Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Gloves: A Categorical Breakdown

Any garment which accurately covers the hand is termed as a glove. Derived from the old English world “glof”, gloves protect and comfort our hands against cold or heat, damage by friction, abrasion or chemicals, and disease; or in turn to provide a guard for what a bare hand should not touch.

Although, several types of gloves have been developed for protection against a variety of surfaces, a chief category of gloves can be generated on the glove’s ability to withstand flame or intense heat. Firefighting gloves, developed specifically for this purpose, offers protection against intense amount of heat. The main objective of such a glove is to ensure that a firefighter hands can survive the toughest of the heat. In order to attain this objective, Firefighting gloves are developed from quality flame resistant meta-aramid materials, providing flame resistant properties to the these gloves. Although, the primary material used in a firefighting glove is Dupont’s Nomex fibre, which incorporates flame retardant capabilities in them. The knit structure of these gloves are very tight, hence offering excellent protection from flame, snags, runs and cuts.

Another category of gloves which are generated uniquely on their property of resistance towards cutting, are called Cut resistant gloves. These can be divided into metal mesh gloves, cut and sewn and seamless knitted gloves. Metal mesh gloves are made of rings of stainless steel and are typically used in food applications. The cut and sewn gloves can be made by a cut resistance material or by conventional materials with full or palm lining of cut resistance materials. The materials are cut to pieces and sewn into a glove. Seamless knitted gloves are knitted in one piece by a flat knitting machine. The materials that provide the cut resistant gloves the said property comprise mostly of high performance Para aramid (Twaron, Kevlar), HPPE (High Performance Poly Ethylene), special PVA yarns (SupraBlock) or steelfibre yarns.

Another unique category of gloves comprise of gloves containing nomex fibre and polymers. These Nomex gloves and related aramid polymers gloves are related to nylon, but have aromatic backbones, and hence are more rigid and more durable, providing excellent thermal, chemical, and radiation resistance. Nomex is sold in both fiber and sheet forms and is used as a fabric wherever resistance from heat and flame is required. Hence, as stated before, the primary material in any firefighting glove is a Nomex fibre. Infact, Nomex is placed on the head on top of a firefighter's face mask. Even Military pilots and aircrew wear flight suits made of over 92 percent Nomex to protect them from the possibility of cockpit fires and other mishaps.

Hence, we can conclude that several types of gloves exist in the market for different kinds of surfaces, offering protection against different kinds of hazards. One can visit http://www.tsgloves.com/ for checking out these different kinds of high quality firefighting gloves and Cut Resistant gloves, all made from high grade materials such as NOMEX.

Gloves: A Detailed Summary

Gloves are common items that are used to protect our hands against hazards. Designed in the shape of a hand, there are separate sheaths for each individual finger. There are basically two types of gloves: with finger divisions and the other without finger division. The gloves which do not have openings for fingers are commonly termed as mittens.

Different types of gloves are manufactured for various different applications or purposes. They serve as an essential part of security in the form of Military Gloves. Gloves meant for defense purposes offer excellent dexterity and durability, having the ability to withstand any weather changes. They mainly comprise of Nomex (for fire resistance) and Kevlar (for thickness). A softer version of Military gloves is the ones used by the police. These gloves are softer than there Military gloves counterparts, and are generally used in internal security issues or crime scene investigations. Gloves used by police are hence made from low weight materials such as Softshell.

There are also Riot Control gloves which are able to withstand huge amount of shock and hence are ideal for urban combat scenarios. Riot Control gloves comprise of materials such as High Performance Polyethylene (HPPE) or ArmorTex, to give that extra bit of protection against shock.

Next comes are Gloves for protection against mechanical hazards. For measuring this particular level of protection, several European Standards have been developed. EN388 GLOVES and EN13594 GLOVES comprise of two common standard gloves developed for measuring protection against mechanical hazards. A higher EN388 rating means that the glove is more protective against abrasion, cut, tear and puncture. Hence, for every EN388 glove, a pictogram is generated for representation of its resistivity. EN13594 gloves are more inclined towards motorcycle bikers and resistance against rubbing.

