Welding and Heat Resistant Gloves

Welding gloves are judged on two standards at once. EN 407 measures thermal performance across six separate tests, and EN 12477 decides whether the finished glove is a heavy duty Type A or a dexterous Type B. Reading both tells you whether a glove suits stick welding or fine TIG work.

The six EN 407 digits in order

Under the flame pictogram EN 407 prints six characters, and each is a distinct test. Position one is burning behaviour, rated 1 to 4, measuring how long the material keeps flaming and glowing after the ignition source is removed. Position two is contact heat, rated 1 to 4, the temperature the glove can hold against the skin for 15 seconds without the inside rising more than 10 degrees Celsius, from 100 degrees at level 1 to 500 degrees at level 4.

Position three is convective heat, rated 1 to 4, the time before heat from a flame raises the inner surface by 24 degrees Celsius. Position four is radiant heat, rated 1 to 4, the time to the same rise under a radiant source. Position five is resistance to small splashes of molten metal, rated 1 to 4, counted as the number of droplets needed to lift the inner temperature by 40 degrees. Position six is resistance to large quantities of molten metal, rated 1 to 4, the mass of molten iron poured before a PVC skin behind the sample is damaged.

An X in any position means that test was not performed or is not applicable. For welding, positions two, five and six matter most, because contact with hot work and spatter causes most burns.

EN 12477 Type A against Type B

EN 12477 sorts welding gloves into two classes. Type A demands higher thermal and mechanical performance and accepts reduced dexterity. Type B demands higher dexterity and accepts lower thermal performance, which is why it must reach at least dexterity level 4 under EN ISO 21420.

Specify Type A for manual metal arc, gas metal arc and any process producing heavy spatter or sustained radiant heat, and for handling hot work after welding. Specify Type B for TIG welding, where a thin glove is needed to feed filler wire and control the torch, and where spatter is minimal.

Grain against split cowhide

Grain leather is the outer surface of the hide. It is smoother, thinner and more supple, so it gives better feel and resists picking up spatter, which makes it the usual choice for TIG gloves and for the palm of a general purpose glove.

Split leather is the inner layer left after the grain is removed. It is thicker, has a suede surface and holds heat off the hand for longer, which suits heavy stick welding and gouging. Split hide is also cheaper, so heavy gloves are often split throughout while lighter gloves use grain palms with split backs and cuffs.

Why Kevlar stitching matters

A glove is only as good as its seams. Cotton or polyester thread scorches and melts, and once the palm seam opens the glove is finished no matter how much leather is left. Aramid thread such as Kevlar keeps its strength at temperatures that destroy conventional thread, so a Kevlar stitched glove survives to the end of the leather rather than failing at the first hot seam.

Look for welted seams on the palm as well. A welt places a strip of leather in the seam so the thread sits below the surface and is shielded from direct spatter.

Matching cuff length to the process

Cuff length is a process decision, not a preference. Short cuffs of around 10 to 15 centimetres suit TIG and light fabrication where the arm is clear and the work is fine. Standard gauntlets of around 15 to 20 centimetres cover the wrist and lower forearm for general MIG and stick work.

Long gauntlets of 30 centimetres or more are for overhead welding, gouging and furnace work, where spatter falls down the arm and radiant heat is constant. Whatever the length, the cuff must be loose enough for the glove to be thrown off quickly if metal gets inside, and the sleeve of the jacket should sit over the cuff for overhead work so nothing can run in.

Welding & Heat range

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between EN 12477 Type A and Type B?

Type A gloves meet higher thermal and mechanical requirements and are intended for processes with heavy spatter and sustained heat, such as stick and MIG welding. Type B gloves prioritise dexterity, must reach at least dexterity level 4 under EN ISO 21420, and are intended for TIG welding where fine control matters more than bulk insulation.

What does an X in the EN 407 rating mean?

An X means that particular test was not carried out or does not apply to the glove. It is not a failure. Check which positions carry real figures, because a glove with strong contact heat performance but an X against molten metal is not suitable for casting or pouring work.

Should I choose grain or split leather for welding?

Grain leather is thinner and more supple, giving better feel for TIG and light fabrication and shedding spatter more readily. Split leather is thicker and insulates for longer, which suits stick welding, gouging and hot work handling. Many gloves combine a grain palm with a split back and cuff.

How long should a welding glove cuff be?

Around 10 to 15 centimetres suits TIG and light bench work, 15 to 20 centimetres covers general MIG and stick welding, and 30 centimetres or more is appropriate for overhead work, gouging and furnace tasks where spatter falls along the arm. The cuff must still allow the glove to be removed quickly.

Relevant industries

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