Protective Textiles | Applications | Protective Clothing Compilation
Introduction to Protective Textiles
While all clothing is protective to some degree, the concern of protective functional textiles is not with routine needs, such as clothing for warm or cold, rainwear, or routine work clothing. Protective functional textiles focus on more sophisticated needs, protection in situations where hazards or risks are present that have the potential to be life-threatening or damage to the person working in and around the hazard.
With the industrial revolution, a significant increase in the use of protective clothing against industrial hazards such as heat, fire, blast, impact, cuts, chemical splashes, and dirt in the emerging metal, glass, ceramic and chemical industries, and crafts has been observed.
The increasing emphasis on human personal protection and the continued introduction of health and safety means the technical textile market continues to be a buoyant market. Personal protection includes protection against heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, UV radiation, micro-organism, nuclear, biological, chemical, mechanical, and electrical hazards.
Using of high-tech fibers in protective textile production can be summarized following:
- Aramid fibers:
1. p-aramid fiber to impart high strength and ballistics
2. m-aramid fiber to impart flame and heat resistance - Ultra high tenacity polyethylene fibers (UHMWPE): Gel spun, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers with extremely high specific strength and modules, high chemical resistance, and high abrasion resistance
- Polyphylene sulphide fibers (PPS): Crystalline thermoplastic fiber with mechanical properties similar to regular polyester fibers. Excellent heat and chemical resistance.
- Polyetherketone fibers (PEEK): Crystalline thermoplastic fiber with high resistance to heath and to a wide range of chemicals.
- Novoloid (cured phenol-aldhyde) fibers: High flame resistance, non-melting with high resistance to acid, solvents, steam, chemicals, and fuels. Good moisture regain and soft hand.
- PBO (p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) fibers. The strength and modules of this fiber exceed those of any known fibers [2].
Classification of Protective Textiles
Classifying personal protective textiles is complicated because no single classification can clearly summarize all kinds of protection.
Overlap of the definitions is common since there are so many occupations and applications that even the same class of protective clothing often has different requirements in technique and protection.
Depending on the end-use, personal protective textiles can be classified as industrial protective textiles, agricultural protective textiles, military protective textiles, civilian protective textiles, medical protective textiles, sports protective textiles, and space protective textiles.
Personal protective textiles can be further classified according to the end-use functions such as thermal (cold) protection, flame protection, chemical protection, mechanical impact protection, radiation protection, biological protection, electrical protection, and wearer visibility.
Unless indicated otherwise, this classification will be used in the following descriptions.
Fire Protection in Protective Textiles
It would have been impossible for humans to survive the primitive age without the use of fire. However, the fire could be dangerous. Fire disasters occur frequently resulting in non-fatal and fatal casualties.
Of all the accidental fires in dwellings, occupied buildings, and outdoor fires, the great majority. The most frequently ignited materials were the textiles, especially upholstery and furnishings.
It should, however, be noted that the main cause of death in a fire accident is not direct burning but suffocation due to the smoke and toxic gases released during burning. In the UK, 50% of fatalities in fire accidents were directly attributable to this cause.
The purpose of fire-protective clothing is to reduce the rate of heating of human skin in order to provide the wearer enough time to react and escape Using inherently flame-retardant materials such as Kevlar and Nomex, applying a flame-retardant finish or a combination of these methods are commonly used to make clothing and textiles flame retardant.
Heat and Cold Protection
Basic metabolisms occurring inside our body generate heat that can be life-saving or fatal depending on the atmosphere and circumstances that we are in.
Normally, human bodies are comfortable to heat in a very narrow temperature range of 28±30 ëC (82±86 ëF) (Fourt and Hollier, 1970).
In summer, we need the heat from our metabolic activity to be transferred outside as soon as possible, while in winter, especially in extremely cold conditions, we must find ways to prevent the loss of heat from our bodies.
Heat stress, defined as the situation where the body cannot dissipate its excess heat to the environment is a serious problem especially during physical Basically, heat is transferred either as conductive, convective, radiant heat or a combination of these modes depending on the source of heat, the atmosphere the heat-absorbing material is in and the protection available against heat.
Any heat transfer will have at least one of these modes and heat protection is the method to decrease or increase the rate of 6 Textiles for protection heat transfer.
For protection from conductive heat, fabric thickness and density are the major considerations, since air trapped between fibers has the lowest thermal conductivity of all materials.
