The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of different types of particles added to a polymer paste applied onto a textile carrier on the cut resistance of the resulting material. Knitted aramid textile samples were coated in laboratory conditions using a polymer paste that was functionalized with 12 types of reinforcing particles of different chemical compositions and size fractions. Cut resistance was tested in accordance with the standard EN ISO 13997:1999 and the results were subjected to statistical analysis. The effects of additive particles on the microstructure of the polymeric layer were assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy. The type and size of the particles affected the cut resistance of the functionalized knitted fabric. They were also found to change the morphology of the porous structure. Composite coatings containing the smallest additive particles exhibited the best cut resistance properties.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of laser texturing of coated textile materials on their cut resistance. The investigated material was an aramid knitted fabric coated with a polymer layer made of an acrylic-styrene dispersion functionalized with particles of silicon carbide (SiC). The distribution of SiC particles in the coating microstructure was assessed on the basis of microscopic observations (scanning electron microscopy). The coating was laser textured, and then the cut resistance of the assembly was determined using a rectangular blade. The findings showed that laser texturing improved the cut resistance of the tested materials, causing a fourfold increase in that parameter as compared to non-modified textile materials. This fact may improve the safety of workers wearing protective gloves in terms of cut protection.

This study presents a new approach to developing protective material structures for personal protective equipment (PPE), and in particular for protective gloves, with the use of ultrasonic and contact welding processes. The goal was to assess the quality of joints (welds) obtained between a synthetic polyamide knitted fabric (PA) and selected polymers (PLA, ABS, PET-G) in the developed materials using X-Ray microtomography (micro-CT). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed to determine the joint area produced by the selected welding methods for the examined materials. In this article, we assumed that obtaining a greater contact area seems to be the most promising from the point of view of future PPE utility tests characterizing protective glove structures. This research is a continuation of our previous study focused on functional 3D-printed polymeric materials for protective gloves.

The objective of the work was to examine the mechanical strength properties of polycarbonate toecaps designed for commercially available protective footwear, subjected to repeated impacts simulating workplace conditions. The effects of impacts on the toecaps were expressed as the height of toecap clearance, which has a direct bearing on the safe use of protective footwear. Changes in toecap geometry were evaluated using an originally developed methodology taking into consideration the requirements of the Standard No. EN ISO 22568-2. Additionally, the external and internal sides of toecaps were scanned in 3D after each impact and reversed engineering was used to analyze deformations in toecap geometry by comparing the shape of the toecaps before and after impacts. Three-dimensional scanning made it possible to measure the remaining safe distance for toes between the footwear sole and the impacted toecap surface, which is a indicator of the protective properties and safety of toecaps during use.

The damages of polymer toecaps most commonly used in commercial protective footwear were assessed. The toecaps were tested in the laboratory using standard compressive loads and a non-standard load that may occur in an actual workplace. By using microscopic analysis, the structure of toecap materials subjected to compression resistance tests was examined. The results of the study indicate that both standard (10 and 15 kN), as well as non-standard (20 kN) loads do not cause mechanical damage in the toecap structure.

The objective of the study was to examine the mechanical and electrostatic properties of poly(vinyl chloride) intended for use in protective footwear. The poly(vinyl chloride) material was made with graphite (flake side dimensions 5 and 10 µm) additive in weight concentration variants from 0.5 to 10.0%. The influence of incorporating graphite in the polymer matrix was evaluated by testing mechanical parameters and electrostatic parameters (according to Standard No. EN ISO 20344:2021). In addition, the surface morphology, analysis of thermal properties and stability were evaluated. The results indicated the highest increase in tear resistance for the variant containing 1.5- 2.0% graphite. In terms of electrostatic parameters, the addition of graphite caused an increase in electrical resistance. Based on the obtained preliminary test results, it can be concluded that the use of graphite additive can increase the mechanical properties and find application in the production of protective footwear components.