Chainmail Short Gloves Factory

Chainmail Short Gloves: Materials, Manufacturing, and Application in Hand Protection

Introduction

Hand protection is a critical consideration in industrial settings where workers are exposed to laceration and puncture hazards. Among the specialized solutions available, chainmail short gloves offer a balance of dexterity and protection for tasks that require fine motor skills. Hebei Linchuan Safety Protective Equipment Co., LTD manufactures these gloves using defined processes and material specifications to meet the needs of various industries. This article provides a detailed examination of the design, production, and functional characteristics of chainmail short gloves.

1. Design Rationale and Key Specifications

Chainmail short gloves are characterized by their coverage, typically extending to the mid-palm or wrist, leaving the fingers exposed. This design is intentional for applications where fingertip sensitivity and flexibility are paramount. Key specifications include:

• Coverage Area: Protects the palmar region, back of the hand, and the wrist, while leaving the phalanges (fingers) uncovered.

• Standard Sizes: Typically offered in a range of sizes (e.g., Small, Medium, Large, XL) to ensure a proper fit, which is crucial for both comfort and safety.

• Weight: The weight of a single short glove generally ranges from 150 to 300 grams, depending on the material and ring size. This reduced weight, compared to full-finger models, helps minimize hand fatigue during prolonged use.

2. Material Composition and Performance Data

The protective quality of the glove is determined by the material of the chainmail rings. The two primary materials used are:

• Stainless Steel: This is the most common material due to its resistance to corrosion and oxidation.

• Grades: Grade 304 is standard for most environments, including food processing. Grade 316 is utilized for enhanced resistance to chlorides and acids.

• Wire Diameter: The steel wire used typically has a diameter between 0.7 mm and 1.0 mm. Thicker wire within this range offers increased cut resistance but may slightly reduce flexibility.

• Galvanized Carbon Steel: This material provides a cost-effective option for environments where moisture-induced corrosion is not a primary concern.

• Tensile Strength: The base carbon steel wire often has a tensile strength exceeding 1000 MPa.

• Coating: The zinc coating, applied via a hot-dip process, provides a protective layer against rust.

The cut resistance performance is often evaluated using standardized tests. Gloves manufactured from these materials can achieve performance levels consistent with ANSI/ISEA 105 Cut Level A2 to A4, depending on the specific construction and material grade.

3. The Manufacturing Process: A Step-by-Step Overview

The production of chainmail short gloves involves a combination of automation and skilled manual work.

• Step 1: Ring Formation. Metal wire is coiled and cut to form individual rings. The standard internal diameter for rings in short gloves is 6 mm or 8 mm.

• Step 2: Weaving. The rings are interlocked in a European 4-in-1 pattern (each ring connects four others) to form a flat, flexible mesh. This weaving process is often done by specialized machines and assembled by technicians to shape the glove.

• Step 3: Finishing. The woven mesh glove undergoes a tumbling process for several hours. This deburrs the rings, smooths rough edges, and work-hardens the metal, which can improve its durability.

• Step 4: Lining and Cuff Attachment. Many models include an internal lining, such as a Kevlar® or high-performance polyethylene liner, to provide an additional barrier against fine slivers and to improve comfort. A leather or reinforced fabric cuff is often attached to the wrist area to prevent debris from entering the glove and to provide a secure fit.

4. Primary Industrial Applications

The design of chainmail short gloves makes them suitable for specific tasks where blade handling is routine, but full finger protection is not required. Common applications include:

• Food Processing: Used in butcheries and meat deboning operations where sharp knives are used, and fingertip control is necessary for precision cutting.

• Metal Stamping and Fabrication: Protects workers' hands from sharp edges on sheet metal and stamped parts during handling and inspection.

• Glass and Ceramics Handling: Provides protection against cuts from sharp edges of glass panes or ceramic pieces.

• Waste Recycling and Sorting: Shields hands from sharp objects concealed in material streams.

5. Considerations for Use and Limitations

Understanding the limitations of any PPE is essential for ensuring worker safety.

• Impact and Crush Hazards: Chainmail gloves do not provide significant protection against impact or crushing forces.

• Entanglement Risk: As with any loose-fitting glove, there is a potential, though low, for entanglement with rotating machinery. A proper risk assessment is necessary before use in such environments.

• Electrical Conductivity: Being metal, these gloves are conductive and must never be used near live electrical components or wiring.

• Maintenance and Inspection: Gloves should be inspected before each use for broken or damaged links. They should be cleaned and sanitized regularly according to the manufacturer's guidelines, especially in food industry applications.

Conclusion

Chainmail short gloves represent a specialized category of hand protection, engineered for a specific set of laceration hazards. The manufacturing process at Hebei Linchuan Safety Protective Equipment Co., LTD focuses on material consistency, precise weaving, and thorough finishing to produce gloves that meet defined performance standards. By selecting the appropriate material and size, and adhering to guidelines for use and maintenance, these gloves can serve as an effective component in a comprehensive workplace safety program.

References

1. American National Standards Institute/International Safety Equipment Association (ANSI/ISEA). (2016). *ANSI/ISEA 105-2016: American National Standard for Hand Protection Selection Criteria*.

2. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). (2015). *ASTM F2992-15: Standard Test Method for Measuring Cut Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing with TDM-1000 Test Coupon*.

3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2008). Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standards, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I.

4. Hebei Linchuan Safety Protective Equipment Co., LTD. (2023). Product Specification Sheets and Quality Control Documentation for Chainmail Gloves Series.