Abrasion resistance test
Martindale Abrasimeter
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.

Cut resistance test
Cut Tester
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.

EN388:2016 Cut resistance: integration of the EN ISO 13997 method and use of the TDM-100 (Tomodynamometer) equipment.
The TDM uses a straight blade to make a linear cut through the specimen.
The principle of this test is the variation of the load (weight) applied to the blade to cause the cut, with a single movement. More precisely, during 4 series of 5 cuts (20 tests) the weight (Newton) necessary to cut the specimen is identified.
The cut resistance levels measured according to the EN ISO 13997 test are indicated with 6 letters from A to F, as shown in the table, to avoid confusion with the numerical levels of the EN388:2003 standard.
In the EN388:2016 standard, the test according to ISO 13997 has been inserted in addition to the EN388:2003 cut test for gloves containing highly abrasive materials.
The Coup Test will still be used and it will be at the discretion of the manufacturer to show the result (1-5) or replace it with an “X”. During the regulatory transition period, gloves already certified according to the EN388:2003 standard will remain compliant with the CE Certifications in force.

Tear resistance test
Dynamometer
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.

Puncture resistance test
Dynamometer/Persoz
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.