The practical application of EN388 and EN13594 gloves can be found in gloves specially designed to resist punctures & cuts. Gloves like those which resist puncture have higher EN388 and EN13594 standards. These can withstand large amount of pressure at a particular point & are generally manufactured from fabrics which are very tightly woven to prevent any kind of penetration. On the other hand, gloves effective against cuts offer protection against pressure changes at the entire surface of the glove. The fabrics are hence knitted by a flat knitting machine to evenly distribute the materials on the entire surface such gloves.

Another unique glove is Firefighter’s gloves, which is characterized by their very high resistance to flames and extended durability. Nomex fibre and other variety of Nomex gloves serve as the ideal material for these Firefighter’s gloves. In fact, Nomex gloves serve as the primary glove for protection against intense amount of heat.

To conclude, we can say that gloves have formed an integral part of our protection, and serve in protecting our hands against a variety of hazards. To get an enhanced detailed description of all varieties of gloves and its underlying applications, one can visit http://www.tsgloves.com/.

Defensive Applications and Uses of Gloves

Military gloves, as the word goes, are used extensively in all the Military branches of a country. These gloves are characterized by their high tendency to absorb shock. They have a superior grip, and offer superior comfort and protection against all types of hazards encountered during military procedures. All of these Military gloves internal schematics comprise mainly of 92% Nomex (fire retardant material), 5% Kevlar fiber (cut resistance) and 3% P140 anti-static fiber (for safety around fuels, explosives and electronics). Many military gloves adopt tanning technology, which keeps the leather soft and supple for the life of the glove even after repeated exposure to perspiration or moisture. Concealed interior seam stitching using para-aramid thread enhances durability of the military gloves, especially around vulnerable finger tips.

Military gloves are so designed such as they are completely wind and waterproof, but permeable for water vapor. Hence, water from the outside will never penetrate, cold winds cannot pass through and perspiration can escape easily. Therefore, they can withstand any kind of scenario, be it close combat (army), air resistance (air force) or water resistance (navy), hence the name.

One of the variants of such gloves is the standard Police gloves. Offered for internal security, Police gloves are generally soft, abrasion resistant and are made from low weight material providing extended range of motion, high breathability, waterproof and windproof qualities, making it fit for all weather conditions. Their main feature lies in the fact that they have advanced puncture and cut protection, with a great deal of hypodermic needle protection, hence making the such gloves highly durable in urban scenarios. It’s a no wonder that Police gloves have generally a high EN 388 standard, for protection against various mechanical hazards.

A special type of protective glove comes in the form of Riot Control Gloves. These Riot Control Gloves are characterized by their extremely high durability and ability to withstand huge amount of shock, wear and tear. These protective gloves are so designed so as to protect the operator against various bodily injuries during close contact with potentially violent inmates, as well as in riot and civil disturbance situations. Hence, Riot Control gloves have mainly hard padded knuckles and wrists with reinforced palms to deflect blows and debris.

Hence, to conclude, we can say that over the widespread uses and applications the gloves find into, none can match the defensive capabilities it offers. Used in all branches of military in possibly every country, Military and Army gloves find its unparalleled uses in a country’s defense. And not only Military and Army gloves, even Riot Control Gloves and Police Gloves form an integral part of a country’s internal military structure and control. Hence, it’s a mandatory procedure for every country to select these military applicable gloves of proper quality and standard. In this regard, one can visit http://www.tsgloves.com/ for viewing a widespread collection of high quality Military, Army, Police and Riot Control gloves.