For protection from convective heat (a flame hazard in particular), the flame-retardant properties of the fabric are important. As for radiant heat protection, metalized fabrics such as aluminized fabrics are preferred, since metalized fabrics have high surface reflection and also electrical conductivity.
Ideal clothing for protection from heat transfer are fabrics with thermo-regulating or temperature-adaptable properties.
Chemical Protection in Protective Textiles Clothing
Fortunately, most of us are not involved in handling dangerous and toxic chemicals, since no amount of protection can provide complete isolation from the hazards of chemicals.
In recent years, the chemical industry has been facing an ever-increasing degree of regulation to avoid workers being exposed to chemical hazards.
Chemical protective clothing (CPC) should be considered the last line of defense in any chemical-handling operation and every effort should be made to use less hazardous chemicals where possible or to develop and implement engineering controls that minimize or eliminate human contact with chemical hazards in a closed cabin and wear protective clothing with gloves and rubber boots.
Other important functions of chemical protective clothing are to protect from chemicals present in the air such as toxic and noxious gases or fumes from automobiles, dust, and microorganisms present in the air.
Safety masks containing activated carbon particles that can absorb the dust present in the atmosphere are commonly used against air pollution.
Mechanical Impact Protection
Ballistic protection is generally required for soldiers, policemen, and general security personnel. Ballistic protection involves the protection of the body and eyes against projectiles of various shapes, sizes, and impact velocities.
Historically, ballistic protection devices were made from metals and were too heavy to wear. Textile materials provide the same level of ballistic protection as metals but have relatively low weight and are therefore comfortable to wear.
Most of the casualties during military combat or during unintended explosions are from the fragments of matter caused by the explosion hitting the 8 Textiles for protection body. A fixed object at 50 km/h (about 30 mph). The tensile strength of a seat belt should be at least 30 kN/50mm.
Radiation Protection
Nuclear radiation protection Special clothing to prevent exposure to radiation is needed for people working in radioactive environments. Alpha-, beta- and gamma-radiation are the major modes of nuclear radiation.
Irradiation injuries by alpha- and some beta-radiation can be prevented by keeping the radioactive dirt off the skin and out of the eyes, nose and mouth.
Goggles, respiratory masks, gloves, and lightweight protective clothing may be adequate for protection from some alpha- and beta-radiation which have weak penetration surface spans from 280 to 3,000 nm.
Ultraviolet (UV) light has the highest energy radiation consisting of UV-A and UV-B, whose radiation is from 320±340 nm and 280±320 nm, respectively.
Various Applications of Protective Textiles Clothing
Industrial Gloves:-
Industrial hand gloves serve as an item of protective textiles or apparel for workers in factories. They are classified under Cut-Slash Protection as well as Thermal Protection.
Gloves are best for protection from rough objects, sparks, and heat, and for cushioning from blows in heavy-duty work requirements. Hand gloves are of various types (leather, knitted, nitrile) and sizes (varying gauges).
The materials that go in the production of hand gloves vary from cotton fabrics and asbestos to a variety of leathers, p-aramid, etc. Gloves are widely used in Industry and Defence (Cut-Slash protection).
Due to rapid industrialization, the use of industrial hand gloves is expected to grow considerably. The gloves used for industrial and general purposes are categories as Leather gloves, Knitted gloves, Non-latex gloves e.g. Nitrile gloves, Rubber/Latex gloves.
The leather, knitted and nitrile gloves are used in industrial applications for protection and have accordingly been discussed in this section. The rubber/latex gloves are used for surgical purposes.
The typical characteristics of gloves are Mild heat resistance, High abrasion protection, Better grip with anti-slip coating, Comfortable and durable, Protection against cut and hot splash, for gloves made from Aramid (para) –temperature tolerance ranges from 250 to 750 Centigrade, Nitrile gloves provide chemical splash protection.
Other than leather gloves the artificial fibers used for industrial gloves include Kevlar (Para-aramid), Spectra, Basophil, and Dyneema.
High Altitude Clothing:-
High altitude clothing is used for protection against extreme weather conditions like extremely low temperature, high-velocity winds, snowfall, etc. especially in critical combat areas like Siachen.
The clothing at high altitudes needs to meet both functional and comfort properties. High altitude clothing is also known as Extreme cold climate clothing (ECC).
The high altitude clothing consists of a jacket, waistcoat, trousers, glacier cap, rappelling gloves, and glacier gloves. The gear typically weight of special clothing is around nine to ten kilograms.
The typical characteristics of high altitude clothing are Hydrophilic – Waterproof and moisture resistant, Breathable, Abrasion resistance, Maintain high integrity, Resistance to quick wear and tear.
