Plastic frames are great for color and multicolor frames.  However they are easier to break than most metal frames.  Aging and sunlight exposure will decrease their strength.  The following materials are considered plastic frames:

 

 

(zylonite or cellulose acetate) - Cost effective lightweight, hypoallergenic frame material available in a variety of colors and shapes.

 

 

 

Nylon-based plastic that is hypoallergenic.  It is lightweight, and has a different look and feel than other plastics

 

 

 

Strong and lightweight.  Sport and performance frames (typically made of gliamides) are resistant to hot and cold, more flexible-yet stiff.  Popular for wraps and other hard to produce shapes.

 

 

 

 

A lightweight, relatively strong metallic chemical element, highly resistant to oxidation, used in ophthalmic frame construction; can be anodized to yield a variety of colors

Made of a mixture of any of a broad range of materials.  It is the most widely used material for frames being used today.  It is malleable, and can be made corrosion-resistant.  A special nickel free coating needs to be used to make corrosion-resistant.

Lightweight, Low toxicity, and strong, many are nickel free, and therefore hypoallergenic. Stainless steel is readily available and reasonably priced. It's an alloy of steel and chromium; most stainless steels contain anywhere from 10 to 30 percent chromium, which imparts an excellent resistance to corrosion, abrasion and heat.

 

 

 

many metal frames are nickel alloy, low cost and durable, but may cause allergic reaction.

 

 

Alloy made of nickel and silver

Strong, durable, lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and available in various colors. Some titanium frames are made of an alloy with other metals such as copper or Nickel.  Titanium frames are generally more expensive than other metal frames.

 

 

 

Lightweight alloy with titanium base, aka "memory metal", that retains shape and is hypoallergenic and resists corrosion.