Overview
ISO 9185:2007 - Protective clothing: Assessment of resistance of materials to molten metal splash specifies a laboratory test method to assess the heat-penetration resistance of materials intended for garments exposed to large splashes of molten metal. The standard gives specific procedures for molten aluminium, molten cryolite, molten copper, molten iron and molten mild steel, and sets out the principle that can be extended to other molten materials if appropriate operator safety measures are applied.
Key topics and requirements
- Test principle: Pour controlled masses of molten metal onto a specimen mounted on a pin frame; place an embossed PVC sensor film directly behind the specimen to detect heat penetration and surface damage. Repeat pours to determine the minimum mass that causes damage.
- Outcome metric: Molten metal splash index - the minimum mass of molten metal that causes damage to the PVC sensor film.
- Apparatus & consumables:
- Crucible (brim capacity approx. 190 ml) and detachable holder for safe transfer from furnace.
- Motor-driven pouring device with axis of rotation through the crucible pouring edge.
- Pin frame specimen holder (external dims ~160 × 248 mm) and sand tray.
- PVC sensor film specification: embossed PVC sheet, mass per unit area about 300 ± 30 g/m², calibrated per Annex B.
- Temperature probe (thermocouple or non-contact) and balance (1 g accuracy).
- Procedures & controls:
- Conditioning of specimens: 24 h at ~20 °C and controlled humidity.
- Specific pour heights, angles and temperatures are defined in Annex A for each metal.
- Iterative testing to determine threshold mass; record metal mass poured and any adherence or damage.
- Safety: Annex and main text emphasize operator protection and safe handling of molten materials; special precautions required when applying the method to metals beyond those specified.
Applications
- PPE manufacturers and material suppliers use ISO 9185:2007 to assess and compare fabrics, coatings and assemblies intended for foundry, smelting and metal‑processing garments.
- Test laboratories adopt the method to generate repeatable performance data (molten metal splash index) for product certification and R&D.
- Safety engineers, spec writers and procurement teams rely on the standard to select protective clothing for aluminium smelters, steelworks, copper plants and other operations where molten metal splash hazards exist.
- Useful in product development to validate laminates, barrier fabrics and surface treatments for splash protection.
Related standards
- ISO 9150 - separate test method for welding protective materials (different scope).
- EN 373 - earlier European method; ISO 9185 harmonizes and updates procedures (including cryolite and new PVC sensor film).
Keywords: ISO 9185:2007, protective clothing, molten metal splash, molten aluminium, molten cryolite, PVC sensor film, heat penetration resistance, splash protection standard.
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