EN 388 Protective Gloves Against Mechanical Risks

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Mechanical testing of polymer materials in the automotive industry is directly related to the safety of components and the reliability of the entire vehicle. UnitedTest can cover mechanical performance testing for automotive interior and exterior parts, as well as functional components, adapting to automaker standards and providing comprehensive testing solutions including tensile, impact, and fatigue tests.

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Mechanical testing in the consumer goods industry determines product durability and safety, such as impact resistance for toys and fatigue resistance for home appliances, making it core to compliance and quality. UnitedTest can cover mechanical tests for all categories of consumer goods, including tensile, impact, and hardness tests, compatible with national and international standards, and offers customized testing solutions.

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Material strength is a course that most engineering fields are required to study in university education. This interesting course is very practical and makes use of testing equipment in the materials laboratory.

Mechanical testing of industrial products and components is essential to ensure their load-bearing, fatigue resistance, and impact resistance, directly preventing production accidents and ensuring stable operation of equipment. UnitedTest can cover a full range of tests including tensile, hardness, and fatigue, complying with national and international standards, and provides customized industrial mechanical testing solutions.

Mechanical testing in the plastic pipe industry determines ring stiffness, impact resistance, and tensile performance, directly preventing pipe bursts and deformation risks. UnitedTest can cover full-dimensional mechanical testing of pipes, complies with ISO,ASTM,EN et.c, international standards, and provides customized testing solutions.

In the construction engineering and building materials industry, mechanical testing determines the compressive and tensile properties of materials such as concrete and steel, which is core to ensuring the safety and durability of buildings. UnitedTest can cover the full range of building material mechanical tests, complies with ISO, ASTM international standards, and provides customized testing solutions for compressive, tensile, and other properties.

Mechanical testing in the food and beverage industry involves the compressive and tensile performance of packaging and the safety of food texture, directly ensuring storage, transportation safety, and the eating experience. UnitedTest can cover all-dimensional mechanical testing for packaging and food texture, comply with national and international standards, and provide customized testing solutions.

Mechanical testing in the packaging industry determines the packaging's resistance to compression, impact, and tension, directly ensuring the safety of contents during storage and transportation. UnitedTest can cover comprehensive mechanical testing for packaging, complying with ISO, ASTM Standards, and provides customized testing solutions for compression, drop, tear, and more.

Mechanical testing in the transportation industry concerns the load-bearing and fatigue resistance performance of core components such as vehicles, tracks, and containers, directly ensuring transport safety and equipment durability. UnitedTest can cover mechanical testing for all types of transportation materials, complying with national and international standards, and provides customized testing solutions including tensile, fatigue, and impact tests.

Metallurgical testing examines the properties of metallic materials to determine if a particular metal is appropriate for its intended use.

Testing of polymer materials covers mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties, verifying strength, heat resistance, composition, and ensuring product quality and compliance.

UnitedTest offer world-class testing solution in testing for polymeric materials, including elastomers, thermoplastics, composites, coatings, and structural adhesives in a variety of industries.

Testing of rubber and elastomers is used to assess the various properties and performance of materials under different conditions. This is crucial for ensuring the safety, functionality, and quality of rubber and elastomer products used in industries such as automotive, construction, consumer goods, and aerospace.

Conduct adhesive testing using various testing methods to determine their performance and characteristics in applications across multiple industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, packaging, industrial, medical, and energy, thereby supporting application development and quality assurance.

UnitedTest supply machine and testing solution for tension, compression, fracture toughness, direct shear, triaxial and ultrasonic velocity are common concrete and rock testing applications.

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Mechanical testing in the textile fabric industry determines core properties such as fabric tensile strength, tear resistance, and wear resistance, directly affecting product durability and safety. UnitedTest can cover comprehensive mechanical tests for textiles, complying with national standards / ISO standards, and provides customized testing solutions including tensile, tear, and puncture tests.

The mechanical testing of industrial components directly determines the load-bearing, fatigue resistance, and wear resistance of the parts, helping to avoid equipment failure risks. UnitedTest can cover a full range of tests including tensile, hardness, and fatigue, is compatible with ISO/ASTM/GB standards, and provides customized mechanical testing solutions for industrial components.

