Improving the mechanical and electrostatic properties of polymer composites for personal protective equipment by incorporating graphite into a poly(vinyl chloride) polymer matrix.

The objective of the study was to examine the mechanical and electrostatic properties of poly(vinyl chloride) intended for use in protective footwear. The poly(vinyl chloride) material was made with graphite (flake side dimensions 5 and 10 µm) additive in weight concentration variants from 0.5 to 10.

A New Approach to Implementing 3D-Printed Material Structures for Protective Gloves with the Use of Ultrasonic and Contact Welding Processes: A Preliminary Study.

This study presents a new approach to developing protective material structures for personal protective equipment (PPE), and in particular for protective gloves, with the use of ultrasonic and contact welding processes. The goal was to assess the quality of joints (welds) obtained between a synthetic polyamide knitted fabric (PA) and selected polymers (PLA, ABS, PET-G) in the developed materials using X-Ray microtomography (micro-CT). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed to determine the joint area produced by the selected welding methods for the examined materials.

The New Elastomeric Compounds Made of Butyl Rubber Filled with Phyllosilicates, Characterized by Increased Barrier Properties and Hydrophobicity and Reduced Chemical Degradation.

The aim of the study was to produce new elastomeric materials containing butyl rubber (IIR) filled with silica and phyllosilicates (vermiculite, montmorillonite, perlite or halloysite tubes) with enhanced hydrophobicity and barrier properties and reduced chemical degradation. It was found that the filler type had a significant impact on the degree of cross-linking of butyl rubber and the properties of its vulcanizates. The highest degree of cross-linking and the highest mechanical strength were achieved for IIR composites filled with Arsil with perlite or halloysite tubes.

An Approach to Testing Antivandal Composite Materials as a Function of Their Thickness and Striker Shape-A Case Study.

Our research material comprised antivandal fire-retardant hybrid composites modified with inorganic and organic fillers intended for application in public transport vehicles. This paper presents an approach to studying their impact strength as a function of the composite thickness (3 to 6 mm) and striker shape (hemispherical, semicylindrical, wedge-shaped) used in the experimental stand. Group A composites, made of single fabric layers ( = 5), were thinner and their impact strength was lower by 73% than that for Group B composites made of double fabric layers.

Functional 3D-Printed Polymeric Materials with Metallic Reinforcement for Use in Cut-Resistant Gloves.

Given the mechanical hazards occurring in the workplace, cut resistance is a particularly important protective parameter. 3D printing is an innovative technology that has recently garnered great interest. It enables the creation of functional polymeric materials with metal reinforcement for use in cut-resistant gloves.

The effect of exposure to cold on dexterity and temperature of the skin and hands.

. This study aimed to determine the impact of low temperature (-1 °C, +5 °C) on manual dexterity and hand skin temperature after 1 h of exposure when using two types of protective gloves. .

Knitted Structures Made of Antibacterial Fibers Intended for Protective Gloves.

At a time of growing epidemic hazards caused by a very rapid evolution of dangerous pathogens, there is a pressing demand for bioactive textiles. Therefore, the development of high-quality knitted structures that could be used as bioactive protective materials has become a priority. This publication describes the fabrication of functional knitted structures from previously prepared antibacterial cellulose fibers containing nanosilica with immobilized silver nanoparticles.

Analysis of the Impact Resistance of Toecaps by the Finite Element Method: Preliminary Studies.

A key property in the manufacture of toecaps for protective footwear is resistance to impacts, deformations, and cracking, as the resulting defects may lead to serious workplace accidents involving the lower extremities. The present paper proposes a new approach to qualitative verification of toecap design based on numerical simulations of impact tests. Computational experiments were conducted for toecaps made from different materials (AISI 10450, S235, S355 and A36 steels, as well as Lexan polycarbonate) and characterized by different geometries, which were recreated by 3D scanning.

Preliminary end-of-service-life study of the soles of protective footwear resistant to selected mechanical factors and mineral oil.

This work aimed to study the end of service life of soles of protective footwear resistant to selected mechanical factors and mineral oil. Three sole variants were examined; made from poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and polyurethane (PU), currently widely used in all-rubber protective footwear. The preliminary study focused on the abrasion resistance and bending strength of the three sole materials after different times of exposure to mineral oil.

Enhanced Hydrophobicity of Polymers for Protective Gloves Achieved by Geometric, Chemical and Plasma-Surface Modification.