All About Nomex Gloves and their Manufacturing

Gloves form an integral part and parcel of our society, serving as the top priority in the Personal Protective Environment. Each type of glove serves a very specific need of protection, be it protection against fire (firefighter’s gloves), or protection against mechanical hazards (EN 388 gloves), gloves exist for them all. However, for each type of glove, there exists a separate material configuration. While for basic type of gloves, process and materials remain more or less the same, but for specialized gloves, such as those of quality firefighter’s gloves or MILITARY GLOVES, a special material is used.

The special material in question that is used in protective gloves is a special polymer called Nomex. Nomex gloves are a registered trademark for flame resistant meta-aramid material developed in the early 1960s by DuPont and first marketed in 1967. Nomex and related aramid polymers are related to nylon, but have aromatic backbones, and hence are more rigid and more durable. Nomex is the premier example of a meta variant of the aramids. Nomex gloves are heat-resistant, flame-resistant and also offer protection against chemical products and are ideal to protect against flames, electric arch and extreme temperatures. Nomex gloves maintain body temperature at comfortable levels, will not burn or melt in contact with flames, thus avoiding burn injuries to the hand. Nomex gloves are thermally stable and therefore preserve the dimensions of the glove. To sum up, Nomex gloves have excellent thermal, chemical, and radiation resistance.

The application of Nomex and related Nomex gloves are found in almost all professional and military endeavour. Race car drivers wear driving suits constructed of Nomex and or other fire retardant materials, along with Nomex gloves, balaclavas, socks, and shoes to protect them in the event of a fire. However, the most useful application of Nomex lies in manufacturing of Firefighter’s Gloves. Firefighter’s Gloves are needed to process and withstand intense amount of heat, and for that reason, it comprises Nomex. To preserve Firefighting gloves’s dexterity, sometimes Thermolite is also used as a material.

Another application of Nomex gloves is in the manufacturing of Military gloves. It is not only need to withstand large amount of heat, but also must be able to protect the wearer’s hand in all extreme weather conditions. Hence, Military gloves comprises of 92% Nomex, with an extra 5% Kevlar fiber (cut resistance) and 3% P140 anti-static fiber (for safety around fuels, explosives and electronics). Almost all Military gloves have high EN 388 standards to preserve top quality and withstand hazards. It may also comprise Teflon for durability and Softshell for dexterity.

Hence, to conclude, we can say that gloves are made from various types of materials such as latex, cloth, knitted or felted wool, leather, rubber, neoprene, and metal. However, for specialized gloves such as firefighter’s gloves or military gloves, we use Nomex as a primary material. A nice catalogue of these specialized gloves can be found in http://www.tsgloves.com/.

Gloves: The Basic Safety Standards

We know that gloves comprises of several types and categories, designed to tailor a specific need or requirement of the user. However, gloves main purpose is protection, and in that regard, the Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) has different kinds of European Standards (EN) for measuring and dividing the available gloves and other PPEs into separate categories. These divisions are primarily done in accordance with the requirements that these PPEs fulfill.

Although there are many standards available for gloves, the primary standard that is most widely accepted is an EN388 standard glove. These European Standard 388 gloves are characterized by their ability to withstand severe mechanical hazards such as Abrasion, cut, tear and puncture. Therefore, we can say that EN388 is a European standard designed to assess the performance of a fabric or layers of fabric for their ability to resist heavy rubbing, cutting by a blade or sharp object, tearing, and puncture by a pointed object. The test procedure includes a separate test for each of these properties, and a performance level is awarded according to each test result, for example a material with an abrasion resistance of between 100 and 500 cycles would be awarded level 1. The testing procedure is rigorous; with multitudes of blade cut and the puncture tests associated with EN388. A pictogram scaling is finally generated based on the results, which gives an accurate description of the total mechanical resistance offered by EN 388 tested standard gloves.

One such prime example of EN 388 tested gloves are Puncture Resistance gloves. These gloves denote the relative ability of the glove to stop the increase of a tear once it has been pierced by a cut or a nick. Puncture resistance gloves can be obtained through very tight woven fabrics, small ceramic plates in fabric coating or tight woven fabrics with a coating of hard crystals.