Mechanical testing in the glass-ceramics industry determines core properties such as flexural strength, hardness, and fracture toughness, directly helping to avoid brittleness and failure risks. UnitedTest can cover comprehensive testing for flexural strength, hardness, and fracture toughness, compatible with national and ISO/ASTM standards, and provides customized testing solutions.

Tensile test evaluates material resistance to stretching, measuring strength/elongation critical for quality control. UnitedTest offers universal tensile testers (10-600KN) compliant with ASTM/ISO standards, providing tailored solutions for metals, polymers, medical & industrial materials.

Compression test assesses material resistance to compressive loads, measuring strength/deformation critical for quality validation. UnitedTest offers compression testing machines compliant with ASTM/ISO standards, providing tailored solutions for concrete, plastics, metals and industrial components.

Flexural & Bend tests evaluate material resistance to bending forces, measuring strength, stiffness and ductility for quality assurance. UnitedTest provides flexural testing machines (3-point/4-point bend) compliant with ASTM/ISO standards, offering tailored solutions for composites, plastics, metals and construction materials.

Torsion Test evaluates material resistance to rotational forces, measuring torsional strength/ductility critical for fasteners, insulators, shafts. UnitedTest offers torsion testers compliant with ASTM A938/ISO 16047, providing tailored solutions for automotive, aerospace, fastener industries.

Fatigue Test assesses material durability under cyclic loading, critical for predicting service life of industrial components. UnitedTest offers fatigue testing systems (axial/bending/torsion) compliant with ASTM E466/ISO 12106, providing tailored solutions for automotive, aerospace and manufacturing sectors.

Peel Test measures material adhesion strength by evaluating resistance to peeling forces, critical for adhesives, films, packaging. UnitedTest offers peel testers compliant with ASTM D903/ISO 8510, covering 90°/180° peel tests, and tailored solutions for packaging, automotive, textile industries.

Impact Test evaluates material resistance to sudden shock loads, critical for assessing toughness and fracture risk. UnitedTest offers impact testers (Charpy/Izod/fall weight) compliant with ASTM E23/ISO 148, providing tailored solutions for metals, plastics, glass and industrial components.

Tear & Shear Test evaluates material resistance to tearing and shearing forces, measuring critical strength parameters for quality control. Tear tests (Elmendorf/trouser/trapezoidal) assess resistance to crack propagation in films/fabrics, while shear tests measure resistance to parallel forces in joints/bolts. UnitedTest provides universal testing machines (10KN-600KN) with specialized fixtures for both tests, compliant with ASTM D624/D3164 and ISO standards, serving automotive, packaging and construction industries.

Hardness test measures material's resistance to permanent indentation, critical for quality control. UnitedTest offers universal hardness testers (Rockwell/Brinell/Vickers) compliant with ASTM/ISO standards, plus tailored hardness testing solutions for diverse industrial needs.

Biaxial/triaxial tests evaluate material performance under multi-axis loads, critical for biomaterials, metals and composites. UnitedTest provides compliant testing machines (ASTM/ISO) for planar biaxial, static/fatigue triaxial tests, with tailored solutions for industrial & biomedical needs.

Friction and wear tests assess material resistance to friction, abrasion and wear, critical for industrial material performance validation. UnitedTest offers tribometers compliant with ASTM G99/ISO standards, covering pin-on-disk, four-ball tests, and tailored friction & wear testing solutions for diverse industries.

Pressure test evaluates material/component resistance to static/dynamic pressure, critical for sealing, strength and safety validation. UnitedTest offers pressure testing machines compliant with ASTM/ISO standards, covering burst, hold-pressure tests, and tailored solutions for industrial, automotive & medical sectors.

Fire test assesses material flammability, heat resistance and fire-retardant performance, critical for safety compliance across industries. UnitedTest offers fire testing equipment compliant with ASTM/ISO/UL standards, providing tailored fire test solutions for building materials, plastics and industrial components.

Non-destructive Test (NDT) evaluates material/component integrity without damage, critical for safety & quality across industries. UnitedTest offers ultrasonic/X-ray/magnetic particle NDT equipment compliant with ASTM/ISO standards, plus tailored NDT solutions for aerospace, automotive & manufacturing sectors.

