Materials - COFRA Safety footwear Workwear PPE

THE COATING

The kind of coating is essential to choose the right glove: it has to be chosen according to the different contact surfaces, mechanical performance demands, comfort needs:

	Nitrile compound, developed by COFRA, able to reach more advanced results on the abrasion resistance and mechanical stress than the nitrile coated gloves presently on the market. It guarantees an abrasion resistance notably greater than a normal nitrile coating. The result is a longer lifetime of gloves, thus allowing applications in harder work environments. Tear and perforation resistance are improved, too. The thickness of GRANITICK is innovative, too: notwithstanding the superior mechanical performance, it is a compound thinner than usual, thus assuring adherence to hand and maximum dexterity. The typical features of nitrile are the same as high quality nitrile, with a good resistance to greases and oils and with good grip on dry surfaces.
	HANDLING OIL AND NOT FEELING IT! Revolutionized nitrile concept. NITRA-X is an innovative compound, breathable, with double layer granting excellent grip on wet and oily surfaces. The oil is collected on the outer layer (1) thanks to the excellent compound porosity. The external surface does not remain oily, granting maximum grip. Thanks to the structure of its micropores, the inner layer made of nitrile foam (2) prevents the penetration of oil into the lining, while allowing air to pass, thus optimizing breathability. NITRA -X has an excellent flexibility, makes easier and quicker hand movements.
SMOOTH NITRILE	Excellent grip on dry surfaces. Resistant to oils and chemicals. The compact surface provides optimal mechanical properties and it opposes to water leaking. Coating suitable for different applications.
NITRILE FOAM	Excellent grip on dry and wet surfaces. The porous surface provides excellent breathability and comfort, as well as better flexibility than smooth nitrile. Coating suitable for different applications, above all wet surfaces.
NITRILE MICRO-FOAM	Thanks to higher number of pores which grant increased breathability, this new nitrile foam guarantees superior comfort and resistance. It provides excellent grip on both dry and wet surfaces.
NITRILE FOAM AND WATER-BASED POLYURETHANE	Soft compound, breathable, elastic and at the same time highly resistant, it grants excellent grip on dry and wet surfaces. This new formula creates right combination between comfort and safety for workers. The absence of DMF (Dimethylformamide) as a polyurethane solvent reduces irritations and prevents from skin allergies in the most sensitive people. Water base makes the glove eco-compatible and in this way easily disposable.
NITRILE MIXED POLYURETHANE	Excellent breathability, flexibility and dexterity. The nitrile strengthens the glove, thus enhancing its mechanical resistance. Recommended for little tools handling or in applications that demand increased breathability.
SAND FINISHED NITRILE	Excellent grip on oily surfaces, thanks to its special coating. Very good performance in durability, abrasion and tear. Recommended for workshops and oily tools handling.

	New polyurethane compound that turns around the concept of grip. The excellent grasp of little tools and the maximum dexterity enhance productivity in those jobs where maximum precision and accuracy are demanded.
POLYURETHANE	Superb breathability. Its thinness and flexibility provide maximum dexterity and superb comfort. It is not well resistant to wear. Recommended for little tools handling and in applications where a high mechanical resistance is not demanded.

CRINKLED LATEX	Excellent grip on dry surfaces. Maximum comfort and dexterity provided from the elasticity of latex. Not resistant to oils and chemicals in general. Recommended for construction and high comfort demand.

NEOPRENE	Strong and durable, it provides excellent protection from physical hazards such as cuts and abrasions, great resistance and chemical protection. This coating is resistant to degradation by ozone, sunlight and oxidation. Finally, it remains functional and flexible at both low and at high temperatures.

	Gloves made without silicones, responsible for skin irritation and allergies. The absence of silicones ensures that glass, steel and metal parts can be generally handled without leaving prints, thus optimising the painting, assembly, packaging and finishing phases. As specified in the UNI ISO 4650:2013+EC 1-2014 test method, the gloves may contain silicones, but in a quantity not higher than 1%, a minimum threshold beyond which is not possible to determine a value on a scientific basis.

SILICONE-FREE

Gloves made without silicones, responsible for skin irritation and allergies. The absence of silicones ensures that glass, steel and metal parts can be generally handled without leaving prints, thus optimising the painting, assembly, packaging and finishing phases. As specified in the UNI ISO 4650:2013+EC 1-2014 test method, the gloves may contain silicones, but in a quantity not higher than 1%, a minimum threshold beyond which is not possible to determine a value on a scientific basis.

THE LEATHERS

During manufacturing and stratification, the leather is split into two parts: the external layer is called full grain leather and it is the one used to provide further softness and comfort, the internal layer is called split leather to provide better mechanical performance such as resistance to tear and wear.

COW LEATHER	Highly resistant to abrasion and to atmospheric agents such as humidity and sunlight. Usually the cow leather gloves are thicker, thus providing greater resistance. On the market it is possible to find several kinds of gloves: COFRA carefully chooses leathers guaranteeing at the same time softness and resistance.
GOAT LEATHER	Unlike cow leather, goat leather is used with thinner thickness, thus enhancing feeling in fingers and dexterity. The lower thickness does not imply low mechanical resistance, and at the same time it allows better breathability.

AZO FREE All the fabrics used for leather gloves are without AZO DYES.

