EN 388:2016 - Protective Gloves Against Mechanical Risks

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According to this standard, characteristics such as abrasion resistance, cut resistance, tearing strength, puncture resistance, and impact protection are tested. In conjunction with the pictogram, four numbers and one, or two letters, will be displayed. These signs indicate the performance of the glove.

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EN388
1234BP

  • Abrasion Resistance

  • Cut Resistance, Coup Test

  • Tearing Strength

  • Puncture Resistance

  • Cut Resistance, TDM Test ISO 13997

  • Impact Protection

Abrasion Resistant

The material is subjected to abrasion by sandpaper under a determined pressure.
The protection level is indicated on a scale of 1 to 4 depending on the number of turns required until a hole appears in the material. The higher the number is, the better the resistance to abrasion.

A

0 - 4

MARTINDALE'S Test

According to ISO 12947-1 pressure on SPECIMEN (9.0+/-0,2) KPA
 

Levels

1

2

3

4

Cycles

100

500

2000

8000

Cut Resistant, Coup Test

The cut protection is tested. A knife is passed over the glove material until it cuts through. The protection level is given by a number between 1 and 5, where 5 indicates the highest cut protection. If the material dulls the knife during this test, the cut test ISO 13997(TDM test) shall be performed instead, see point E.

B

0 - 5

Blade Cut Test

Circular blade, mass applied in force 5 N horizontal movement 5mm blade rotates 360°

Levels

1

2

3

4

5

Cycles

1.2

2.5

5.0

10.0

20.0

The force required to tear the glove material apart is measured. The protection level is indicated by a number between 1 and 4, where 4 indicates the strongest material.

C

0 - 4

Tearing Strength

TestileTest

Compression tool according to EN ISO 7500-1 20mm of each pre-cut defined strip.
Tearing force is recorded on A X-Y recorder

Levels

1

2

3

4

Cycles

10

25

50

75

Based on the amount of force required to puncture the material with a tip. The protection function is indicated by a number between 1 and 4, where 4 indicates the strongest material.

D

0 - 4

Puncture Resistance

Steel Stylus Test

Compression tool according to EN ISO 7500-1 fore exerted by a steel stylus
Not to be confused with piercing by needles

Levels

1

2

3

4

Cycles

20

60

100

150

If the knife gets dull during the coup test, see point B, this test shall be performed instead. The result is given by a letter, A to F, where F indicates the highest level of protection. If any of these letters is given, this method determines the protection level instead of the coup test.

ISO 13997:1999
Determination of resistance to cutting by sharp objects
An alternative cut test is recommended for cut protection gloves. Shall be used in EN388:2016 for cut protection gloves where the cut material dulls the cutting knife during testing. A knife cuts with constant speed but increasing force until the breakthrough of the cut protection material. Level of protection is given in Newton, the force needed for cut through at 20mm cut length.

E

A - F

Cut Resistance, TDM Test ISO 13997

TDM Cut Test

According to ISO 13997:1999 plain blade with different cutting loads
Reference test
Method if the blade was dulled during the blade cut test

Levels

Cycles

A

B

C

D

E

D

2

5

10

15

22

30

If the glove has impact protection, this information is given by the letter P as the 6th and last sign. If no P sign, no impact protection is claimed.

F

Impact Protection

The test is carried out according to EN 13594:2015 with an impact energy of 5J.
If the glove passed this test it is marked with a "P", If not the product  is not intended to be used for impact protection