EN 388 standards

Understand the EN388:2016 standard

Download the EN388 standard memo

The EN388 standard defines the different mechanical protection levels of a glove and caracterises it with 6 performance levels:

Abrasion	Blade cut coupe test	Tear	Puncture	Iso 13997	Impact

1^st digit: ABRASION

The abrasion resistance level is represented by the first digit below the pictogram. To compute its value, a machine test is performed which stimulate the weariness of a palm glove sample by doing cyclic movements on a normed abrasive paper with a 9kPa pressure. The abrasion is determined by the cycles number needed to wear out the sample until doing a hole. The higher the number of cycles, the higher the performing level (levels performances are between 1 and 4).

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2^nd digit: BLADE CUT COUPE TEST

The cut coupe test resistance level is represented by the second digit below the pictogram. To compute its value, a machine test is performed which simulate a cut on palm glove sample. A turning circular blade will does horizontal movements with a defined pressure on a control sample, and on the glove. We measure the necessary number of cycles (horizontal movements needed to cut it). The difference between the number of cycles to cut the sample and the number of cycles to cut the glove gives the cutting index. For example, an index = 20 means it needs 20 more cycles to cut the glove sample than the control sample. This index is converted according to the tab below. To be sure the test is valid, a new control sample test is done after the test on the glove. If the measure gap between the control sample before and after the test is too huge, it means that the test wore out the blade. In this case the ISO test (5th digit) becomes the reference test.

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3^rd digit: TEAR

The tear resisance level is represented by the third digit below the pictogram. To compute its value, a test is performed which stimulate glove sample stretching. The sample is fixed on the two endpoints of a machine. The resistance level is defined regarding the strenght necessary for it to tear appart. The higher apply strenght, the higher the performing level (performing level go from 1 to 4).

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4^th digit: PUNCTURE

The puncture resistance level is represented by the fourth digit below the pictogram. A test on steel tip machine with a pen size applying strenght on a define sample is realised. The performance level is definedby the needed strength to completely puncture the sample. Warning: this performance is different from a puncture by sting or fine needle.

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5^th digit: ISO Cut Standards : 13997

The 5th digit of the EN3388 standard represents the cut resistance measured regarding the ISO standard. It doesn't replace the initial cut coupe test represented by the second digit below the pictogram but became the reference test since the cut standard test showed his limits (see 2nd digit). Now mandatory since 2016, it gives a better precision and reliability. Indeed, the new test method, also called cut test TDM doesn't calculate only the back and forth of the blade on a sample to cut it, but also the strength needed to cut it. The higher the strength needed, the hi is high more the cutting glove resistance is high. This new method allows to better categorise and differentiate very high resistance gloves. The performance level is between A and F, A defining a low resistance level and F defining the maximum cutting resistance level. For your information, 10 newtons ~ 1 kg.

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6^ème digit: IMPACT

Representing the 6th and last digit of the EN388 standard, this test is not mandatory. It is done to revendicate the impact protection offered by a glove. A test is done by simulating the fall of a 2.5 kg weight creating a 5 joules energy on the glove part protecting the hand from a choc. To pass the test and validate the glove really dispatches the energy, the sensor below the sample shall not record a value higher than 7kN.

NB : When the digit is X on the test code, it means thar the glove has not been tested on the criteria. But if the digit 0 on this code, it means that the results are below the minimum required level.

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