Glasses frame types

Metal:

Consists of a number of different materials base metals (non precious), plating and organic coatings and plastic side tips and nose pads. Nickel commonly used

Plastic:

Made from various heated plastics, injection moulded to shape, skin reaction very rare, lightweight strong mechanically stable easily worked and relatively inert at room temp

Semi rimless (Nylon, Supra):

Uses either metal or plastic or both to make up the frame and lens is held in position by nylon cord part of frame is invisible, and thickness is important

Rimless:

No obvious frame, lenses in position with metal or plastic sides and bridge making for a less obvious pair of glasses. Thickness an issue

Titanium:

Considered to be hypo allergenic, lightweight half the weight of conventional metal frames, 3 times harder than gold plated frames. More flexible approx 20%

Nickel free:

A metal frame material suited to people with nickel allergies.

Stainless Steel:

Strong lightweight non corrosive, easily adjusted, not easily damaged, rarely causes skin irritation, it discolours easily when heated

Memory Metal:

8 times the flexibility of spring steel, corrosion and tarnish resistant