EN ISO 374-2
EN ISO 374-2:2019 governs the penetration test procedure for protective gloves. Penetration is the passage of a substance through visible material defects - in contrast to permeation, which occurs at molecular level through intact material.
Test procedures per EN ISO 374-2:
- Variant 1: water infiltration test (comparable to water leak test)
- Variant 2: air infiltration test
- Gloves are tested for leaks
Significance:
1. For chemical protective gloves: a passed penetration test is a basic prerequisite for classification under EN ISO 374-1. However it only assesses macroscopic defects - permeation through intact material is measured separately per EN 16523-1.
2. For micro-organism protection: EN ISO 374-5 (bacteria, fungi) is directly based on the penetration test per EN ISO 374-2. Only gloves passing the penetration test may carry the biohazard symbol without the virus symbol.
3. Comparison with EN 455-1: the water leak test in EN 455-1 for medical single-use gloves and the penetration test in EN ISO 374-2 are methodologically related but embedded in different standard contexts.
A glove can pass the penetration test but fail through permeation - which is why combined consideration of both mechanisms is essential for chemical protective gloves.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the penetration test (EN ISO 374-2) and permeation measurement (EN 16523-1)?
Penetration (EN ISO 374-2): detection of visible defects through water/air test - macroscopic. Permeation (EN 16523-1): molecular diffusion through intact material - invisible, requires chemical measurement. Both mechanisms are independent.
What test variants does EN ISO 374-2 offer?
EN ISO 374-2 offers two variants: water infiltration test (detecting leaks by water pressure) and air infiltration test (by air pressure). The manufacturer selects the appropriate variant for their material.
Must a glove pass both penetration and permeation tests?
For chemical protective gloves per EN ISO 374-1 yes: penetration test (EN ISO 374-2) is a basic requirement; permeation test (EN 16523-1) determines the type (A, B, or C). For micro-organism protection (EN ISO 374-5), the penetration test alone suffices.