GESTER Machines For EN388 2016: Protective Gloves Against Mechanical Risks

EN 388: 2016 Overview

EN 388 is one of the most common European standards for testing protective gloves against mechanical risks in general industry applications.

EN 388 includes four performance tests: abrasion resistance, blade cut resistance, tear resistance, and puncture resistance.

The performance of the glove is graded in accordance with four or five performance levels. The end user is then able to select a glove with a performance level profile that suits a particular work activity. So for example, a glove could be performance level 4 for abrasion but level 1 for tearing (in European standards the higher the number, the greater the protection).

Testing for EN 388: 2016

Sampling and conditioning

GESTER Equipment: GT-C52 Programmable Temperature & Humidity Test Chamber
Capacity: 80L or 150L (pls choose one)
Humidity range: 20%~98%
Temperature range: -20~150°C
Power Supply: 1∮ AC 220V 50/60HZ
Standard Accessories: Operation Video, Certificate of quality, English operation manual.


Abrasion
Samples are cut from the palm of a glove and rubbed against an abrasive paper using a “Martindale” type abrasion machine. The number of cycles for the samples to hole is measured. The level of protection is expressed in grades 1 to 4 and depends on the number of revolutions required before a hole appears in the material. The higher the number, the better the abrasion resistance.

GT-KC13B Martindale Abrasion Tester Conforms to EN388 standard.
Testing position: 4
Control mode: PLC control and touchscreen display
Standard Accessories: Abrasion Weight and Holder (1Set), Pilling Weight and Holder (1 Set), Standard Abradents Fabric (2 pcs/head), Standard Backing Foam 38mm (60pcs), Standard Woven Felt Discs 140mm (2 pcs/head), Standard Woven Felt Discs 90mm (2 pcs/head), Photographs (Copy one), Sample cutting template (D 38/90/140mm, each 1pc), Pressing Weight (1pc), Bowl shape sample loader (1pc), Steel ball (3pcs), Power line (1pc), English manual, Certificate of quality.


Blade Cut
Samples are taken from the palm of a glove and the number of cycles to cut through the full thickness of the test sample by a circular rotating blade is recorded. Blade sharpness will vary and is assessed by using the cut test machine to cut through a standard reference fabric. The cut resistance of the glove is based on a relative index that compares the number of cycles to cut through the glove when compared with the standard fabric. Five performance levels are defined in EN 388 ranging from level 1 = Cut index > 1.2 to Level 5 = Cut index > 20.

GT-KC29 Safety Glove & Shoe Upper Cutting Tester
Stroke: 50 mm
Load: 50±0.5 N
Specimen holder: 2 sets
Circular blade: Diameter 45±0.5mm, Thickness 0.3mm, Cutting angle 30°~35°
Max. Cutting Speed: 10 cm/s linear speed
Counter: LCD display, 0-99,999,999
Power Supply: AC220V 50/60HZ
Standards: EN 388 section 6.2, ISO 20344 section 6.14, GB/T 20991 section 6.14, AQ 6102 section 4.3.2, AS/NZS 2210.2 section 6.14
Standard accessory: Specimen holder (2set), Circular blade (1pc), Aluminium Foil (1roll), Filter paper (1pc), Power line (1pc).

Tear
“Trouser leg” type samples are taken from the palm of a glove and are torn apart using a standard tensile test machine. Four performance levels are defined in EN 388 ranging from level 1 = tear strength > 10N to Level 4 = tear strength > 75N.

GT-K01 Universal Tester for Puncture and Tear Tester
(Dual column, computer control model)
Max. Capacity: 5KN
Load cell: The USA Brand
Test speed: 0.001-1000mm/min
Display: Computer display mode
Force Resolution: 1/100,000
Force Accuracy: ≤+/-0.5%
Stroke Resolution: 0.001 mm
Extensometer Resolution: 0.001 mm
Standards: EN 388
Standard accessory: GT-KE22 Plane Tensile Grips (1set), English operation software (1pc), Cable connect with PC (1pc), Extensometer (1set), Power line (1pc).

Puncture
Samples are taken from the palm of a glove and the force required to penetrate the sample with a defined stylus using a Safety Footwear Compression and Puncture Tester is measured. Four performance levels are defined in EN 388 ranging from level 1 = Puncture force > 20N to Level 4 = Puncture force > 150N.

GESTER Equipment: GT-KB12A Safety Footwear Compression and Puncture Tester
Max. Capacity: 30KN
Force Resolution: 1/10000
Force Accuracy: ≤+/-0.2%FS
Stroke Range: 0-300mm
Stroke Resolution: 0.01mm
Compression Load: 15KN or 10KN
Test Nail: Ø4.5mm
Compression Speed: 5±2mm/min
Power Supply: 1∮ AC 220V 50/60HZ
Standards: EN 388 section 6.4
Standard accessory: Platen (1pc), Test Nail (1pc), Operation software, Power line (1pc), EN 388 Lower clamp for puncture tester (inner dimension 20mm).

Impact Protection
Other than the fingers, each area where impact protection is claimed shall be tested for impact attenuation by measuring the peak transmitted force. To meet the requirements this force must be below a defined value.

Application of EN 388: 2016

EN 388 specifies requirements and test methods for protective gloves against mechanical risks. The standard covers all types of protective gloves against mechanical hazards.Typical application sectors include: