Fibre-Metal Welding Helmets & Face Protection

In plain words. Welding protection is described by what it is made of and what it blocks. Gloves are listed by leather type (cowhide, goatskin, deerskin, pigskin; grain or split), cuff length and lining, as the manufacturer states them; MIG and stick gloves are usually heavier split leather, TIG gloves thinner grain leather. Helmets and lenses are listed by shade number, the darkness of the filter (a higher number is darker), and by viewing area. FR welding clothing carries the manufacturer's arc rating in cal/cm² where it has one.

Technical. Welding filter shades follow ANSI Z87.1 (W plus the shade number) and AWS/OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 shade tables by process and amperage; auto-darkening helmets state a light state (usually 3 or 4) and a dark-state range (for example 9–13). Welding gloves and clothing are tested to ASTM F1060 / ANSI/ISEA 105 for conductive heat and EN 407 in Europe; FR fabrics to ASTM F1506 or NFPA 2112; arc ratings (ATPV or EBT, cal/cm²) to ASTM F1959. Values shown are the manufacturer's.

Ratings and specifications on this page are shown as published by the manufacturer or the named standard and describe performance in that standard's test. They are not a recommendation for any task. The employer's hazard assessment decides what protective equipment a job needs. Verify details against the manufacturer's current documentation before you buy.