The state-of-the-art Technology Cantre laboratories at BM Polyco are equipped to carry out a range or tests on protective safety gloves. The chemical and physical test laboratories are accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Services) to ISO 17025.
EN374-2 Determination of Resistance to Penetration
This is the reference test specified by the European Standard for the assessment of safety glove quality. Safety gloves must pass this test in order to prove that they are an effective barrier against liquids and micro-organisms.
A slolistical sample taken from a batch of safety gloves is subject to checks for pinholes and leaks by either inflation with air or by filling with water. Performance levels are assessed according to the acceptable quality levels (AQL) of the safety gloves. Safety gloves must meet at least level 2 of EN374-2 to be considered micro-organism resistant.
EN374-3 Determination of Resistance to Permeation by Chemicals
Resstance to permeation is assessed by measuring the time for a chemical to break through the safety glove material. Samples, cut from the palms of safety gloves, are placed in a permeation cell which enables the chemical to be placed in contact with the outer surface of the safety gloves. Collection air or water is passed through the cell to collect any chemical that has broken through to the inside surface of the safety glove sample. Polyco laboratories are equipped with a FTIR spectrometer to detect solvents, conductivity/pH electrodes | to detect acids, alkalis and solts | and UV/Visible spectrophotometer | to detect high boiling point, water soluble chemicals and solvents. To carry the chemical pictogram, (IMAGE) products must now meet at least performance level 2 when tested against three of the following chemicals:
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