TR90 vs Acetate vs Metal: Which Frame Material Fits Your Brand Positioning?
Choosing the right frame material is a positioning decision as much as a technical one. Below we compare TR90, acetate and metal (stainless/monel and titanium options) by weight, durability, hand‑feel, and finish — with hardware/finish pairings, cost & lead time bands, sampling tips, and audience fit. Keywords included: TR90, acetate, metal frames, OEM sunglasses, frame materials, PC frames, bio‑acetate, titanium, frame weight, durability, hand‑feel, premium finish.
1) Material Comparison (Weight · Durability · Hand‑feel · Look)
| Attribute | TR90 (Nylon/Grilamid) | Acetate (Cellulose Acetate / Bio‑acetate) | Metal (Stainless/Monel; Titanium note) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Very light; flexible. Comparable or lighter than PC frames. | Medium; solid feel. Heavier in thick fashion profiles. | Stainless/monel: medium; Titanium: ultra‑light. |
| Durability | High impact/strain resistance; great for sport and kids. | Good structural strength but can chip if mishandled; requires proper polishing. | Very good; hinges & solder/weld joints are critical QC points. |
| Hand‑feel | Soft‑touch, slightly elastic; comfort in daily wear. | Warm, premium hand‑feel; can be adjusted/reshaped with heat. | Cool, crisp feel; titanium offers refined, barely‑there comfort. |
| Look / Finish Potential | Matte/soft‑touch, translucent tints; limited high‑gloss depth vs acetate. | Deep gloss, rich tortoise/laminations, custom patterns; premium finish leader. | Polished, brushed, bead‑blasted, plated or PVD colors; razor‑thin profiles. |
| Design Window | Best for wrap, sport, thin‑rim, integrated nose pieces. | Best for bold fashion shapes, layered laminations, custom temples. | Best for classic wire, double‑bridge, rimless/semi‑rimless, ultra‑thin. |
| Allergy / Sustainability | Good skin tolerance. Check additives & coatings per market. | Bio‑acetate options (plant‑based) available; good eco story. | Titanium is nickel‑free; stainless/monel need hypoallergenic plating. |
| Notes | Injection‑molded; color runs are efficient at volume. | Block‑sheet milling + hand‑polish; color/texture consistency is key. | Titanium requires specialized welding; plating/PVD thickness control matters. |
Related product pages: Products — Acetate · Products — Metal
2) Hardware & Surface Finishes
TR90
- Hinges: integrated spring hinges or metal core with screws; stainless pins for durability.
- Finishes: matte/soft‑touch, rubberized coatings, translucent or solid tints.
- Lenses: PC or nylon lenses pair well for weight and impact resistance.
Acetate
- Hinges: 3‑ to 7‑barrel hinges; premium options with riveted hardware.
- Finishes: deep gloss after tumbling & hand‑polish; multi‑layer laminations and custom tortoise patterns.
- Details: visible core wire in temples; logo inlays; custom bevels for premium finish.
Metal
- Hinges: soldered/welded joints; flex/spring hinges common on stainless/monel; titanium requires precision welding.
- Finishes: electroplating or PVD (durability leader), brushed, bead‑blast, two‑tone accents.
- Nose pads: adjustable pads (silicone or TPR) for fit; rimless uses compression bushings.
General manufacturing best practices: sme.org
3) Cost & Lead Time Bands
Actuals vary by design complexity, finishing stack and order size. Use the relative bands below to align with brand positioning.
| Material | Tooling Complexity | Unit Cost Band (Relative) | Sampling Speed | Mass Production Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TR90 | Injection molds (initial investment) | Low → Medium | Fast | Fast once molded |
| Acetate | Cutting/milling + long polish cycles | Medium → High (premium finishes) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Metal (Stainless/Monel) | Stamping/brazing + plating/PVD | Medium | Moderate | Moderate → Fast (simple wires) |
| Titanium | Precision welding; stricter QC | High (premium tier) | Moderate | Moderate |
Explore materials: Acetate Catalog · Metal Catalog · New Arrivals
4) Sampling Tips & Common Pitfalls
TR90
- Color consistency: confirm molded color chips under D65 light; avoid batch‑to‑batch drift.
- Flow/knit lines: review gates and polish; specify acceptable level on inside surfaces.
- Fit: control temple opening angle and return force for comfort.
Acetate
- Sheet selection: lock supplier/lot for repeats (tortoise & laminations can vary).
- Polish schedule: ensure tumbling and hand‑buffing times for true premium finish.
- Heat adjustability: confirm bridge/temple adjust protocol to avoid whitening or warpage.
Metal
- Joint integrity: pull‑tests on solder/welds; check hinge screw torque specs.
- Plating/PVD thickness: define minimums and abrasion benchmarks; salt‑spray if needed.
- Nickel release: for sensitive markets, specify compliant finishing stacks.
Need a sampling checklist or to discuss OEM sunglasses? Contact Us.
5) Use‑Cases & Audience Fit
| Brand Scenario | Best‑fit Material | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Performance / Sport / Kids | TR90 | Lightweight, flexible, impact‑friendly; comfortable long wear. |
| Premium Fashion / Rich Hand‑feel | Acetate | Deep gloss, color depth, adjustable fit; premium finish story. |
| Classic / Minimal / Ultra‑thin | Metal (Stainless/Monel) or Titanium | Clean profiles, adjustable pads; titanium for ultra‑light premium. |
| Eco Narrative | Bio‑acetate; recycled metal | Lower fossil input; sustainability messaging. |
| Price‑Sensitive OEM Launch | TR90 or simple stainless wires | Efficient tooling amortization and fast scale‑up. |
Ready to choose?
Contact Us for material swatches and sampling windows. Browse New Arrivals, or jump to products: Acetate · Metal.
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