EN 388 2016 Test Results
EN 388:2016 Test Results
ABRASION
Sandpaper is rotated against glove material under a determined pressure level. The protection level is indicated on a scale of 1 to 4 based on the number of turns that happen before a hole appears in the material. Higher number ratings mean that the material is more resistant to abrasion.
| Levels | Number of Turns |
| 0 | <100 |
| 1 | 100 |
| 2 | 500 |
| 3 | 2,000 |
| 4 | 8,000 |
COUPE CUT TEST
Due to the inaccurate test results that the EN 388 coupe test results produced, the current revision, ISO 13997, incorporates the TDM cut test for materials of high cut resistance.
- The coupe test is voluntary for materials which do not dull the blade.
- For products that dull the coupe test blade (common if enhanced with steel or fiberglass), the TDM test is mandatory eith in addition to the coupe test OR as the only test.
- If the coupe test is not performed, the area designated for the coupe test results will show an "X".
Blade is tested for sharpness on cotton reference fabric at the beginning of the test.
Counter-rotating blade slices sample under constant pressure of 5 newtons until the blade breaks through the tested material.
Blade is tested for sharpness on cotton reference fabric at the end of the test.
Cut index is calculated from tested sample
The average of the 5 tests signifies the cut level results.
| Levels | Minimum Cut Index |
| 1 | 1.2 |
| 2 | 2.5 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 4 | 10 |
| 5 | 20 |
If the sample dulls the blade of the coupe test, the TDM test is mandatory.
TEAR
The force required to tear the glove material apart is measured. The protection level is indicated on a scale of 1 to 4 , with 4 being the strongest material.
| Levels | Calculated Rating Force (Newton's) |
| 0 | <10 |
| 1 | 10 |
| 2 | 25 |
| 3 | 50 |
| 4 | 75 |
PUNCTURE
The puncture resistance is based on the force required to puncture the material with a tip. The puncture resistance is indicated on a scale of 1 to 4, where 4 indicates the most puncture resistant material.
| Levels | Calculated Rating Force (Newton's) |
| 0 | <20 |
| 1 | 20 |
| 2 | 60 |
| 3 | 100 |
| 4 | 150 |
TDM CUT TEST
Straight blade is loaded onto machine for each cut.
Blade travels 20mm across sample.
Sample is tested 15 times with various pressures.
The average of 5 tests is calculated to determine the rating in the EN letter rating.
The average of the 5 tests signifies the cut level results
| Level | Calculated Rating Force (Newton's) |
| A | 2 - 4.9 (204 - 508g = ANSI A1) |
| B | 5 - 9.9 (500 - 999g = ANSI A2) |
| C | 10-14.9 (1,020 - 1,529 g = ANSI A3) |
| D | 15 - 21.9 (1,530 - 2,242g = ANSI A4) |
| E | 22-29.9 (2,243 - 3,058g = ANSI A5) |
| F | 30 (3,059g+ = ANSI A6) |
IMPACT
Impact testing is optional. If the glove has as an impact protection, the information is given by the letter P. If there is no letter P on the EN 388 rating then no impact protection is claimed.
