CHARNAUD® has set industry benchmarks by innovating and developing PPE which saves lives and offers more comfort than competing alternatives. Design, comfort and fit are important elements in creating world-class PPE. Being certified to both US and European safety standards can be the difference between life and death. A garment’s safety rating is a manufacturer’s safety promise to the end-user, and CHARNAUD® ALU-SAFE® is tested according to US and European safety standards. CHARNAUD® ALU-SAFE® is independently tested and rated according to several industry standards.
Testing for Resistance to Molten Metal Splash
Aluminium and other hot metal workers face a number of hazards, including molten metal splash. Molten aluminium is heated to over 800 °C (Celsius) which can easily burn a hole through fabrics, so it’s crucial that the PPE worn by these workers is suited to the hazards they face daily. CHARNAUD® ALU-SAFE® has undergone 2 molten metal pour tests, which are used to rate a fabric’s resistance to molten metal splash: namely ASTM F955 (US Standard) and EN ISO 9185 (European Standard).
The American Standard: ASTM F955
ASTM F955 is the American standard used to assess a fabric’s ability to shed molten metal. During testing, a fabric sample is affixed to a heat sensor plate. 1 kilogram of molten aluminium is poured onto the fabric sample while the heat sensors measure the temperature change and the point at which the Stoll Curve is breached. The results of the test are plotted on a graph illustrating the point the Stoll Curve was breached, the time taken to breach the Stoll Curve and the total heat energy recorded at the time of the breach. The point at which the Stoll curve is breached indicates where the onset of a second-degree burn will occur.
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The European Standard: EN ISO 9185
ISO 9185 specifies the method used to assess a fabric’s resistance to heat penetration by large volumes of molten metal. This test method can be applied to a range of molten metals including iron and cryolite. To conduct the test, 7 fabric samples are exposed to a molten metal pour of a specified mass, which is poured over each sample at a specified angle. Fabric samples exposed to molten aluminium will achieve a D rating, and fabric exposed to molten iron will achieve an E rating. Both the D and E ratings are then followed by numbers 1, 2 or 3. The fabric rating, expressed as a letter and number (e.g. D1) serves to inform the user of the type of molten metal the fabric can withstand and the mass of molten metal. A fabric with a rating of D1 provides a protection level of 100 grams to 200 grams of molten aluminium before a burn will occur.
CHARNAUD® Offer Internationally Certified PPE
CHARNAUD® ALU-SAFE® is tested against both US and European safety standards. Knowing that your PPE supplier offers protective gear that is internationally tested and certified, gives you the ultimate peace of mind. If you’re wondering whether your team could be better protected, get in touch with CHARNAUD® today to find out how their PPE/C can enhance the safety of your workers.