The material used for these clothing is a typically hydrophilic polyurethane coating, Gore-Tex coating, or Sympatex coating. The hydrophilic properties are introduced by these coatings or laminates.
Microporous coatings or laminates can be produced by mechanical fibrillation, phase separation, solvent extraction, or solvent exchange.
Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC):-
Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC) is used for protection from chemical and physical hazards. The chemicals get absorbed into the human body in two ways.
Physical contact- The chemicals get absorbed through the skin, Inhalation the chemicals in the gaseous state get absorbed into the body through breathing.
Chemical protective clothing is used for the protection of the whole body against toxic chemicals which manifest their effect by absorption through the skin. The durable Chemical protective clothing is made of non-permeable textile fabrics (PVC/Rubber coated fabrics).
The protection is achieved by blocking the penetration and permeation of the chemicals through the fabrics in the clothing. This is an effective method for providing sufficient protection to professionals from contact with toxic chemicals.
High Visibility Clothes:-
High visibility clothes (also known as Reflective-wear) have become very essential for the protection of people working in poorly lit environments like mines, highways, airport runways, cyclists, etc.
In the dark, the high visibility clothing increases the ability to spot working and guiding personnel. There are broadly three types of high visibility clothing Reflection materials which shine when struck by light, Photoluminescent material which gives yellow light in dark, Fluorescent material which is more visible even during the day Photoluminescent materials absorb the artificial light and emit green-yellow light in the darkness.
The major market for these products is primarily the Armed Forces and to a lesser extent NBC Emergency response units (National Disaster Management Authority)/Central Paramilitary Units/Other Civil Defence units etc.
Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) Suits/Hazmat Suits:-
Hazardous material (Hazmat) suits were designed to protect users handling hazardous waste material such as chemicals, radioactive material, etc. A more specialized variety of these suits are NBC (Nuclear Biological and Chemical) suits.
Developed to protect soldiers, these are designed to protect the user in a hostile environment with chemical/biological agents and against radioactive fallout dust.
The suits are designed to be worn for extended periods while continuing to operate in a combat environment. The NBC suit consists of a trouser and jacket and can be used directly over the undergarments.
The suit is permeable and allows evaporation of sweat (breathable). The suit is made of three layers;
- Inner layer: Fabric cotton
- Middle layer: Active charcoal treated non-woven.
- Outer layer: Fabric with chemical and fire retardant fibers (inherently retardant).
The physical characteristics of the NBC suit are Fire/Heat/Cold/Water repellent outer fabric, Breathable, Effective in the temperature range of -35°C to +55°C, Resistance to wear and tear – high abrasion resistance, Can be decontaminated at least two times, Washable, the Shelf life of five to seven years.
Fire/Flame Retardant Apparel (Protective Textiles):-
The fire/flame retardant apparels have an industrial need as they offer protection from fire and other heat-intensive tasks. Flame, heat, and splashes of molten metal, etc. are hazards in many heavy engineering working conditions.
The fire retardant apparel is used in refineries, iron and steel plants, aluminum plants, and welding industries. The fire retardant apparel can be manufactured from two varieties of fabric: 100% cotton fabric with flame retardant coating or fabric made of inherently flame retardant fiber.
The typical characteristics of the apparel are Flame resistance – must not catch fire, Should be breathable, Easy to wear, Lightweight Should have high abrasion resistance.
Fire/Flame Retardant Fabrics (for Furnishings):-
The normal textile consists of highly ignitable materials and turns into the primary source of fire percolation in case of a break-out. However, fabrics are required for aesthetic appeal.
Fire retardant fabrics perform both the task of providing aesthetics to the surroundings and preventing the spread of fire. There are typically two major categories of fire retardant fabrics which are coated fabric and inherently fire retardant fabric.
The fire retardant fabrics are primarily of two types, 100% cotton fabric with a coating of fire retardant chemical, inherently fire retardant fabric. The cotton fabrics are coated with fire retardant chemicals in a bath which results in a layer of fire retardant getting formed on the cotton surface.
The typical characteristics of the fire retardant fabric are Very low fume toxicity in fire, High tear and abrasion resistance, Breathable and comfortable, Anti decay and Anti-mold, Crease resistance, High dimensional stability, No fading, and excellent colour tone.
The key industries which drive the off-take of fire retardant fabric are all building and constructions need to get fire safety clearance from the fire department.
