Testing acc. to EN 863: Protective clothing, Mechanical properties - Test method: Puncture resistance
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Our test laboratory performs testing according to DIN EN 863 as an accredited test method to determine the puncture resistance of protective clothing and the materials intended for such clothing. The test determines the maximum force required to push a specified needle through the specimen.
The method is particularly suitable for leather, textiles and coated textiles used in protective and work clothing. It allows different materials to be compared with regard to their resistance to localized mechanical puncture loading and is therefore particularly relevant to Technical Textiles and Protective Equipment.
Testing according to DIN EN 863
Four representative specimens with a minimum diameter of 50 mm are taken and conditioned before testing. Each specimen is secured between clamping rings with its outer surface facing the needle.
A standardized steel needle is moved perpendicular to the specimen and pushed through the material. The maximum force required to puncture each specimen is recorded in newtons. If the needle does not penetrate the specimen within the maximum travel specified by the standard, the test is stopped and documented accordingly.
The test result is the arithmetic mean of the maximum puncture forces measured for the four specimens.
Applications of the test
Testing according to DIN EN 863 is suitable for evaluating leather, textile fabrics and coated textiles intended for protective clothing. It can be used to compare different materials, material constructions, coatings and material combinations.
The method specifically represents a localized puncture load and therefore complements other mechanical tests on protective materials.
Related tests
A closely related method is DIN EN 388 (6.5) for determining puncture resistance of materials used for protective gloves. FILK also determines the abrasion resistance of protective clothing materials according to DIN EN 530, the maximum force and elongation of textile fabrics according to DIN EN ISO 13934-1 and the tear force according to DIN EN ISO 13937-2.
