RETON Ring Mesh Co., Ltd.A Professional, Reliable And Experienced Metal Products Manufacturer
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A metal mesh hand glove is a protective device that covers the hand and wrist with interlocked metal rings. The term metal mesh hand glove distinguishes full-hand protection from finger guards or arm sleeves that cover only specific areas. The metal mesh hand glove is used in industries where workers handle sharp objects including glass, metal, food products, and recyclable materials. This article provides a technical guide to selecting a metal mesh hand glove based on gauge, material grade, and application requirements. The design of a metal mesh hand glove starts with a pattern that matches the contours of the human hand. The pattern includes a palm section, four finger sections, and a thumb section. Each section is cut from a larger sheet of chainmail mesh and then assembled with connecting rings. The thumb is set at an angle that allows opposition to the fingers for gripping. The fingers are slightly curved to match the natural resting position of the hand. This anatomical design reduces fatigue during extended wear.
The gauge number of a metal mesh hand glove determines the density of the mesh and the size of the individual rings. A lower gauge number indicates larger rings with thicker wire. A higher gauge number indicates smaller rings with thinner wire. The selection of gauge affects cut resistance, puncture resistance, dexterity, and weight. The table below provides a comprehensive guide to gauge selection. Gauge Rings Per Inch Ring Diameter mm Ring Thickness mm Weight grams Cut Level Best Application 7 7 3.8 0.55 125 F Heavy metal fabrication 8 8 3.5 0.5 118 F Glass handling 9 9 3.2 0.48 112 E to F Recycling sorting 10 10 2.8 0.45 105 E Butchery and meat 11 11 2.6 0.43 100 E Poultry processing 12 12 2.4 0.42 98 E Seafood processing 13 13 2.2 0.4 95 D to E Fine assembly 14 14 2.0 0.38 93 D Needle resistance 15 15 1.8 0.37 91 D Medical waste sorting The selection of gauge for a metal mesh hand glove should be based on the smallest hazard that could contact the glove. For facilities handling fine needles or thin bone splinters, a 14 or 15 gauge glove provides the smallest ring openings. For facilities handling large sharp objects such as glass sheets or metal plate, a 7 to 9 gauge glove provides adequate protection with lower weight.
The material grade of a metal mesh hand glove affects corrosion resistance, strength, and cost. Type 304 stainless steel is suitable for dry environments where the glove does not contact chemicals or salt. Type 316L stainless steel is required for wet environments, food processing, and applications with chemical exposure. The molybdenum content in 316L provides resistance to pitting corrosion from chlorides. For specialized applications, nickel-plated steel provides corrosion resistance with lower cost than 316L. The table below summarizes material grade selection criteria. Material Grade Corrosion Resistance Strength MPa Relative Cost Recommended Environment 304 Stainless Moderate 505 1.0x Dry indoor, glass handling 316L Stainless High 485 1.6x Wet, food, chemical Nickel-plated steel Moderate 420 0.8x Cleanroom, electronics 430 Stainless Low 450 0.9x Light duty dry applications The selection of material grade should also consider the cleaning protocol. Facilities that use chlorine-based sanitizers must specify 316L grade because chlorine attacks the passive layer on 304 stainless steel. A metal mesh hand glove made from 304 stainless steel exposed to daily chlorine sanitization shows visible pitting after 6 months. The same glove made from 316L shows no pitting after 24 months of the same exposure.
The cut resistance of a metal mesh hand glove is rated under the EN388:2016 standard using the TDM-100 test. The test results are reported as levels A through F, where F is the highest level requiring a cutting force of 30 newtons or more. A 7 gauge metal mesh hand glove with 0.55 millimeter rings achieves Level F with cutting forces of 32 to 38 newtons. A 10 gauge glove with 0.45 millimeter rings achieves Level E with cutting forces of 26 to 30 newtons. A 13 gauge glove with 0.4 millimeter rings achieves Level E with cutting forces of 24 to 28 newtons. Under the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard, the same gloves achieve levels A5 to A7. A metal mesh hand glove at Level A6 requires a cutting force between 2200 grams and 2999 grams. The conversion between newtons and grams for the cut test is not linear because the two tests use different blade types and cutting speeds. For this reason, users should specify the standard that applies in their region. Facilities in North America typically use ANSI/ISEA 105, while facilities in Europe use EN388.
Proper fit of a metal mesh hand glove is essential for both safety and comfort. The glove should fit snugly against the hand without creating pressure points. To determine the correct size, measure the circumference of the hand around the palm at the base of the fingers. A measurement of 178 to 203 millimeters indicates size small. A measurement of 203 to 229 millimeters indicates size medium. A measurement of 229 to 254 millimeters indicates size large. A measurement of 254 to 279 millimeters indicates size extra large. The length of a metal mesh hand glove should extend beyond the wrist bone by at least 25 millimeters. This prevents the glove from riding up during use and exposing the wrist. For applications where the hand is raised above the shoulder level, an extended cuff length of 270 millimeters is recommended. The extended cuff protects the forearm from cuts that could occur when cutting above the head.
Yes. In many cutting operations, the non-dominant hand holds the material while the dominant hand holds the knife. The non-dominant hand is at greater risk of cut injury because it is closer to the blade. Wearing a metal mesh hand glove on the non-dominant hand only is an acceptable practice when the dominant hand is always behind the blade.
A metal mesh hand glove should be stored in a dry location away from chemical fumes. The glove should be hung by the cuff or laid flat. Folding the glove can create permanent creases in the mesh that weaken the rings at the fold points. Do not store the glove in direct sunlight because UV radiation does not affect metal but may degrade any elastic components on the cuff.
There is no functional difference. The terms metal mesh hand glove and chainmail glove refer to the same product. Chainmail is a historical term for armor made from interlocked rings. Metal mesh is the modern industrial term for the same construction. Both terms describe a glove made from interlocked metal rings.
A metal mesh hand glove provides protection against some animal bites but is not designed for this purpose. The glove will stop the penetration of canine teeth in most cases, but the pressure of the bite may still cause bruising. For bite protection, use gloves specifically rated for bite resistance.
The manufacturing tolerances for a metal mesh hand glove affect the consistency of protection. The ring internal diameter must be held to a tolerance of plus or minus 0.1 millimeter to ensure consistent mesh density. The ring thickness must be held to a tolerance of plus or minus 0.02 millimeter to ensure consistent weight and cut resistance. RETON Ring Mesh Co., Ltd. uses precision wire drawing equipment to maintain these tolerances across all production batches. The welding process for ring closures requires precise control of current, time, and pressure. Resistance welding parameters must be adjusted for each ring thickness to achieve a weld that is as strong as the base metal. RETON Ring Mesh Co., Ltd. uses automated welding systems with feedback control to maintain weld quality. Each production batch undergoes destructive testing where sample rings are pulled to failure to verify weld strength. RETON Ring Mesh Co., Ltd. manufactures metal mesh hand gloves in gauges 7 through 15 with multiple material grade options. The company provides sizing templates and selection guides for industrial customers.
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