EN 388 is the European standard used to assess mechanical risks for hand protection, similar to ANSI/ISEA 105. Gloves rated EN 388 have been third-party tested and evaluated for abrasion, cut, tear and puncture resistance. Cut resistance is rated 1-5, other physical performance factors are rated 1-4.
Until now, the EN 388 standard has only used the "Current Cut Test" to test the cut resistance. The new EN 388 2016 standard uses the “Current Cut Test” plus the “TDM-100 Cut Test” to more precisely measure the cut level. The updated standard also includes a new Impact Protection test.
The most significant change to the EN 388 2016 standard is the official inclusion of the ISO 13997 cut test method. ISO 13997, also known as the “TDM-100 Test”, is similar to the ASTM F105-2992 test method used in the ANSI 15 standard. Both standards will benefit from TDM machine with sliding blade and weights. After many years with different testing methods, it was quickly realized that the blade used in the "Coup Test" wore off when testing yarns containing high levels of glass and steel fibers. This led to unreliable cutting results, so the need to include the “TDM-100 Test” in the new EN 388 2016 standard was strongly supported.
EN 388 Test Practice
The test material is placed under a rotating blade under a constant weight, resulting in a cutoff score of 1-5. The problem with the Coupe Test is that if the blade is in high cut resistant material it will dull and a dull blade will cause false scores. This dilemma led to the release of the TDM-100 machine.
The Coupe Test is still used for lower cut resistant materials, but if the Coupe Test results in level 3-5, the ISO 13997 test is required. The ISO test will result in a score measured in newtons from A-F. The ISO test will result in a score measured in newtons from A-F.
Wear Resistance
The material is subject to abrasion by a sandpaper under a specified pressure. The protection level is displayed 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, the better the wear resistance.
Impact Testing
Cut protection is tested. A knife is passed over the glove material until it cuts. The protection level is given by a number from 5 to 1, where 5 indicates the highest cut protection. If the material blunts the blade during this test, the shear test ISO 13997 (TDM test) will be performed instead.
Tear Strength
The force required to break the glove material is measured. The protection level is indicated by a number from 1 to 4, where 4 indicates the strongest material.
Puncture Resistance
Depending on the amount of force required to pierce the material with a bit. The protection function is indicated by a number from 4 to 1, where 4 indicates the strongest material.
Cut Resistance
If the blade becomes dull during the impact test, the result is given with a letter from A to F, where F indicates the highest level of protection. If any of these letters are given, this method determines the level of protection rather than impact testing.
Impact Protection
If the glove has impact protection, this information is with the letter P. If there is no P, impact protection is requested.
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