Introduction
• Trend to engineered yarns and new technologies lead to significantly improved performance in cut protective gloves
• Existing standards are not designed for measuring and classifying the performance of highly cut resistant PPE/gloves
• Globally different standards and concepts are used for determination of performance
• ASTM F 1790 Standard test method for Measuring Cut Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing
• ISO 13997 Protective Clothing – Mechanical Properties – Determination of resistance to cutting by sharp objects
• EN 388 Protective Gloves against Mechanical Risks
• Need for revision of standards to follow the trends of the protective glove market
ANSI/ISEA 105 - 16
American National Standard for Hand Protection Classification
• Voluntary industry standard
• Classification and testing of hand protection for chemical and industrial application
• Performance levels for different properties based on standardized test methods (American Society for Testing and Materials and European Norm)
ANSI/ISEA 105 - 16 Classification of:
• Mechanical protection
• Cut resistance
• Puncture resistance (hypodermic needle)
• Abrasion resistance
• Chemical protection
• Chemical permeation resistance
• Chemical degradation resistance
• Heat and Flame Protection
• Ignition resistance and burning behavior
• Heat degradation resistance
• Conductive heat resistance
• Vibration reduction
• Dexterity
ANSI/ISEA 105-16 Mechanical Protection
Cut protection
ASTM F 1790 ASTM F2992
ANSI/ISEA 105 – 16 Mechanical Protection
ASTM F2992
• Tomo Dynamo Meter – 100 tester
• Load vs. distance concept
• Cut resistance defined as load (g)/
reference distance 20 mm
Blade
Weight
Specimen
Sample holder
Force Force
ANSI/ISEA 105-16 Mechanical Protection
LOAD (GRAMS) LEVEL
< 200 0
201 - 499 1
500- 999 2
1000 -1499 3
1500 - 3499 4
> 3500 5
LOAD (GRAMS) LEVEL
< 200 --
201 - 499 A1
500 - 999 A2
1000 - 1499 A3
1500 - 2199 A4
2200 - 2999 A5
3000 - 3999 A6
4000 - 4999 A7
5000 - 5999 A8
> 6000 A9
ANSI/ISEA 105-16
New
classification
levels
Cut protection
ASTM
F2992
ANSI/ISEA 105-11
```
ANSI/ISEA 105-16 Mechanical Protection
Puncture resistance • EN 388: 2003 Puncture resistance (other than hypodermic needles)
• New: ASTM F 2878 -10 resistance against a 25G hypodermic needle
ANSI/ISEA 105 Mechanical Protection
Hypodermic needle
Performance level
N LEVEL
< 2 0
> 2 1
> 4 2
> 6 3
> 8 4
> 10 5
Performance level
N LEVEL
< 10 0
> 10 1
> 20 2
> 60 3
> 100 4
> 150 5
Probe
Puncture test EN 388 Puncture test ASTM F 2878
Revison EN 388: 2016 Protective gloves against mechancial risks
European regulations
• PPE in Europe needs to be marked according to the relevant standards e.g. EN 388
• Testing needs to be done by an accredited testing facility
• EN standards are valid throughout the EU and are often globally recognized
• Used pictograms are for example
EN388 ABCD
EN407 ABCDEF
EN1149-5 2008
EN 388 Cut resistance testing
• Coupe Tester
• Blade is loaded with a constant force of 5 N and moved with a constant speed
• Cut resistance defined as lowest average cut index
Blade
Force
Sample Holder
5 N
New blade Used blades
(after testing glass filament reinforced yarns)
SEM pictures show the degradation of the blade of the Coupe Tester by a glass filament reinforced
yarn. This degradation is impacting the cut test results. Therefore additionally the cut test
according to ISO 13997 (TDM test) was introduced.
EN 388 Cut resistance testing with Coupe Tester
EN 388 vs. ISO 13997
ISO 13997 only
recommended for highly
cut resistant materials
ISO 13997 as alternative or
additional test method
EN 388: 2003
CUT INDEX LEVEL
1,2 1
2,5 2
5 3
10 4
20 5
EN 388: 2016-5
N LEVEL
> 13 N 4
> 23 N 5
CUT INDEX LEVEL
1,2 1
2,5 2
5 3
10 4
20 5
N LEVEL
2 A
5 B
10 C
15 D
22 E
30 F
EN 388 - classification of cut resistance
Revision EN 388:2016 - Protective gloves against mechancial risks
The new standard is introducing as additional protection impact resistance
• Testing and classification according to EN 13594:2015(Protective gloves for motorcycle riders – Requirements and test methods)
• According to EN 388:2016 the gloves have to fulfill the requirements of protection level 1
IMPACT RESISTANCE PROTECTION LEVEL 1 PROTECTION LEVEL 2
Single result ≤ 9,0 kN ≤ 5,0 kN
Average force ≤ 7,0 kN ≤ 4,0 kN
Revision EN 388:2016 - changes of pictogram
2443E EN 388
2 4 4 3 E
2342X EN 388:2016
LEVEL
Abrasion 2
Cut (Coupe test) 3
Tear 4
Puncture 2
2342 EN 388:2003
* Additional protection
LEVEL
Abrasion 2
Cut (Coupe test) 3
Tear 4
Puncture 2
Cut (TDM) X
Impact resistance
Revision EN 388:2016 - changes of pictogram
3443EP EN 388:2016
LEVEL
Abrasion 3
Cut (Coupe test 4
Tear 4
Puncture 3
3443 EN 388:2003
* Additional protection
LEVEL
Abrasion 3
Cut (Coupe test 4
Tear 4
Puncture 3
Cut (TDM) E
Impact resistance P
Revision EN 388:2016 - changes of pictogram
Teijin Aramid solutions for cut protection
1.50
Typical yarn cross section
The benefit for the end user is a
longer lasting, more comfortable
product with maximum protective
properties.
Teijin promotes a finer 1.5 denier Twaron fiber for use in protective gloves compared to 2.25 denier fiber commonly used in the market. A coarse fiber of 2.25 denier is stiffer compared to Twaron 1.5 denier fiber. To compensate for this, 2.25 denier para-aramid yarns are often spun having less twist which could result in a weaker yarn. The finer staple fiber in combination with a higher twist produces a tighter yarn bundle.
More comfort combined with maximum protection
2.25
Due to its patented manufacturing
process Twaron is showing less
change of color after UV
exposure. This visual perception
builds confidence of inherent
quality and performance
characteristics.
Maximum color retention, minimal UV degradation
Effect of exposure to UV light (Xenontester)
for 48 hours constant exposure
after exposure
common para-Aramid
before exposure
after exposure
TWARON
before exposure
Thermal characteristics of Twaron
• Does not burn
• Does not melt or drip
• Decomposing starts at 450°C/ 842°F
• Has low heat shrinkage
• Retains dimensional stability at high temperatures
• Release little smoke under extreme conditions
Comparative study cut resistance
Comparative study by ASTM (ASTM F 1790-97) medium-heavy weight gloves 450 g/m ²
Characteristics of most common glove materials
PRODUCT HEAT RESISTANCE CUT RESISTANCE ABRASION RESISTANCE
Cotton + ++ +
Leather +++ + ++
Nylon (Polyamide) ++ ++ +++
Polyethylene (UHMW-PE) + +++ ++++
Polyester ++ + +
Twaron® (para-Aramid) ++++ ++++ +++
If a combination of heat, cut and abrasion resistance is required, para-aramid such as Twaron® is the choice material
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