and stronger than zyl. Plastic frame made of optyle is similar to memory metal frame which can be restored to the molded shape, Adjustments to this type of plastic frame is difficult and care should be taken to overheat which may ruin the frame.