Overview
EN ISO 13997:2024 - Protective clothing: Determination of resistance to cutting by sharp objects specifies a tomodynamometer cut test and associated calculations for materials and assemblies used in protective clothing (including gloves). The method quantifies resistance to slicing by sharp edges - for example knives, sheet metal, swarf, glass and bladed tools - by calculating the downward force required to cut through a specimen over a defined blade stroke.
This document was approved by CEN in October 2024 and is published as EN ISO 13997:2024. It is a third‑edition, minor revision of the ISO standard and is intended to be used as a harmonized test method in product requirement standards.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: tomodynamometer cut test that measures the distance a blade travels before cut‑through and derives a calculated cutting force (defined for a 20 mm blade stroke).
- Cutting stroke length: distance the cutting edge travels prior to cut‑through; used with test data to calculate cutting force.
- Specimen sampling and size: typical specimen size is minimum 25 mm × 100 mm (smallest single‑cut specimen 25 mm × 25 mm). At least 15 cuts are required, so multiple specimens are normally needed.
- Conditioning and calibration: procedures for specimen conditioning, apparatus calibration (beam balance, cutting speed) and blade validation are included to ensure reproducible results.
- Calculations and reporting: normative annexes detail the calculated cutting force determination and inter‑laboratory data analysis to classify performance.
- Scope limitations: the test does not assess resistance to penetration by pointed objects (e.g., needles, thorns) or the point of sharp‑edged blades, and is not suitable for chain‑mail or metal plate materials. Operator safeguards are not covered by the text.
Applications and practical value
- Used to evaluate and classify knife‑cut resistance and general sharp‑edge protection for textiles, composites, leather, rubber and reinforced materials in:
- Protective clothing (jackets, trousers, sleeves)
- Cut‑resistant gloves and hand protection
- Industrial PPE selection where contact with sharp edges is a hazard
- Supports manufacturers, test laboratories and certification bodies in producing reproducible, comparable cut‑resistance data for material selection, compliance testing and product standards.
Who should use this standard
- PPE and glove manufacturers
- Accredited testing laboratories and quality assurance teams
- Product standards committees and conformity assessors
- Safety managers and procurement specialists specifying cut‑resistant protective clothing
Related standards (normative references)
Keywords: EN ISO 13997:2024, resistance to cutting, tomodynamometer cut test, cutting force, cutting stroke length, protective clothing, knife cut resistance, PPE testing.
