How to choose a pair of cut resistant gloves is a question bothering many of our customers. Organizations in both Europe and the US have set the industrial standards for safety gloves, including cut resistant levels. Therefore, to understand which level cut resistant glove is right for you, it is important to first get familiarize with cut resistant levels.
1. EN388
As explained in the previous blog, EN388 is set up by the European Commission with four numbers and a letter to represent abrasion, cut (Coup test), tear, puncture ratings, and cut (TDM-100) ratings. This blog will focus on cut ratings. Follow this link to read more about EN388.
Coup Test
A circular blade rotating on test sample and cotton with a constant force at 5N will give a cut index. Then the gloves will be classified into level 1-5 based on the cut index given. Note that some gloves contain glass fiber or steel within the fiber that will have a strong likelihood to blunt the blade during the test, resulting in less accurate ratings. Therefore, in some cases, TDM-100 is used to substitute Coup test.
TDM-100
A straight blade cuts through test sample with increasing force. A new blade is used after each cut. Cut level A-F is will be given to a pair of gloves under the following standard:
|
Newtons Added |
Cut Level |
|
2 - 4.9 newtons |
A |
|
5 - 9.9 newtons |
B |
|
10 - 14.9 newtons |
C |
|
15 - 21.9 newtons |
D |
|
22 - 29.9 newtons |
E |
|
30+ newtons |
F |
2. ANSI/ISEA 105-2016
First published in 1999, ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 is the latest version published by the American National Standards Institute / International Safety Equipment Association. It defines cut levels by testing how much weight is needed to cut through material with 20 millimeters of blade travel:
|
Millimeters Traveled |
Cut Level |
|
A1 |
≥ 200 |
|
A2 |
≥ 500 |
|
A3 |
≥ 1,000 |
|
A4 |
≥ 1,500 |
|
A5 |
≥ 2,200 |
|
A6 |
≥ 3,000 |
|
A7 |
≥ 4,000 |
|
A8 |
≥ 5,000 |
|
A9 |
≥ 6,000 |
3 Which Level Is Right for You
Cut resistance is a function of liner’s strength and thickness. Coating can have little effect on cut resistant score. Typically, higher the cut level is, harder the glove will be, because thicker steel fibers will be added into liner compositions.
Therefore, choosing cut resistant gloves had been in a dilemma between comfort and function. A pair of Cut F gloves could be over 90g. With Hanvo’s 18 gauges double knitting and innovative liner, a pair of size 9 Cut F gloves can be as light as 34g.
Want better protection but don’t want to give up comfort and flexibility?
Contact us at: info@hhglove.com
