EN 388 2016 Test Results

EN 388:2016 Test Results


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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

EN388 Coupe Test Method

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.

  1. The coupe test is voluntary for materials which do not dull the blade.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

EN ISO 13997 TDM Test Method

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 = Cut Level A1)
B 5 - 9.9 (500 - 999g = Cut Level A2)
C 10-14.9 (1,020 - 1,529 g = Cut Level A3)
D 15 - 21.9 (1,530 - 2,242g = Cut Level A4)
E 22-29.9 (2,243 - 3,058g = Cut Level A5)
F 30 (3,059g+ = Cut Level 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.