Views: 3 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-09 Origin: Site
Chainmail gloves represent a specific category of hand protection designed for environments where sharp blades, knives, or other implements pose a significant laceration and puncture hazard. Unlike gloves made from high-performance fibers, chainmail gloves utilize a mesh of metal rings to provide a physical barrier against cuts.
1. Material Composition and Manufacturing
The protective quality of chainmail gloves is primarily determined by the material used in the rings:
Stainless Steel: The most common material, valued for its corrosion resistance and strength. Types 304 and 316 stainless steel are widely used, with 316 offering enhanced resistance to corrosive environments, such as those found in food processing.
Galvanized or Nickel-Plated Steel: These coatings provide a degree of rust resistance and can reduce friction, allowing for smoother hand movement. However, the coating may wear over time, potentially exposing the base metal to corrosion.
The rings are typically assembled through a riveted or flat-ring construction. Riveted rings, where each ring is closed with a small rivet, offer high strength and prevent the mesh from opening under force. Flat-ring maille, where rings are flattened after weaving, provides a smoother surface that reduces snagging.
2. Understanding Cut Resistance Performance: ANSI/ISEA and EN388
The performance of cut-resistant gloves is quantitatively measured against international standards. It is important to understand that chainmail gloves are tested and rated like any other cut-resistant glove.
ANSI/ISEA 105:2016: This American standard assigns a cut protection level from A1 to A9 based on the weight in grams required to cut through the material during a specific test (CPT Tester). Chainmail gloves typically achieve high ratings, often ANSI Cut Level 4 or 5, indicating they can withstand between 1,500 to 2,499 grams of cutting force, or Level 5 for 2,500+ grams.
EN388:2016: The European standard includes a coup test for cut resistance (rated from A to F) and a new test method (ISO 13997) for high-performance materials. Chainmail gloves, due to their rigid structure, usually achieve a high rating (e.g., Level F on the ISO 13997 scale).
It is critical to note that while chainmail offers exceptional cut and puncture resistance (typically achieving the highest score of 4 in the EN388 puncture test), its flexibility and impact protection may be lower than other types of gloves. A Task-Based Risk Assessment (TBRA) is always recommended to select the most appropriate protection.
3. Primary Industrial Applications
The specific properties of chainmail gloves make them suitable for several high-hazard industries:
Food Processing and Meatpacking: Particularly in manual deboning, cutting, and trimming operations where workers handle sharp knives continuously. The easy-to-clean surface and corrosion-resistant materials (like 316 stainless steel) are essential here.
Metal Fabrication and Stamping: Handling sharp sheet metal, blanks, and stamped parts presents significant laceration risks that chainmail gloves are designed to mitigate.
Glass Manufacturing and Handling: The puncture resistance of the metal mesh protects workers from sharp glass shards and edges.
Woodworking: While less common than in metalwork, they are used in specific carving or cutting tasks where blade contact is likely.
Considerations for Use
Chainmail gloves do not provide protection against extreme heat, cold, or electrical hazards. They can be heavier and less dexterous than fiber-based gloves, which may contribute to operator fatigue during prolonged use. For tasks requiring fine motor skills, a thorough assessment of the trade-off between protection and dexterity is necessary.
Hebei Linchuan Safety Protective Equipment Co., LTD produces chainmail gloves designed to meet the demanding requirements of these industries. Our products are manufactured using quality stainless steel and constructed to provide reliable protection against cut and puncture hazards as defined by recognized international standards.
Conclusion
Chainmail gloves are a specialized form of personal protective equipment (PPE) with a clear purpose. Selection should be based on a objective evaluation of the specific hazards present, informed by standardized performance data, and integrated into a comprehensive workplace safety program.
References
International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA). (2016). *ANSI/ISEA 105-2016: American National Standard for Hand Protection Selection Criteria*.
European Committee for Standardization (CEN). (2016). EN 388:2016: Protective gloves against mechanical risks.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO). (1999). ISO 13997:1999: Protective clothing — Mechanical properties — Determination of resistance to cutting by sharp objects.
