New frame materials offer lighter weight, increased durability

Issue: March 1998

TWINSBURG, Ohio - "When patients come into your shop or practice, they're often looking solely at frame colors, shapes and designer names," said Michael DiSanto, professional development director for Bell Optical Laboratory located here. "That's why dispensers have to be far more aware of the pros and cons of the frame materials - especially the new ones - they're working with and convey this information in layperson's terms to the eye wear consumer."

Metals seem to be where much of the spotlight is, with first-generation titanium and second-generation beta titanium well in the forefront.

"More and more manufacturers are picking up on these metals, which are light in weight, noncorrosive, very durable and hypoallergenic. And they fit in well with the consumer's or patient's desire for thinner, more delicate, jewelry-like styling," Mr. DiSanto said.

He claims that titanium "is approximately 40% lighter than traditional metals, and nickel is frequently used as a core metal, with titanium layered around it. If the nickel was not sealed inside, it might otherwise give the frame allergenic properties."

With beta titanium, titanium makes up a maximum of 75% of the alloy mix, estimates Mr. DiSanto, "so the end result not only boasts titanium's positive points but can be cut thinner than its predecessor. Frames made of titanium and beta titanium are among the most expensive types of metal frames you can buy," he said.

Clamor for bendable frames

Dan Bintz, OD, finds that Flexon Memory Metal frames by Marchon (Melville, N.Y.) move particularly well in his practice, despite the cost. Made of titanium and nickel, "these frames do well among my patients who work on farms and in oil fields. Patients find the temples don't corrode and their skin doesn't become irritated," he said.

"They come in asking for the bendable frames," said Dr. Bintz, "so I keep about 75 of them in a broad variety of styles in my inventory. When patients come back who have had titanium frames, they usually say their eye glasses `never felt this comfortable before' and that `the frames never had to be adjusted.' Most seem to understand the value they're getting for the high price tag."

Ion plating process

Systech, a firm that is using titanium in a growing percentage of its styles, lays claim to "100% pure titanium frames through its ion plating process," said John Edward Zimmerman, director of sales and operations.

Mr. Zimmerman noted that the "ion plating technology was discovered during the period of development of aerospace satellites in the United States, with the actual plating within the frame material itself rather than being a coating. The dry-method process leads to excellent adhesion, an extremely hard film, high corrosion-resistance against severe conditions and the elimination of allergenicity."

Beryllium is another frame material that is making headway among eye care practitioners, Mr. DiSanto added. "Because of beryllium's hardness, it is never used alone, except perhaps for a bridge. But add copper to it, and the resultant alloy has a springiness that approaches the flexibility of titanium as well as an appealingly thin profile," he said.

The downside for beryllium cum copper is that "its corrosion resistance is not up to the level of the titanium frames," he added, "and that springy nature makes adjustments more difficult."

Allen Vaughn, president of MultiFacets, lauds stainless steel for its light weight and "amazing flexibility and durability," but Laurie Pierce, ABOM, an instructor in the ophthalmic dispensing program at Hillsborough Community College, is quick to say that stainless steel frames are heavier and thicker than those made of titanium. "You can't get the array of colors that you can with titanium and the frames don't work well on people who have concerns about allergenicity," she said.

"Even though aluminum is lightweight as a frame material," Mr. DiSanto said, "it tends to be soft, and you generally can't get the thin gauges that are possible with titanium. It is fairly good in terms of its hypoallergenic properties, but pales next to titanium. And the resultant frame often has the tendency to be on the bulky side."

Mr. Vaughn also downplays the value of aluminum, saying it is not malleable and does not adjust well. "But I do see it as being useful for accenting frames, especially in the area of such appliqués as plaques," he said.

Plastics - handle with care

On the plastics front, Mr. DiSanto touted the light weight, adjustability and hypoallergenicity of the polyamides, but said the new plastics are much more heat-sensitive than the acetates.

"Zylonite materials are still the best plastics in terms of being workable materials," added Ms. Pierce. "The polyamides will not only burn, but they'll also shrink if they're dipped in a salt pan. The way to go with the new generation of plastics is to snap in the lenses cold."

In a concluding bit of advice to the dispenser working with the new types of plastic frames, Mr. DiSanto said, "You can't stretch the material or shrink the bridge. The margin for error is far less with the new plastics than it is for the acetates, so practitioners would be wise to spend more time with the patient at the selection process when the frame is comprised of the newer materials."

For Your Information:

Michael DiSanto can be reached at 9221 Ravenna Rd., Twinsburg, OH 44087; (800) 622-9008; fax: (330) 650-6649. Mr. DiSanto has no direct financial interest in any of the products mentioned in this article. He is a paid consultant for Essilor.

Dan Bintz, OD, can be contacted at 901 N. Main St., Elk City, OK 73648; (580) 243-1121; fax: (580) 243-1145. Dr. Bintz has no direct financial interest in any of the products mentioned in this article, nor is he a paid consultant for any companies mentioned.

John Edward Zimmerman can be reached at 105 Remington Blvd., Ronkonkoma, NY 11779; (800) 877-2020; fax: (800) 877-2038.

Allen Vaughn can be contacted at 339 American Circle, Corona, CA 91720; (800) 777-1409; fax: (904) 788-1938.

Laurie Pierce, ABOM, can be contacted at 4001 Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa, FL 33614; (813) 253-7000; fax: (813) 251-2751. Ms. Pierce has no direct financial interest in any of the products mentioned in this article, nor is she a paid consultant for any companies mentioned.