EN 388:2016+A1:2018 – Protective gloves against mechanical risks, is a cornerstone standard in the global PPE industry.

EN 388 is a type testing and performance classification standard for gloves designed to protect against physical and mechanical hazards such as abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture. Its principle is to subject glove samples to a series of standardized laboratory tests, each generating a numerical performance level. These levels are then displayed on a pictogram label on the glove, providing users with an at-a-glance understanding of its protective capabilities.

Test Methods and Symbols:

EN 388 Protective Gloves Against Mechanical Risks

Test Methods details introduction:

1, Abrasion Resistance (ISO 12947‑1 Martindale)
Method:	The specimen is rubbed against standard abrasive paper under a 9kPa pressure. The test stops when a hole is worn through.
Equipment:	Martindale Abrasion Tester
Performance Levels:	Levels 1-4 based on cycles: 1: 100 cycles 2: 500 cycles 3: 2000 cycles 4: 8000 cycles
Principle:	Wear durability under repeated friction; higher cycles = better resistance.
Specimen:	4 circular specimens (diameter 38mm) from palm/fingers;
2, Cut Resistance (two kinds methods)
2.1, Coup Test (Rotating Blade)
Method:	The blade rotates while moving laterally across the specimen under a 5N force. The index is calculated by comparing cycles needed to cut through the glove sample vs. a reference fabric. 45 mm circular blade (5 rpm, 5 N load) cuts specimen; index = (sample cycles / reference cycles) × 10.
Equipment:	Couptest / CoupTest apparatus with a rotating blade.
Performance Levels:	Levels 1-5 based on Index: 1: 1.2 ≤ index < 2.5 2: 2.5 ≤ index < 5.0 3: 5.0 ≤ index < 10.0 4: 10.0 ≤ index < 20.0 5: index ≥ 20.0
Principle:	Measures the number of cycles needed for a rotating circular blade under a fixed load to cut through the specimen.
Specimen:	2 rectangular specimens; Length 60mm, Width 100mm, used for conventional materials (leather, cotton).
2.2, ISO 13997 (TDM‑100 Linear Blade Cut Test):
Method:	20 mm blade moves at 100 mm/min; force to cut 20 mm length recorded.
Equipment:	TDM‑100 Linear Cut Tester / TDM (Tomodynamometer) machine with a straight blade.
Performance Levels:	A (2 N) – F (30 N). Reported as a force in Newtons (e.g., TDM 30N) directly. Replaces the Couptest index if used.
Principle:	The blade is drawn across the specimen with increasing force until a 20mm cut is achieved. The force required is the result.
Specimen:	2 rectangular specimens; mandatory for high‑performance materials (Kevlar, Dyneema) to avoid blade dulling.
3, Tear Resistance Test
Method:	The two legs of the specimen are gripped and pulled apart at a constant speed of 100 mm/min. The average maximum force to continue tearing is recorded.
Equipment:	Universal Tensile Tester (force range 0‑100 N, accuracy ±1%). Tear test fixture.
Performance Levels:	Levels 1-4 based on force (Newtons): 1: 10N ≤ force < 25N 2: 25N ≤ force < 50N 3: 50N ≤ force < 75N 4: force ≥ 75N
Principle:	Resistance to crack propagation from initial damage.
Specimen:	A "trouser-shaped" specimen with a pre-cut nick.
4. Puncture Resistance Test (Blunt Probe)
Method:	As per EN 863. A steel blunt conical probe (1mm tip, 4.5mm diameter, 30° cone) is driven through the specimen at 100 mm/min. The maximum force is recorded.
Equipment:	Tensile testing machine with EN 863 fixture and probe. clamping ring (≥45 mm ID).
Performance Levels:	Levels 1-4 based on force (Newtons): 1: 20N ≤ force < 60N 2: 60N ≤ force < 100N 3: 100N ≤ force < 150N 4: force ≥ 150N
Principle:	Resistance to blunt puncture (e.g., nails, metal shavings).
Specimen:	A or round , flat sample from the palm. the diameter should large than 40mm.
5, Optional Impact Protection (EN 13594)
Method:	Weight (5 kg, 500 mm drop) impacts back‑of‑hand protector; transmitted force measured.
Equipment:	Drop tester with a standardized striker and force sensor.
Performance Levels:	“P” indicates gloves reduce impact force to ≤7 kN. No “P” = untested .
Principle:	Weight (5 kg, 500 mm drop) impacts back‑of‑hand protector; transmitted force measured.
Specimen:	The complete glove, mounted on a hand-shaped last.

