Abstract Composite resin-retained appliances are susceptible to failure at the resin-metal interface. The objective of this study was to evaluate bond strengths of perforated and electrolytically etched framework designs by subjecting them to tensile and shear loading. Shear bond strengths were always higher than tensile bond strengths. Etched castings were consistently stronger than perforated designs. Castings that were both perforated and etched were stronger in tension than all other retentive designs.