Laboratory - Safety System Hand Protection EN

Design and Quality Control of PPE and garments represent the added value of our company, always committed to continuous improvement of our product range.

Our technical department comprises a Test Lab equipped with cutting-edge technologies for mechanical, chemical tests and simulation of in-field use of gloves and garments.
We are able to determine the performance of materials, check their suitability for use and certify their conformity and continuity of production.
The equipment and procedures adopted by our Laboratory are approved by the French Notified Body CTC – Lyon (No. 0075) which certifies the suitability of the laboratory to issue tests reports (EN388:2003; EN420:2010), formally validated by the Notified Body.

According to the UNI EN 420
the laboratory is equipped for the following tests:

The length match of the size glove is defined in accordance with EN420.

pH value is measured on an aqueous extract. The material to be tested is pulverized and mixed with demineralised water. The solution is then stirred for 6 hours and filtered prior to analysis. The pH-meter is calibrated after each use.

The pH value detected must be between 3.5 and 9.5.

The solution used to measure pH is also used to detect the presence of CrVI by means of specific chemical analysis. If the result is positive, a quantitative analysis is made through photometric measurement.
For leather gloves, the Hexavalent Chromium content must be less than 3 mg/kg.

Dexterity is tested by taking the index finger and thumb of a metal cylinder three times consecutively without any uncertainty within 30 sec.
Depending on the cylinder diameter, the dexterity level ranges from a minimum of 1 to a maximum level of dexterity 5.

According to EN 388
the laboratory is equipped for the following tests

Round test specimens of the material under test (fabric/leather, etc.) are abraded with circular movements against a standardized abrasive under a standard pressure (9 kPa). Abrasion resistance is determined by the number of cycles necessary to break the material (formation of a hole through the test specimen). Four test specimens are tested simultaneously; each test specimen is prepared and fitted separately on a specific rotating head, moving according to the Lissajous elliptic pattern.

Measurement is based on comparison between the results obtained with a control test speciment (canvas master fabric) and those obtained from the specimen under test. A circular blade having an alternating rotational movement, guided by an arm, moves horizontally on the test specimen at a pressure of 5N.
An electronic counter measures the number of cutting cycles before the blade comes into contact with the conductive rubber positioned under the test specimen. At this point, an electronic circuit stops the machine automatically. Cut resistance is determined applying the mathematical formula defined by the standard.

This tool is used to determine the tear resistance of a material (fabric, leather, dipped liner).
It is also possible to measure the elongation and the breaking load of the yarn using specific clamps.
Tear resistance is defined as the force necessary, measured in Newton, to tear a standard test specimen. The test is carried out using a traction device equipped with a strength detector.

A circular, 40 mm diameter test specimen is taken from the palm of the glove.
The test specimen is fastened to a specific device with the outer surface facing a standard steel stylus that traverses vertically at constant speed until the test specimen is perforated, determining the puncture resistance of the material measured in Newton.

According to EN 407
the laboratory is equipped for the following tests

A circual sample of the analyzed material is fixed onto the calorimeter and put in contact with the heating cylinder, previously brought to a given tempereature. The thermocouple, integrated into the calorimeter and place underneath the sample, measures the increase of temperature from the moment in which the sample touches the heating cylinder. The test is stopped when the reached temperature is 10°C higher than the room temperature (between 15°C and 25°C). According to EN407, a certain level is passed when the temperature increase of 10°C is kept in a threshold time of 15 seconds.
A circual sample of the analyzed material is fixed onto the calorimeter and put in contact with the heating cylinder, previously brought to a given tempereature. The thermocouple, integrated into the calorimeter and place underneath the sample, measures the increase of temperature from the moment in which the sample touches the heating cylinder. The test is stopped when the reached temperature is 10°C higher than the room temperature (between 15°C and 25°C). According to EN407, a certain level is passed when the temperature increase of 10°C is kept in a threshold time of 15 seconds.