Cut resistance of Protective Gloves according to EN 388:2016 & TDM-100

The samples are cut with a counter rotating blade with an alternating movement and specific load.

• sampling area: palm of the glove
• linear movement of a rotating knife over the sample until the fabric is cut through
• introduction of reference material (typically cotton)
• altenration of sample and reference material until at least 5 results are registered
• loss of sharpness of te knife is compensated by cutting the reference material before and after the sample
• cut resistance is determined by the number of cycles needed to cut through the sample related to the reference material

The ISO 13997 cut resistance test has been added to the revised standard EN 388 to reckon with the novel materials (high performance fibres) for protective gloves.

• a fabric sample is fixed on a curved testing device and a force from beneath is applied
• the knife sharpness is calibrated after each completed cycle or when the knife has cut through the sample
• the cut-through is established when an electric contact is observed between the knife and the curved testing device
• if the sample contains any metallic yarns, a plastic film is placed between the testing device and the fabric to prevent electric contact initiated by the fabric
• the sample is submitted to a minimum of 20 cutting movements applied with variable forces
• the distance that is covered to cut through the material is measured
• the data are used to establish the force that is needed to cut through the fabric

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.

The labeling is expanded by an additional performance  level for “cut resistance” and for “impact resistance”, if applicable.