However, these clearances are more from the construction perspective rather than the furnishing perspective. With the boom in retail and real estate, there has been a rapid emergence of shopping complexes, malls, a cinema multiplex, etc.
There is a need for fire retardant fabrics in these areas from the security point of view. Airlines, Railways, and Ships are another key market, Office furnishings and hospitals, and another key sector.
The fabrics find application in curtains, sheers, upholstery, stage curtains, blankets, bedding, wall coverings, and blinds.
Bullet-Proof Jacket:-
Ballistic protection involves the protection of the wearer‘s body and eyes against projectiles and fragments of various shapes, sizes, and impact velocity. The projectiles are a part of ammunition shot through weapons such as pistols, revolvers, and rifles.
Ballistic protection equipment has been used for ages, the earliest form of protection was the metallic suit. The ballistic protection equipment evolved from metallic to natural fiber fabric (layers of silk).
With the advent of synthetic fibers, all the ballistic protection equipment was made using synthetic fibers like aromatic polyamide (Aramid), Ultra High Modulus Polyethylene (UHMPE), and p – phenylene-2, 6-benzobisoxazole (PBO).
The bullet-proof jackets are made from Aramid, Nylon 66, UHMPE, Carbon fibers, or PBO. Each jacket has about 0.6 square meters of non-woven material weighing around 750 GSM.
The bulk of the jacket is made from woven material as the combination of weave and fiber characteristics influences the energy absorption characteristics of the bullet-proof jacket.
The synthetic fiber (Aramid) used in the production of bullet-proof jackets are primarily imported (DSM Netherlands/DuPont etc) with the exception of carbon glass fiber With the rising trend of crime, violence, and terrorism, the demand for bullet-proof jackets is rising as well.
The major customers of bullet-proof jackets are Defence, Paramilitary forces engaged in counter-terrorism/insurgency operations, and Law enforcement agencies (police).
Protective Clothing Compilation
Productive clothing can be divided into the following groups:
- Clothing against heat and flame
- Clothing against mechanical impacts
- Fire mens protective clothing
- Clothing against cold
- Clothing against foul weather(moisture wind)
- Clothing against chemical substances (gas liquids, particles)
- Clothing against radioactive contamination
Heat Transmission Performance Requirements:-
- 7.2 : Convective Heat (Code B) – as per ISO 9151
- 7.3 : Radiant Heat (Code C) – as per ISO 6942
- 7.4 : Molten aluminum Splash (Code D)- as per ISO 9185
- 7.5 : Molten Iron Splash (Code E) – as per ISO 9185
- 7.6 : Contact Heat (Code F) – as per ISO 12127
- 7.7 : Thermal Effect of an electric arc event (optional)
Horizontal Flammability (ISO 3795)
Specifies a method for determining the horizontal burning rate of materials used in the occupant compartment of vehicles, after exposure to a small flame.
This method permits the testing of materials and parts of the vehicle interior equipment individually or in combination up to a thickness of 13 mm.
ASTM D1230: 45-Degree Burn Test:-
ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, is an international standards organization that develops voluntary testing standards.
The ASTM D1230 flammability test procedure for apparel textiles is very similar, but not identical, to the flammability test procedures outlined in 16 CFR 1610. Therefore, ASTM D1230 may not be used to demonstrate compliance with 16 CFR 1610 for commercial sale in the U.S.
But ASTM D1230 can still be helpful for evaluating the flammability of non-regulated apparel items, such as for markets without a mandatory standard.
ASTM D6413/IS 6941: Vertical Burn Test:-
The ASTM D6413 flammability test procedure is used for measuring textile flame resistance. ASTM D6413 measures the char length of a flame-resistant (FR) textile but does not set a pass/fail standard for flammability.
ASTM D6413 flammability testing procedures are incorporated into the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) NFPA 2112 standard, which does set pass/fail requirements.
NFPA 2112 is primarily used to test flame-resistant textiles, such as apparel is worn to protect wearers from exposure to flash fires in the oil, gas, chemical, or petrochemical industries.
ISO 15025 (Surface and Bottom Edge Ignition):-
ISO 15025:2016 specifies two procedures (surface ignition and bottom-edge ignition) for determining flame spread properties of vertically oriented flexible materials in the form of single or multicomponent fabrics (coated, quilted, multilayered, sandwich constructions, and similar combinations) when subjected to a small defined flame.
This test standard does not apply to situations where there is restricted air supply or exposure to large sources of intense heat, for which other test methods are more appropriate.
