Cut Performance Fundamentals and Norms Harmonization

摘要

The cut performance of articles made of high performance materials is currently evaluated using several norm procedures. These tend to diverge, in their predictiveness of the "real" in use performance of the considered protective articles, when the cut resistance of the compounding fiber increases. Although relationships exist between the various cut performance levels obtained using ASTM, ISO, and EN norms, the ASTM and ISO approaches remain the most suitable methods for cut level exceeding 3, as defined by the European EN388 standard, this normalized cut resistance measurement procedure is part of the ANSI/ISEA 105-2000 guidance. Various studies, such as the effect of the cutting speed and the speed profile, the force distributions, the artefacts generated by various spot coatings, etc., aim at improving the interpretation of the measured cut level. Therewith, substantial potential improvements of the cut fundamental understanding and the norm harmonization are brought to the attention of the end-users of mechanically resistant articles made of high performance fibers, such as para-aramid.