Flexon is the trademark for a shape memory alloy

Shape memory alloy

A shape-memory alloy is an alloy that "remembers" its original, cold-forged shape: returning the pre-deformed shape by heating. This material is a lightweight, solid-state alternative to conventional actuators such as hydraulic, pneumatic, and motor-based systems...

 of titanium

Titanium

Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color....

 that is used to make eyeglass frames

Glasses

Glasses, also known as eyeglasses , spectacles or simply specs , are frames bearing lenses worn in front of the eyes. They are normally used for vision correction or eye protection. Safety glasses are a kind of eye protection against flying debris or against visible and near visible light or...

. The manufacturer claims this alloy has special properties that make it light and extremely flexible. The metal can be bent to a significant degree, and when released it will return to its original shape.

It was developed by The Beta Group and bought by Marchon Eyewear

Marchon Eyewear

Marchon Eyewear is a United States-based manufacturer and distributor of eyewear. Founded in 1983, the company's portfolio includes several licensed brands in addition to its own house brands...

 in 1995. It is also used in the Nike Vision

Nike Vision

Nike Vision is a sub-company of the Nike corporation which produces high quality, Italian made prescription eye-wear and sunglasses for the optical market. They use a product called Marchon Flexon, which is claimed to be the lightest, most flexible product for eye-wear. Nike Vision is well known...

product line.