Procedure A:
Surface ignition → the burner is placed perpendicular to the fabric surface. Flame is applied for 10 seconds and the following information is observed and recorded:
a) whether the flame reaches the upper border or any border of the sample
b) post-combustion time
c) post-incandescence time
d) if post-incandescence spreads beyond the ignited area
e) peeling of residues
f) whether the residues ignite the filter paper
g) whether a hole forms and in which layer
Procedure B:
Edge ignition → the burner is placed at a 30° angle with respect to the vertical axis. The distance between the edge of the burner and the lower border of the fabric must be 20 mm ± 2 mm. The flame is applied for 10 seconds and the previous information should be observed and recorded, except for g).
ISO 9151 (Convective Heat):-
ISO 9151:2016 specifies a method for determining the heat transmission through materials or material assemblies used in protective clothing. Materials may then be ranked by comparing heat transfer indices, which provide an indication of the relative heat transmission under the specified test conditions.
The heat transfer index should not be taken as a measure of the protection time given by the tested materials under actual use conditions.
For each material or set of materials, a minimum of 3 samples (140 mm x 140 mm) will be tested.
Test: a fabric sample will be subjected to an incident heat flow of 80 kW/m² ± 5%. The heat that passes through the sample is measured using a calorimeter located above, and in contact with, the fabric sample.
The time in seconds needed for the calorimeter’s temperature to increase 24 ºC ± 0.2 ºC is measured.
When multilayered sets are tested, the fabrics should follow the order in which they will be made.
- Thermocouple
- Calorimeter block
- Sample
The heat transfer index should not be taken as a measure of the protection time given by the tested materials under actual use conditions.
ISO 12127-1:2015 (Contact Heat):-
This method specifies a test method for the determination of contact heat transmission. It is applicable to protective clothing (including hand protectors) and its constituent materials intended to protect against high contact temperatures.
ISO 12127-1:2015 is restricted to contact temperatures between 100°C and 500°C.
The threshold time taken for the calorimeter to increase a temperature by 10ºC is measured.
ISO 6942 (Radiant Heat)
This method specifies two complementary methods carried out at room temperature: method A is used for visual assessment of any changes in the material after the action of heat radiation; with method B, the protective effect of the materials is determined.
The materials may be tested either by both methods or by only one of them. The tests according to these two methods serve to classify materials; however, to be able to make a statement or prediction as to the suitability of a material for protective clothing.
For each material or set of materials, a minimum of 3 samples will be tested (230 mm x 70 mm).
Test: a sample of fabric will be subjected to an incident radiant heat flow of 20-40 kW/m² ± 5%, as per the test standard. The heat that goes through the sample will be measured using a calorimeter located behind, and in contact with, the fabric sample.
Radiation will be stopped when the heat indicator reaches 24°C, or after 5 minutes. The time needed, in seconds, to produce the temperature increase in the calorimeter is measured.
This time is the length of time that will pass before the person using the suit will start to feel pain due to second-degree burns caused by this increase in temperature.
Hi-Visibility Clothing (EN ISO 20471)
The test requirements of this standard ensure that the colour is of adequate shade and depth by means of Chromaticity and Luminance tests (CIE 15, colorimetry), before and after Xenon exposure to ISO 105 B02 and after the maximum number of allowable laundry cycles (ISO 6330/ISO 15797 or ISO 3175).
Products are also checked for colour fastness to ensure no leaching of the high-visibility dyestuffs are transferred to other items of clothing during their end use; these include washing (ISO 105 C06), rubbing (ISO 105 X12), perspiration (ISO 105 E04), dry cleaning (ISO 105 D01), hot pressing (ISO 105 X11) and bleaching (ISO 105 N01).
The performance standard also sets out colour fastness requirements for contrast materials which are to be used alongside high visibility materials in a garment.
This standard also sets out requirements for the physical attributes of both the high visibility (background) and contrast fabrics and seams, which in turn assure longevity, comfort, and strength aspects during end-use.
Testing includes; Tensile for woven and coated fabrics (ISO 1421 and EN ISO 13934-1), Tear for coated materials to ISO 4674-1, Burst for knitted material to EN ISO 13938-1, and dimensional stability for all fabrics, using ISO 5077 for measurements.
This Performance Standard is commonly performed in conjunction with EN 343, “Protective clothing. Protection against the rain”.
We are also able to test EN 1150 which governs non-professional workwear where good visibility is required, e.g. horse riding bibs and cyclists’ garments.