Test Application:

EN 388 applies to all types of gloves where mechanical risks are the primary concern, including:

General-purpose work gloves (e.g., for construction, warehousing).

Specialized cut-resistant gloves (e.g., for metal handling, glass, food processing).

Gloves for mechanics and assembly workers.

Related standard of EN 388:

Standard	Relationship	Key Difference
EN 863	Complementary: Puncture resistance (sharp spike)	EN 863 uses sharp spike; EN 388 uses blunt probe
ISO 13997	Normative reference: Linear cut test	Mandatory for high‑performance cut materials in EN 388
EN 407	Thermal protection; references EN 388 for mechanical tests	EN 407 adds flame, contact heat protection
EN 455	Medical gloves; EN 388 used for material qualification	EN 455 focuses on biocompatibility, barrier properties
ASTM F2992	US equivalent: Linear cut test for gloves	ASTM uses different blade geometry; EN 388 is European harmonized
EN 13594	Optional impact protection; referenced in EN 388:2016+A1	Defines back‑of‑hand impact test method

Importance for the Protective Gloves Industry:

Universal Benchmark & Common Language: It provides a globally recognized, objective framework for comparing the mechanical performance of gloves from any manufacturer. A Level 4 cut resistance means the same in Germany as it does in Japan.

Basis for Legal Sale (CE Marking): In the EU/UK and many other regions adopting similar conformity systems, EN 388 is a "harmonized standard." Passing its tests is the primary pathway for a glove manufacturer to affix the CE mark, which is a legal requirement for selling gloves as PPE. It demonstrates compliance with the essential health and safety requirements of the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425.

Drives Innovation & Quality: The quantified performance levels push manufacturers to develop and use better materials (e.g., high-performance fibers like HPPE, aramid, metal/composite threads) and superior construction techniques to achieve higher ratings.

Empowers Informed Selection: The simple pictogram allows safety managers, procurement officers, and end-users to match the glove's certified performance to the specific hazards of a task. This enables risk-based selection, moving beyond guesswork to data-driven safety.

Enhances User Trust & Safety: By providing clear, tested performance claims, it reduces the risk of under-protection. Workers can have greater confidence that their gloves will perform as expected against documented hazards, directly contributing to injury prevention.

WDW Series Computer Control Electronic Universal Testing Machine made by UNITEDTEST range from 100N to 600KN load capacity with various models like single columns, table type, door frame type etc., is used to perform tension, compression, flexure/bending, shearing, peeling etc., test for metal and nonmetal specimens. Matched with UNITEDTEST design and produced various test fixture, like peel, flexure, puncture, tear, pneumatic grip, belt tension etc., this UTM can be used to almost all materials include but not limited to steel rod, rubber, steel wire, plastic, seat belt, textile, wood, panel etc., mechanical performance inspection.

Puncture Test Fixture is a standardized attachment for constant-rate-of-traverse (CRT) tensile testing machines, used to determine the bursting strength of textile fabrics by forcing a polished steel ball through a clamped specimen at a constant rate until rupture.

Tear fixture ASTM D1004, vise grip or self-tightening roller grips are the most popular for this application and the least expensive. They can be provided with a rubber faced surface to measure the tear resistance strength of flexible plastic film and sheeting.

Martindale Abrasion Tester simulates real-world wear and friction in a controlled, accelerated manner to predict a material's durability and appearance retention over time. suitable for testing the abrasion resistance and pilling tendency of knitted fabrics, woolen fabrics.

Glove/Footwear Cut Resistance Tester is a specialized instrument designed to objectively measure the resistance of protective materials, or PPE personal protective equipment (like those used in gloves, sleeves, and footwear components) to cutting by sharp edges, typically blades.

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