Another standard comprises EN13594 GLOVES. The EN13594 gloves fit into a separate unique category of users comprising of professional motorbikers. These gloves for motorbikers are designed to protect against weather conditions while maintaining user’s dexterity and ability to manage switches and controls. In addition, these EN13594 gloves will protect hands and wrists against mechanical hazards in the event of an accident. Most frequent motorcycle accidents will involve collision, against other vehicles, pavement or elements like posts, etc, hence we need an EN13594 standard glove to withstand paramount amount of rubbing and high friction. These gloves are Category 2, meaning that EN13594 gloves are of intermediate design, and are used in situations where the risk is not classified as minimal or irreversible.

To conclude, we can say that the standardized testing procedures, precisely EN 388 and EN 13594 standards, offers a way to compare the performance of PPE products. These standards have significantly improved the ability of safety managers to select appropriate PPE. To compare the different EN 388 and EN 13594 gloves, one can visit http://www.tsgloves.com/ for an accurate pictogram representation of a variety of selection.

Cut resistant gloves, say no to scratches

There are a number of professions that involve high risk from knifes and blades at every moment. Wearing a pair of gloves is a must for these professionals. But any kind of gloves will not serve the purpose. There are special gloves which are made of such ingredients that resist cuts and scratches. These are known as cut resistant gloves, a must for those who have to deal with sharp weapons and tools.

Cut resistant gloves can be of different types based on their capacity. Level 1 cut resistant glove can take pressure of at the most 200 grams. But gloves of higher level can easily handle the weight of 3.5 kilogram. These cut resistant gloves are made of different materials. Low level cut resistant gloves are apt for jobs that need to handle with knives but does not entail constant cutting. These gloves can take a considerable amount of weight. At the same time they will protect the hands from scratches and cuts. Then again, these gloves are available in variety of designs and cuts.

On the other hand, high level cut resistant gloves are apt for jobs that include high risk from knives and blades. Police gloves are often made cut resistant as the routine duty of the policemen includes searche and investigation which may come up with sharp needles and knives. Tactical gloves are also cut resistant. But, if the job needs constant cutting, cut resistant gloves must be your choice as these gloves concentrate on the quality of cut resistance specifically.

But choosing a wrong level may become a major hindrance to work. Suppose, a level 1 police glove is enough for a particular job. But if a person gets a level V glove for that, it will be cumbersome for him to work as the high level gloves will restrict the agility of the hand. At the same time getting a low level glove for a work which needs high protection can leave the hands injured. So getting the right kind of gloves is very necessary.

The first step of this process is to decide which type of gloves is actually needed. If the job description makes it evident that no other gloves apart from cut resistant one will suffice the purpose, then the level has to be decided. This step is considered as the most vital in the entire process of getting gloves for your job.

Understanding the need and the type of the work is quite necessary. If a pair of gloves suits perfectly, there is nothing like that. Huge amount of work can be accomplished with the smooth operation and support of the gloves. But, most often people complain that they are not being able to work properly after wearing a pair of gloves. But that should not be the case. A pair of gloves, no matter what its characteristic is should provide optimum comfort.

Gearing up with army gloves

Military personnel or army officials without gloves is simply an unimaginable idea. A pair of sturdy gloves forms an inseparable part of the military uniform as challenging situations are also part and parcel of an army man’s life.

There are quite a number of reasons for which gloves are worn. A pair of gloves keeps the hands clean and safe. It protects the hand from any sudden attack. At the same time, it enables the hands to bear with the heavy weight of weapons without injuring the hands. All these reasons make it conspicuous that an army person cannot simply do away with gloves. But not all gloves will live up to the challenging life of an army man. So specially designed army gloves are something that every army man’s wardrobe must boast of.

