New test method for assessing glove grip

SATRA Technology Centre has published two new test methods relating to glove grip. SATRA TM437 covers finger and thumb 'pinch grip' and SATRA TM438 provides a method of testing whole hand grip.

Satra says this new protocol will not only provide manufacturers and retailers with the exact information they have been looking for, but will also provide end users with the most appropriate kind of glove for their trade.

It has long been recognised that good glove grip is an important consideration for glove users.

Operability and even safety can be compromised by gloves with poor grip characteristics.

However, until now, widely available substantive glove grip tests have been unavailable to many glove manufacturers and users. While current glove standards concentrate on protective properties, glove grip assessment is either nonexistent or limited to basic dexterity testing.

The new SATRA test methods are intended to fill this gap, having been developed in response to a demand from within the glove industry for better defined, practical tests and are the result of a collaborative research programme with leading industry manufacturers.

Both SATRA grip tests can be applied to a wide range of gloves, from fine textile or latex products to heavy-duty industrial gloves. Both tests are designed to compare the grip performance of gloves before and after surface contaminants are applied. By combining the two different test methods an overall result for wholeglove grip testing can be achieved.

Using a combination of objective testing (force data produced from load cells within the test equipment) and user comments on glove performance, SATRA's tests are intended to aid manufacturers' development programmes and substantiate any claims made, as well as enabling end-users to better select the correct glove material for the job in hand.

It is expected that manufacturers and users will specify these tests as part of overall glove suitability specifications as well as to satisfy safety legislation - for instance to support CE marking for the European market to demonstrate fitness for purpose and comply with either the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive 89/686/EEC or the Mechanical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC.

SATRA test methods are highly regarded and can be found in many procurement specifications including those of the military.

Anyone interested in obtaining copies of SATRA TM437 and SATRA TM 438 should contact Gill Tillin at SATRA (gillt@satra.co.uk).

For grip testing, research or development of protective gloves at SATRA contact Tom Bayes (email tomb@satra.co.uk ).