Poly carbonate was developed during the “space race” of the late 1960’s. It was used for helmets and visors for astronauts. It was soon adapted for use in safety eye wear applications due to its impact resistance.
Ever since their appearance, they have become the standard lens material for children’s eye wear, sports goggles, and safety glasses.
Trivex was originally developed for the military, as visual armor. PPG Industries adapted the technology for the optical industry. Trivex is a urethane-based pre-polymer. Trivex lenses are very similar to polycarbonate lenses in terms of their thin and lightweight material, durability index and UV protection.
Trivex is better in terms of optical quality. Trivex material provides clear vision. It can be used for any activity like: working on the computer, driving or any sport. It allows light to pass through more directly without dispersing creating better vision unlike poly carbonate, which allows more light to bend through the lenses and creating a more distorted view through the lenses.
On weight, Trivex material, which is lighter than polycarbonate material, being even the lightest and most comfortable material used in the manufacture of lenses, that due to its lower density.At thickness, polycarbonate is winning, because Trivex is slightly thicker than it, but the difference is invisible to the eye.
Trivex material is resistant to external chemical agents while poly carbonate material is not. Trivex is also the better option for drill mounted lenses. It can be drilled successfully without cracking the material around drill holes. Poly carbonate can also be used for this type of frame but can crack around the drill holes creating a starburst effect around the holes.