Going by types, tactical gloves, puncture gloves or cut resistant gloves—all these gloves are strong and resistant against odds. But, experts say, that army men need different kinds of gloves which are designed specially for them, keeping in mind the challenges of their job. Army men are expected to carry heavy weight weapons which may result in knuckles in hands. Even normal gloves are not adept enough to prevent knuckles. But military gloves or army gloves are made knuckle proof, slash proof and cut resistant.

But these army gloves are not equal to knuckle proof or cut resistant gloves. It is not only this resistance that the army gloves should offer. These gloves must provide a strong grip over the weapons and agility for fast movement. Riot gloves also need these characteristics.

At the same time the comfort factor should be kept in mind. Most often it is found that to provide strength and resistance army gloves become cumbersome and tough to handle with. But, that should not be the case with the manufacturers. The professions which need its workers to wear gloves on duty involve the hands to a great extent. So, it is quite necessary to protect the hands. At the same time, it is evident that those professions involve a great deal of hand pressure. So, wearing gloves one has to be able to deliver his perfectly. Otherwise, the purpose of gloves will be lost.

There are a number of companies which assure comfortable and strong army gloves. Among these Camelback gloves has already made a name in the gloves industry. Generally the manufacturers do not deeply know the nitty-gritty of the professions which need their staffs to wear gloves. But with cutting edge competition, new ideas are thought out every day. So, consultation with the professionals before designing such gloves has almost become a mandate for the manufacturers.

Knowing the demands minutely helps to produce army gloves according to the need. But apart from the visual appearance of the gloves, it must give an unbeatable sense of comfort.

Tactical Gloves, the best way to protect your hands on duty

A pair of gloves can ensure safety to your hands if you have to deal with heavy work load on a regular basis. There are a number of companies manufacturing special purpose gloves to meet such purposes. Tactical gloves are one of these special gloves that enjoy a high demand from military and police men.

It is almost evident that the policemen or the military men need different type of protection for their hands than the factory workers. There are special police gloves meant for the police personnel. There are cut resistance gloves too for some specific purposes. But tactical gloves can serve more than a single purpose and that is why this should be the first choice of the military and police personnel in general.

Tactical gloves are multi tasking. So, if you want to prevent your hands from sweating you can choose one from the large assortment available under the segment of tactical gloves. If your duty needs you to have a firm grip, you can get that too in a pair of tactical gloves. You just need to understand your need and specify that to the manufacture. Then it is only a matter of few minutes to get a good pair of gloves.

At the time of buying gloves, ensure the fact that the gloves are comfortable and allow your hands to breathe easily. Tactical gloves are called tactical because these are high performers, different from the general gloves.

Most often these tactical gloves are made as cut resistant gloves because these tactical gloves are used for a variety of purposes. It is not only protection for which these gloves are sought for. But, military men look for proper grip when they buy a pair of tactical gloves. The question of safety entirely depends on the type of work that the personnel are assigned to. Now, it has been observed that the type of the work never continues to be the same. Changing gloves according to the type of the work is simply an improbable idea. That is why tactical gloves are now being manufactured with multiplicity and innovation. These pairs of gloves are eligible to provide safety, grip and comfort at the same time.

Comfort has been given a priority in tactical gloves or police gloves because these gloves have to be worn for a quite longer time. The material with which the gloves are generally made of, are sensitive to weather. So, previously the gloves caused profuse sweating and resultant irritation. But now, these gloves are made comfortable so that the military official does not feel that he is carrying an additional hand gear and does not feel the need to dispense with it.

A trendy pair of tactical gloves provides protection to the police officers during mob controlling too. Such a pair of police gloves is equipped with knuckle pads and is made cut resilience. This ensures that the hands will escape injuries from sharp weapons and heavy attacks.

Police gloves, ideal buy for policemen

The gloves that you wear on winter days are certainly not apt for the policemen. They need gloves which will be able to provide their hands optimum protection in any kind of emergency situation. There are a number of tactical gloves designed to perform a number of tasks. But, police gloves are specially designed keeping in mind the exigency of the job of a police man.

