Ring mesh or HPPE: this question comes up again and again when choosing protective gloves for cutting work. This article explains how both materials are built, how they protect and where each one is stronger. A short summary of the metal is also available in Ring mesh explained in 30 seconds – material science for beginners.
What is stainless steel ring mesh?
Stainless steel ring mesh consists of many individual stainless steel rings that are linked together to form a flexible mesh. At niroflex the rings are welded. The first safety glove made of welded stainless steel ring mesh was created in 1968. The company was founded by Friedrich Münch in Mühlacker in 1920, at the time for ring mesh and scale mesh for bags, purses and accessories.
How fine such a mesh can be is shown by the niroflex fix. Its rings measure 4.0 × 0.50 mm. In the new version it is made of magnetic stainless steel wire. According to niroflex, tensile strength and puncture resistance are significantly higher than in the previous version. The material also withstands cleaning and disinfecting agents better, and the magnetic wire is easier to detect.
For gloves made of metal ring mesh there is a standard of its own, EN 1082-1. It covers protection against cuts and stabs from hand knives. For cut-resistant knitted gloves made of HPPE fibres, the standards EN 388 and EN ISO 13997 apply.
What is HPPE?
HPPE stands for High-Performance Polyethylene. It is a plastic fibre with very high tensile strength at low weight that is insensitive to chemicals. Similar fibres are called HMPE or UHMWPE, and Dyneema and Spectra are brand names. Textile cut-resistant gloves are knitted from such fibres, usually as fine knit.
How do ring mesh and HPPE fibres protect against cuts and stabs?
For cut protection, the tests under EN 388 and EN ISO 13997 count. The BlueCut advance cc reaches 35.4 N in the EN ISO 13997 test, the BlueCut sensitive 36.7 N and the BlueCut comfort 43 N. All three thereby reach cut protection level F, which starts at 30 N. What the letters and digits mean exactly is explained in What Does EN 388 Mean for Gloves? The Whole Pictogram Explained
A glove made of stainless steel ring mesh to EN 1082-1 protects more reliably against stab and cut injuries than a knit made of HPPE fibres. For this reason it is worn on the product-holding hand. The cut-resistant glove, such as the BlueCut advance cc made of HPPE knit, can additionally be worn to protect the knife hand.
How high the residual risk is at an individual workstation is shown by the operation’s risk assessment.
How do weight and tactile feel differ?
Ring mesh is heavier than cut-resistant gloves made of HPPE knit and allows less tactile feel. You notice this on long shifts and during fine cutting work. Cut-resistant gloves made of high-performance fibres are lighter and more flexible, but offer no protection against stabs and severe cut injuries. The BlueCut sensitive with 18 gauge has particularly good tactile sensitivity. Which task needs which glove is described in the guide Chainmail Glove or Cut-Resistant Glove? A Practical Guide for Everyday Operations.
What about cleaning and hygiene?
Stainless steel ring mesh can be cleaned and disinfected. It is open and therefore not waterproof, so in wet areas it is often combined with under-gloves. The textile BlueCut advance cc is machine washable at 85 °C. How to dry, store and check gloves for wear is covered in Longevity & Hygiene: How to Keep Protective Gloves Serviceable Longer in Wet Areas.
Frequently asked questions about ring mesh and knits made of HPPE fibres
Is ring mesh better than HPPE?
That depends on the task. Ring mesh has advantages where there is a risk of stabs and for heavy-duty work, HPPE textile for weight, tactile feel and fine cutting work.
Does HPPE also protect against stabs caused by hand knives?
No. In addition, the puncture test in EN 388 uses a standardised, fairly blunt spike. Where there is a risk of stabs, for example when boning, ring mesh is therefore intended.
Why is ring mesh heavier?
It consists of stainless steel rings, and metal weighs more than HPPE fibres. In return, the mesh is strong in cases of stabs and heavy-duty work.
Would you like to choose the right niroflex protective gloves for your work processes? Contact us directly or download our product catalogue.