Gloves are one of the most important elements of personal protective equipment (PPE). To improve gloves properties, a lot of different methods of surface modifications are used. In this work, the application of geometric, chemical, and plasma surface modifications to improve the hydrophobicity of butyl (IIR) and silicone (MVQ) rubber are described.

The Impact of Protective Gloves on Manual Dexterity in Cold Environments-A Pilot Study.

Our research aimed to determine the impact of two types of protective gloves. The research tested the glove performance on men exposed to a range of temperatures reflecting the working conditions in fruit and vegetable processing. The gloves were assessed for performance within the time required to complete a specific manual task and for performance relative to the subjective thermal sensations in the male subjects.

Enhanced Hydrofobicity of Polymers for Personal Protective Equipment Achieved by Chemical and Physical Modification.

The article presents significant results in research on creating superhydrophobic properties of materials which can be used as an interesting material for use in self-cleaning polymer protective gloves and similar applications where the superhydrophobicity plays a significant role. In this work the influence of laser surface modification of MVQ silicone rubber was investigated. The research was conducted using a nanosecond-pulsed laser at 1060 nm wavelength.

Effects of Composite Coatings Functionalized with Material Additives Applied on Textile Materials for Cut Resistant Protective Gloves.

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of different types of particles added to a polymer paste applied onto a textile carrier on the cut resistance of the resulting material. Knitted aramid textile samples were coated in laboratory conditions using a polymer paste that was functionalized with 12 types of reinforcing particles of different chemical compositions and size fractions. Cut resistance was tested in accordance with the standard EN ISO 13997:1999 and the results were subjected to statistical analysis.

Preliminary Research: Validation of the Method of Evaluating Resistance to Surface Wetting with Liquid of Protective Materials Intended for Polymer Protective Gloves.

The article presents validation argumentation of the novel method of evaluating resistance to surface wetting with different liquids of protective materials intended for polymer protective gloves based on the three parameters: water permeability index, non-wettability index and absorption index. Using our own method of evaluating resistance to surface wetting, it was shown that the knurled structure of the palm part of polymer protective gloves may inhibit transport of harmful and hazardous liquids outside the area of the protective glove. Currently, there is lack of objectifying methods for evaluation of surface wettability focused on the mentioned aspects.

Manual work in cold environments and its impact on selection of materials for protective gloves based on workplace observations.

This article presents a workplace observations on manual work in cold environments and its impact on the selection of materials for protective gloves. The workplace observations was conducted on 107 workers in 7 companies and involved measurements of the temperature of air and objects in the workplaces; in addition the type of surface and shape of the objects was determined. Laboratory tests were also carried out on 11 materials for protective gloves to be used in cold environments.

A new method of ergonomic testing of gloves protecting against cuts and stabs during knife use.

The paper presents a new method of ergonomic evaluation of gloves protecting against cuts and stabs during knife use, consisting of five manual dexterity tests. Two of them were selected based on the available literature and relevant safety standards, and three were developed by the authors. All of the tests were designed to simulate occupational tasks associated with meat processing as performed by the gloved hand in actual workplaces.

The impact of different types of textile liners used in protective footwear on the subjective sensations of firefighters.

The paper presents ergonomic evaluation of footwear used with three types of textile liners differing in terms of design and material composition. Two novel textile composite liners with enhanced hygienic properties were compared with a standard liner used in firefighter boots. The study involved 45 healthy firefighters from fire and rescue units who wore protective footwear with one of the three types of liners.

Factors influencing the end of the service life of protective gloves used in car repair shops: a preliminary report.

The paper presents the results of an end-of-service-life study on 2 kinds of protective gloves designed for workplaces in which workers are exposed to mineral oils and mechanical factors. The authors developed their own end-of-service-life study method that takes into account factors occurring during real-life use of protective gloves. The examined gloves were subjected to mechanical, chemical, and physical factors.

[Exposure to mineral oils at worksites and novel solutions for polymer protective materials in selected personal protective equipment].

Exposure of workers to health hazards due to contact with mineral oils occurs primarily in the chemical, petrochemical, machine-building, metallurgic and car industries. Under worksite conditions, the respiratory system and the skin are the primary routes of entry of mineral oils into the human body. Long-term exposure of the skin to oily substances may lead not only to irritation and allergic lesions.