A police man needs to handle weapons. So a strong grip is what all the policemen look for in a pair of gloves. At the same time, the pair will be comfortable to wear for longer time. Yet, it should be strong enough to resist puncture and similar kind of attacks as well as wounds.

The job of a police man involves wide search and investigation. The products that a policeman is generally looking for are nowhere near to be innocent. So, it has to be ensured that the police gloves will provide necessary protection from suspicious objects. Among these objects there are sharp blades and knifes. So, basically the police gloves must be cut resistant gloves. Puncture gloves i.e. puncture resistant gloves and slash proof gloves also make good police gloves.

There are a number of companies manufacturing high quality police gloves. It is generally believed that the more expensive gloves are safer. But actually, the performance comes with experience in this field. Consultation with the defense people to know their safety needs is a way to manufacture the best of the police gloves.

A good pair of police glove should not restrict the movement of police personnel. Rather, they must always allow the hands to remain agile to move swiftly. This is a vital fact that the manufacturers always keep in mind. Still before buying make sure, the one that you are buying must allow you freedom of movement.

Experts say, a police glove should be strong and sturdy. But this toughness should not be felt by the users. Rather, the person who is wearing a particular type of gloves should not feel at all that he is carrying something extra in his hand. There lies the perfection of the gloves.

EN388 gloves ensure resistance from any type of disasters, whereas EN13594 gloves are fit for the motor bikers. But the demand of the police gloves is different yet combining the both. Tactical gloves are suited for most of the professions. Policemen too find tactical gloves reliable as they combine a multiple characteristics. But, when there are a number of manufactures specifically concentrating on police gloves, it is better to avail those on duty. Since these are made with consultation of ace policemen, it won’t be foolish to put trust on them regarding the safety of your hands along with the comfort and performance factor too.

Keep safe distance from punctures

Gloves are comfortable and safety gears for hands. Keeping in mind the comfort factor, gloves are often made supple and soft so that the user may not feel that he is wearing an extra screen on his hand. This characteristic of gloves makes them prone to cuts, scratches and punctures. Gloves which can resist punctures are known as puncture gloves. These enjoy high demand as there are certain professions that need the personnel to carry heavy weight. It cannot be done without the coverings of the gloves. Yet normal gloves will simply become a helpless prey of the heavy weight. So, puncture gloves are the only solutions for people belonging to these professions.

Most of the gloves are made for tougher tasks. So it is quite evident that these gloves must be puncture proof, cut resistant. Tactical gloves include a number of qualities and so these gloves can be used in multiple purposes. But puncture gloves enjoy a space ahead of the competitors as they have been designed specially against punctures.

Puncture gloves have made a special place in medical waste. Medical waste needs proper handling and disposition. These wastes can spread infection to those who are handling with them. So wearing a pair of gloves is a must for those whose works demand them to deal with bio medical waste. But any general gloves wont do as the sharp needles can wound the hands. So puncture gloves are advised for these professionals.

There are a number of gloves meant for specific purposes. For instance, police gloves are exclusively meant for the use of the police personnel. There are military gloves and army gloves for military and army officials. All these gloves serve a specific purpose related to the profession. But, one feature that underlies all the gloves is comfort.

Manufacturers pay minute details to the purpose for which these special gloves are being created. To delve deep into the need, often the personnel are consulted. Like, military gloves can be best depicted by military personnel only. The cuts, the resilience needed for a riot gloves can be best analyzed persons involved in it. So seeking advice from the professionals has always been a part of this manufacturing process.

Gloves serve a number of purposes. Though the purposes vary from one type of gloves to the other, at the bottom all gloves aim to provide safety to the hands. But that is not the end. Getting a good grip is not always possible with cumbersome gloves. So, being comfortable is also a valid issue with gloves.

Puncture gloves are generally thicker. Otherwise they will not be able to manage the wrath of the punctures. But this thickness should not restrict the easy movement of the hand. Like all the other gloves, puncture gloves too facilitate the work with support and comfort.