Cut Protection Performance Test for Measuring Cut Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing

Abstract

A new test method for measuring cut resistance of materials used in protective clothing has been developed. The test method, Cut Protection Performance Test (CPPT), determines cut resistance of a material by measuring its ability to resist the cutting action of a sharp blade under a load. Cut resistance is described as the reference load — the load required to cut the material a distance of 25 mm. The relative cut resistance of various materials, ranging from thin latex to reinforced composite structures, is examined by comparing their respective reference loads. For most materials, correlation coefficients of 0.75 or better are observed, while composite materials give lower correlation coefficients. The lower correlation is explained by analysis of model fabrics and is attributed to the non-homogeneous nature of the composite materials. An interlaboratory test program was conducted to determine precision of the test method. The test results showed that despite variability in the predicted values, all seven laboratories consistently ranked the relative cut resistance of ten materials; the method can be used to distinguish cut resistance of various commercial materials. The results of the precision calculations for repeatability and reproducibility are also presented. ASTM task group F23.20.02 has concluded that the CPP test method is significantly better than the earlier test methods; the test method has been balloted by the main committee for adoption.