THE LININGS

Made of knitted or non-woven fabric of different gauge, linings can be made of different or combined materials having different features and properties. The gauge indicates the number of needles in the space of one inch, or 2.5 cm, and is determined by the distance between one needle and another and the shape of the needle. The gauge is represented by a number inversely proportional to it: therefore, a lining with gauge 7 will be thicker than a gauge 18. A better dexterity and sensitivity is associated to a greater gauge; on the contrary, to a minor gauge it is usually associated a higher protection.

NYLON	It is the fabric offering the best resistance to abrasion and wear, far better than polyester. It resists also to oils and most of chemicals. Good elasticity.
POLYESTER	Fabric which combines good mechanical properties (wear resistance and dimensional steadiness) and good thermic properties. Lightness and robustness at the same time make it very versatile.
COTTON	It is the most comfortable fabric to the skin. Less resistant than nylon, it is however highly breathable.
ACRYLIC	It provides excellent thermal insulation, above all if flock-lined. Good abrasion resistance. Recommended for work at low temperatures.
DuPont™ Kevlar^®	Highly cut, flame and heat resistant aramidic yarn. Reinforced with a flexible steel mesh, it can reach the maximum cut protection category (category 5). DuPont ™ and Kevlar® are trademarks or registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
HDPE (high density polyethylene)	Highly cut protection yarn. Thin and flexible, it provides protection, comfort and superb dexterity.
UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly-Ethylene)	Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene is a high-tech material, belonging to the same chemical group of HDPE, in respect of which it has an enhanced mechanical performance thanks to a very high molecular weight. In particular, the UHMWPE reaches superior levels of resistance against cut and wear, whilst keeping flexibility and mobility. It is used for COFRA new generation anti-cut models, which take advantage of its ductility and toughness.
	Composite lining developed by COFRA by joining the features of the most resistant materials on the market, among which UHMWPE and steel (completely without glass fibers). Moreover, the cotton grants softness and good flexibility. The result is a high-performing and thin lining, able to reach level “E” in terms of resistance to cut, even in case of gloves with light polyurethane coatings.
	Latest generation material developed by COFRA, without glass fibers. It guarantees good flexibility and high mechanical performance. Its thin diameter lends itself very well to weaving with other yarns giving highly resistant linings, without compromising flexibility and softness.
	This yarn developed by COFRA joins nylon flexibility with the resistance of steel. The union of these two materials has allowed to obtain a wire with exceptional performance which ensures flexibility and lightness, allowing at the same time a better cut protection than the normal nylon, improving glove durability.
	Resistance, comfort and durability are the basis of the new NYLOTEC technology. NYLOTEC is a nylon yarn covered with a protective film that improves the mechanical properties of abrasion and cut resistance. The coating also protects against allergies and erythema, and its very thin thickness gives the glove a very high level of dexterity and comfort.
	Composite yarn made of polyethylene with high molecular weight (UHMWPE), highly cut resistant. Thanks to an innovative technology this yarn is segmented and treated to improve its flexibility. Single threads are twisted around a stainless steel thread, providing HeliPEx yarn with flexibility and excellent cut resistance.
	Microfibre padding characterized by a complexive surface 10 times larger than the usual fibres. This implies that the THINSULATE™ microfibres keep more air, thus reducing the passage of warmth from inside to outside. This guarantees a constant thermal insulation even with strong wind and low temperatures. THINSULATE™ is a trademark of 3M.
	COFRA-TEX is a TPU membrane (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): elastic in 4 directions, super light, ultra-thin, resistant to oil and grease, with great properties of breathability and water repellency. The gloves made of COFRA-TEX membrane have excellent mechanical properties. Laboratory tests proved good tear and traction resistance.

THE FINISHES

INTERNAL FINISHES AND TREATMENTS

	FLOCKING Light internal finish made of cotton based textile fibers. It facilitates fitting and removal of the glove. It allows for greater comfort and a better moisture absorption.
	TEXTILE SUPPORT Inner part made of a textile lining made of cotton or other synthetic materials that increase the glove resistance, preserve the hand from irritation and allow to increase comfort. Suitable for long lasting works.
	CHLORINATION Glove washing treatment obtained with chlorinated water in order to remove impurities, bacteria and traces of production dust. It allows to obtain a better and easier putting on and taking off of the glove without the use of powders. It is useful to reduce the risk of allergies in latex gloves.
	POWDERED Finish obtained by putting talc or cornstarch inside the glove during the production. It facilitates the fitting (putting on and taking off) and allows for greater comfort, reducing perspiration.
	POWDER-FREE Finish especially used in the food industry, where there is the need that the products are not contaminated. It reduces the risk of irritation in individuals who suffer from irritation caused by dusts.

EXTERNAL FINISHES

	SMOOTH Finish without any kind of embossment.
	TEXTURED Light micro-rough finish (generally present on the chemical unlined or disposable gloves) which grants better grip on wet and dry surfaces.
	DIAMOND Finish granting good grip on dry surface. Diamond shape grants and improves abrasion resistance.

STRAIGHT CUFF

	STRAIGHT CUFF Standard cuff and present above all on the dipping gloves. It allows good level of breathability and it is easy to be folded.
	PINKED CUFF Standard cuff finish. It reduces fibre unravelling.
	ROLLED BEADED CUFF It keeps the glove firmly to the cuff, avoiding liquids and droplets entrance. It grants greater tear resistance when the glove is worn.