ISO 13997:2024

Overview

ISO 13997:2024 specifies a tomodynamometer cut test method for assessing the cut resistance of materials and assemblies used in protective clothing, including gloves. The standard measures the normal (downwards) force required for a standard blade to cut through a specimen in a 20.0 mm blade stroke. It covers sampling, specimen conditioning, test apparatus, calibration, test procedures, calculations and reporting. The third edition (2024) is a minor revision of the previous edition.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test principle: A blade of standard sharpness is drawn across a specimen under controlled normal force; cutting stroke lengths range from 5.0 mm to 50.0 mm and the result is expressed as the calculated cutting force for a 20.0 mm stroke.
• Specimen sampling and orientation: Typical specimen size is at least 25 mm × 100 mm (minimum single-cut size 25 mm × 25 mm). Textile specimens are cut at (45 ± 5)° to warp/weft; special rules apply for gloves. At least 15 cuts are required across specimens.
• Conditioning: Default conditioning atmosphere is 23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5 % RH (alternative 20 ± 2 °C / 65 ± 5 % RH); conditioning period ≥ 24 h and testing within 30 min of removal.
• Apparatus: Core components include blade holder, blade, specimen holder, conductive strip and mechanisms to apply and measure force and blade displacement. Apparatus must maintain a constant applied force and accurately measure blade travel.
• Calibration and validation: The standard mandates calibration steps (beam balancing, speed adjustment) and blade validation procedures to ensure reproducible results.
• Limitations: Not suitable for chain mail or metal plate materials and does not assess resistance to penetration by pointed objects (needles, thorns) or include operator safeguard provisions.
• Uncertainty: Laboratories are expected to estimate measurement uncertainty using recognized approaches (e.g., statistical or mathematical methods referenced in the standard).

Practical applications and users

ISO 13997:2024 is used to:

• Classify and compare cut resistance performance of textiles, composites, leathers, rubbers and glove constructions.
• Support PPE manufacturers (glove and garment producers) in product development and compliance testing.
• Provide test methods for independent testing laboratories, certification bodies and safety engineers assessing mechanical hazards from knives, sheet metal, glass and bladed tools.
• Inform procurement specifications and regulatory/product requirement standards that cite the method.

Keywords: ISO 13997:2024, cut resistance test, tomodynamometer, cutting force, protective clothing, glove testing, specimen conditioning, PPE testing.

Related standards

Normative and referenced standards include ISO 11610 (vocabulary), ISO 23388:2018 (protective gloves against mechanical risks), and various ISO test-method standards for rubber and uncertainty assessment referenced within ISO 13997:2024.