The cut performance rating of a glove measures the amount of force (n grams) applied for failure to occur at a 20mm distance of travel for a standard cutting blade. When a gloves is tested in accordance with ASTM F2992-15, the cut resistance is classified as shown below:
| Level | Weight (g) |
|---|---|
| A1 | ≥ 200 |
| A2 | ≥ 500 |
| A3 | ≥ 1000 |
| A4 | ≥ 1500 |
| A5 | ≥ 2200 |
| A6 | ≥ 3000 |
| A7 | ≥ 4000 |
| A8 | ≥ 5000 |
| A9 | ≥ 6000 |
Heavier weight indicates greater cut resistance.
A knife is passed over the glove material until it cuts through. The protection level is given by a number between 1 and 5, where 5 indicates the highest cut protection. If the material dulls the knife during this test, the cut test ISO 13997(TDM test) shall be performed instead, see point 5.
| Level | Coupe test/index |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.2 |
| 2 | 2.5 |
| 3 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 10.0 |
| 5 | 20.0 |
The objective of this TDM test is to determine the resistance of the safety gloves by applying great force to the sample fabric in a single movement, rather than in continuous circular movements like in the coupe test.
A knife cuts with constant speed but increasing force until it breaks through the material. This method allows for an accurate calculation of the minimum force required to cut the sample material at a thickness of 20mm.
Products that performed well under the EN 388:2003 coupe test may not necessarily perform as well under the TDM test. While the coupe test offers an effective representation for cuts caused by sharp, fairly lightweight objects, the TDM test gives a more accurate specification in terms of cut resistance during work which includes different impact-based hazards.
The result is given by 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 protection level and the coupe test value will be marked with X.
| Level | Force (newton) |
|---|---|
| A | ≥ 2 |
| B | ≥ 5 |
| C | ≥ 10 |
| D | ≥ 15 |
| E | ≥ 22 |
| F | ≥ 30 |
The American National Standards Institute / International Safety Equipment Association (ANSI/ISEA) 105-2016 American National Standard for Hand Protection Classification is the latest revision of a voluntary consensus standard first published in 1999, and revised in 2005, 2011 and 2016.
This standard addresses the classification and testing of hand protection for specific performance properties related to chemical and industrial applications. It provides, or refers to, appropriate test methods and provides pass/fail criteria used by manufacturers to classify their products. End users can use this information to review the documentation received from their supplier to help verify the gloves they are considering meet their needs.