Memory Metal Glasses

Memory Metal Glasses: Durable, Flexible, and Lightweight Frames

Published on December 9th 2024

Updated on December 20th, 2024

Memory metal glasses refer to glasses made with shape-memory alloy, a type of material that allows the glasses to be bent or twisted lightly, then return back to their original shape. Memory metal eyeglasses are designed to be slightly more durable and flexible than frames made from other materials, but they are not unbreakable, and shouldn't be treated like a toy. Keep reading to learn more about memory metal glasses and if they are the right frame for you.

What are Memory Metal Glasses?

Memory metal glasses are a type of glasses made from specialised materials that give the glasses the ability to bend or twist slightly then return back to their original shape. Memory metal glasses are typically made from a shape-memory alloy material and can be good for those who need a durable, more flexible and lightweight frame than those made from other materials such as acetate. Oscar Wylee has a range of memory metal frames available as part of our Memory Twist collection. At Oscar Wylee, certain parts of our memory metal frames are made from a titanium alloy. Memory metal glasses are not suitable for those with a nickel allergy.

A person wearing Oscar Wylee memory metal glasses.
A person wearing Oscar Wylee memory metal glasses.

Are Memory Metal Frames Unbreakable?

No, memory metal frames are not unbreakable. Memory metal frames are designed to be flexible eyeglasses, with the ability to bounce back into shape if bent or twisted lightly. Memory metal frames are not designed to be unbreakable, and if twisted or bent too far or too roughly will break or be damaged. Memory metal frames are designed to have increased flexibility and durability, but they are not toys to be played with.

Which Parts of Memory Metal Frames are Twisty?

The parts of memory metal frames that are twisty are usually the nose bridge and the temples. The rest of a memory metal frame, such as the rims and temple tips, are typically made from other materials.

How does Memory Metal Maintain Frame Shape?

Memory metal frames are able to maintain their shape after light bending or twisting, due to the shape-memory alloy material they are made with. Shape memory alloy (SMA) is a type of metal material that is used in robotics and medical devices that can bend or twist lightly, and return to its original shape.

A piece of memory metal being bent, then returning to its original shape.
A piece of memory metal being bent, then returning to its original shape.

What Makes Memory Metal Glasses Lightweight and Durable?

What makes memory metal glasses lightweight and durable is their material. Memory metal glasses are typically made, to some degree, from shape-memory alloy (SMA) which is the material that allows these glasses to be bent or twisted slightly, and then return to their original shape.

Are Memory Metal Glasses Suitable for Active Lifestyles?

Memory metal glasses may be suitable for people who have more active lifestyles, however, there may be better alternatives if someone is playing a lot of sports, such as sports sunglasses or even contact lenses. Memory metal glasses are designed to be bent or twisted slightly and return back to their original shape. This means if someone is busy or active, or even has kids that like to grab their glasses, these frames may be able to withstand some everyday life wear and tear. However, for those who are playing sports, glasses specifically designed to withstand impact may be a better choice. Contact lenses may also be a good choice for those who are playing sports and don’t want to break their glasses. Oscar Wylee does not sell contact lenses, however, we do have a range of sports sunglasses called The OW Active Collection.

Why are Memory Metal Glasses a Popular Choice for Flexibility?

Memory metal glasses are a popular choice when it comes to frame flexibility as they have the ability to lightly bend and twist more than the typical frame made from other materials such as acetate. This flexibility can help to reduce the risk of damage that can come from accidental dropping or pressure put on the frame, making them more durable to everyday wear and tear than some other frames.

How do Memory Metal Frames Enhance Comfort for Daily Use?

Memory metal frames enhance comfort for daily use due to their lightweight nature. This makes them easy to wear for long periods of time without causing too much strain or fatigue. Their flexibility prevents pinching or pressure points as the frames can adapt to your face contours. Memory metal glasses contain ergonomic designs such as flexible temples which further improve the more personalised fit.

Are Memory Metal Glasses Ideal for Prescription Eyewear?

Memory metal glasses are an ideal frame for prescription eyewear as they can support various lens types including lenses with a prescription. Memory metal frames can function as both prescription glasses and non-prescription glasses, capable of holding both types of lenses, as well as add-ons such as high-index and blue light filters. At Oscar Wylee, we have a collection of memory metal frames called the Memory Twist collection, all of which can be made into both prescription and non-prescription eyewear.

Why are Memory Metal Glasses Perfect for Travelers and Outdoor Activities?

Memory metal glasses are a good choice for travelers and outdoor activities due to their increased durability and flexibility. The flexibility of memory metal frames makes them less likely to break due to accidental drops, a good choice when travelling or being in harsher outdoor environments.

How Long-Lasting are Memory Metal Glasses Compared to Traditional Frames?

Memory metal glasses are not necessarily more long-lasting when compared to traditional frames. Whilst memory metal can be more flexible and durable than frames made from traditional materials, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be more long-lasting. Much of the longevity of frames is down to how well a person looks after them. Ensuring glasses are put back in a case when not in use are important to make sure they are not broken and prolonging longevity. Keeping glasses clean is also important to longevity. Whilst memory metal glasses are flexible they are not toys and shouldn't be treated as unbreakable.

What Innovations Make Memory Metal Eyewear Stand Out?

Shape-memory alloy is the innovative material that makes memory metal eyewear stand out among other glasses materials. Shape-memory alloy is the material in memory metal glasses that allows them to retain their shape after light bending or twisting. Shape-memory alloy is not a material that is found in another type of glasses.

How to Choose the Best Memory Metal Glasses for Your Needs?

The way to choose the best memory metal glasses for your eye care needs is to consider face shape, face size and personal style. Like glasses made from other materials, memory metal glasses can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, available in both prescription and non-prescription, suitable for a range of eyecare needs. Some of the steps to choosing the best memory metal glasses for your needs are listed below.

  1. Consider face shape: Considering face shape is an important step in choosing the best memory metal glasses, or any glasses, for your eye care needs. There are several types of face shapes including square, round, pear and diamond. Certain glasses will suit certain face shapes better than others. For example, round glasses will suit square faces well, as the curves add softness and dimension to this face shape.
  2. Consider face size: Considering face size is another important step in choosing the best memory metal glasses. Like face shapes, there are certain glasses that will suit certain face sizes better than others. For example, those with larger faces will suit equally large frames well, as these will bring balance to the face. If a person with a larger face wears glasses that are too small, these can make the face look larger than it is.
  3. Consider personal style: Considering personal style is an important step in choosing memory metal glasses. Whilst picking frames that are complimentary to your face shape and face size are important, it is equally important that a person picks a frame they are comfortable in and best represents their personal style, even if it doesn’t fully meet those requirements.

What are the Main Features and Benefits of High-Quality Memory Metal Glasses?

The main features and benefits of high-quality memory metal glasses include their flexibility, durability and lightweight feel. The main features of high-quality memory metal glasses are listed below.

  • Flexibility: Flexibility is the key feature of memory metal glasses. Memory metal glasses are designed to be more flexible than other glasses, returning to their original shape after light bending or twisting.
  • Durability: Durability is another main feature of memory metal glasses. The flexibility of shape-memory alloy means it can withstand slight twisting or bending in a way that frames made from other materials, such as acetate, would not be able to.
  • Lightweight: A Lightweight feel is one of the main features of memory metal glasses. Shape memory alloy, which is the material most memory glasses are made from, is a lightweight material.