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WHY THE CHEMICAL PERMEATION TEST IS SO IMPORTANT
Protective gloves for use with chemicals must offer more than just mechanical protection. The key factor is how long they can prevent hazardous substances from penetrating the material. This is precisely where the chemical permeation test in accordance with EN ISO 374-1 comes into play.This is because chemicals can diffuse through materials at a molecular level – often without being noticed. Protective gloves may appear intact on the outside yet already be permeable. The permeation test demonstrates how reliably gloves protect against chemical risks and is therefore a key component of the assessment of chemical protective gloves.
But how exactly does this test work – and what do the results mean in practice?
WHAT DOES CHEMICAL PERMEATION ACCORDING TO EN ISO 374-1 MEAN?
Chemical permeation refers to how quickly a chemical penetrates the glove material. This is tested in accordance with the EN ISO 374-1 standard, which defines the requirements for chemical-resistant gloves.This is how the test works:
+ The outer surface of the glove material is placed in continuous contact with a defined chemical
+ On the inner surface, measurements are taken to determine when the substance becomes detectable
+ The time taken for the chemical to penetrate is referred to as the breakthrough time
The longer the breakthrough time, the higher the protective performance of the glove.
The results are classified into performance levels (permeation levels), which indicate how long a glove can withstand a specific chemical. These range from Level 1 to Level 6:
| Level | Breakthrough time | Typical application / Assessment |
| Level 1 | ≥ 10 minutes | Brief contact, e.g. splashes or occasional contact |
| Level 2 | ≥ 30 minutes | Light duties with limited contact |
| Level 3 | ≥ 60 minutes | Standard applications in many fields of work |
| Level 4 | ≥ 120 minutes | Activities lasting for a longer period involving regular contact |
| Level 5 | ≥ 240 minutes | Intensive applications involving higher loads |
| Level 6 | ≥ 480 minutes | Long-term exposure and high levels of chemical contamination |
HOW IS THE TEST CARRIED OUT IN PRACTICE?
Specialised testing equipment is used to ensure a precise and reproducible assessment. At the AS Quality Centre, the Qumat 401 is used – an automated system for permeation measurements.Advantages of the test:
+ Standardised conditions in accordance with EN ISO 374-1
+ High measurement accuracy at the molecular level
+ Reproducible results for comparability
This allows gloves to be objectively evaluated and specifically selected for different areas of application.
In practice, the results help to:
+ select suitable gloves for specific chemicals
+ better estimate service life
+ minimise risks associated with prolonged exposure
COMMON MISTAKES WHEN EVALUATING CHEMICAL-RESISTANT GLOVES
A common misconception is the assumption that a thicker or sturdier glove automatically offers better chemical protection. However, what really matters is the glove’s resistance to permeation by the specific chemical in question.Typical mistakes:
+ Selecting gloves without considering the chemical being used
+ Confusing mechanical protection with chemical protection
+ Ignoring breakthrough times
+ Failing to take the duration of use into account
Important: A glove only provides protection for as long as the material can withstand the chemical.
UNDERSTANDING CHEMICAL PERMEATION – REDUCING RISKS
The chemical permeation test in accordance with EN ISO 374-1 is a key component of the assessment of protective gloves. It shows how long protective gloves actually provide protection against chemical hazards.Those who interpret the results correctly can better assess risks and select the appropriate protective equipment in a targeted manner.
Because ultimately, visible protection is not enough – what happens inside the material is what matters.
