The Hybrid Advantage: Merging Flexibility with Structural Refinement

TR90 optical glasses with metal temples represent a sophisticated hybrid design in the eyewear industry, strategically combining the best properties of two distinct material families to optimize performance, comfort, and aesthetics. The front frame, or chassis, is constructed from TR90 (Grilamid), a high-performance nylon-based polymer celebrated for its extreme flexibility, feather-light weight, and high resistance to stress and temperature. The temples, however, are crafted from metal—typically stainless steel, beta-titanium, or aluminum alloy—introducing structural rigidity, a premium tactile feel, and precise adjustability. This fusion creates a product that is greater than the sum of its parts: a frame that is comfortable and durable for all-day wear, yet possesses the sleek, refined lines and hinge integrity often associated with higher-end metal eyewear.

The Material Synergy: Why This Combination Works

Each material is chosen for its zone-specific performance:

TR90 Front Frame (The Flexible Core):

Ultra-Lightweight: Reduces pressure on the nose and ears, a critical factor for comfort, especially with higher-index prescription lenses.

Shape Memory & Flexibility: Can be twisted and bent significantly without breaking, making it highly durable for active lifestyles and resistant to accidental sitting or dropping. It comfortably accommodates different facial widths through gentle flex.

Hypoallergenic: Ideal for sensitive skin.

Metal Temples (The Structural Spine):

Rigidity and Precise Fit: Provides stable, secure anchoring behind the ears. Metal temples can be accurately and incrementally adjusted by an optician (bent inward/outward, upward/downward) to achieve a custom, non-slip fit that flexible plastic temples cannot always maintain.

Aesthetic Refinement: Offers slim, architectural lines, brushed or polished finishes, and the ability to incorporate intricate hinge designs (e.g., spring hinges) that are challenging to implement in pure plastic.

Durability at Stress Points: The hinge area, a common failure point, benefits from metal's strength. Metal-core hinges or metal inserts in the TR90 endpiece dramatically enhance longevity.

Manufacturing and Assembly: Bridging the Material Divide

The key engineering challenge is creating a secure, permanent, and aesthetically seamless bond between the polymer front and the metal temples. This is achieved through advanced overmolding or mechanical interlocking during the injection molding process.