The design of garments manufactured from high visibility fabrics must also satisfy certain design criteria in terms of the area of high visibility material included in the garment, the layout of retro-reflective bands, and contrast materials.
The three components of Hi-Vis Clothing:
EN 20471 sets out the high-visibility clothing regulations for the designs and performance of each element of the garment. There are usually three main components.
- The fluorescent material: This boosts visibility during daylight hours and can also increase visibility at night.
2. The Reflective Strips: These are designed to enhance visibility during the darker hours of the day. Reflective strips require a light source to work and create retro-reflection. They are essential for those working at night.
3. The contrast material: Some hi-vis clothing is designed with darker-colored parts that are less sensitive to dirt than the fluorescent material and reflective strips, without which the functionality would diminish. The areas covered with the contrast fabric tend to be where dirt is most likely to build up, for example, the sleeve end and across the abdomen on hi-vis fleeces and jackets, and the ankle and knee section of hi-vis work trousers and waterproof trousers.
Vertical and Surface Resistance (EN 1149-1 & 2)
Discharges (sparks) from the human body and from clothing can ignite flammable gas, vapours, and dust clouds. The BS EN 1149 series of standards were developed to provide tests and requirements for fabrics and garments that would not ignite the most easily ignitable mixture of hydrogen, gas, and air.
The test methods from the BS EN 1149 series of tests are as follows:
- BS EN 1149-1:2006 – Test method for measurement of surface resistivity.
- BS EN 1149-2:1997 – Test method for measurement of the electrical resistance through a material (vertical resistance).
- EN 1149-1: Protective clothing – Electrostatic properties, part 1
- The fabric releases its electrostatic charge via conduction. In the related test, the surface resistance is determined; it has to be ≤ 2,5 * 109 Ω. Electricity can be conducted via homogeneous or heterogeneous material. If the material is heterogeneous, static electricity has to be released via a grid of conductive fibers (metal/carbon) measuring max. 10 mm x 10 mm.
Resistance to Molten Aluminium and Iron Splash
11612D en E (ISO 9185)
This test is specifically designed for Foundry workers, metalworkers, welders.
In the test, liquid metal is poured over the fabric at a special angle and the rating indicates how much the fabric can handle before a hole is formed. The test is divided into three classes where D3 and E3 respectively indicate the highest value. See the values in the list for EN ISO 11612.
Our specially developed MFA protective garments offer the highest protection against molten iron and aluminum D3 and E3.
Determining the level of protection against spatters of molten metal. A membrane (with similar properties to human skin) is attached to the reverse of the fabric sample.
Subsequently, sequentially rising quantities of molten metal (for the D value – molten aluminum and for the E value – molten iron) are splashed on the sample. The quantity of molten metal which deforms the membrane is determined.
The classification for molten aluminum is:
- D1: 100 < 200 grams
- D2: 200 <350 grams
- D3: 350 grams and more
The classification for molten iron is:
- E1: 60 < 120 grams
- E2: 120 < 200 grams
- E3: 200 grams and more
Determination of Behavior of Materials on the Impact of Small Splashes of Molten Metal (Impact of Spatter ISO 9150)
This trial measures the number of molten metal drops needed to increase the temperature of the calorimeter behind the sample, 40°K. The trial will be performed on 10 samples measuring 120 mm x 20 mm.
The composition of the test rods is very important, as it affects the ability to reproduce the results. The composition must abide by standard ISO 636, and linear density must be (0.5 + 0.2) g/cm.
One end of a steel rod is smelted on the flame of an oxyacetylene blowtorch with a diameter of 1.2 mm. The rod will be pushed forward with a variable-speed motor and a pulley system.
Prior to performing the test, the speed of the motor must be adjusted so that the steel rod can be fed into it at a speed of 10 g/min. Once all parameters have been adjusted, the test consisting of projecting molten metal drops on the same area of the sample will be performed.
Blade Cut Resistance in Protective Textiles (EN 388)
This standard helps you to identify which gloves have the appropriate level of protection against mechanical risk in the work environment.
For example, construction workers may encounter abrasion hazards regularly and metal fabrication workers may require protection against cutting tools and sharp edges.
This test involves a rotating circular blade moving to and fro across a fabric sample, with a fixed force of 5 Newtons applied from above. The test is completed when the blade has broken through the sample material and the result is then specified as an index value.
The result is determined by the cycle count needed to cut through the sample and additionally by calculating the degree of wear and tear on the blade. The protection level is indicated by a number between 1 to 5, where 5 indicates the highest level of cut protection.
