For industrial sites where workers may be exposed to chemicals or flying debris, selecting the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential. However, despite the growing industry need to consolidate protective requirements in one universal product, material characteristics for face protection applications vary greatly, affecting the level of protection a product provides.
To ensure that the most applicable faceshield is selected for each environment, workers at industrial sites must understand the different characteristics of existing and recently introduced faceshield materials. For manufacturers of PPE, focusing on material specification early in the development of a faceshield can help ensure the most effective final product.
Material considerations for face protection applications include safety, visibility and durability. Any change in the surface of a protective faceshield, such as marring due to chemical contact or scratches caused by projectile debris, can impair vision. As a result, the faceshield often is considered a failure, regardless of the retention of other properties. For example, a faceshield that has been hit and cracked by flying material fragments may be completely compromised due to its lack of toughness despite its remaining potential for chemical resistance. For this reason it is important to evaluate all factors including chemical, heat and scratch resistance; impact strength; toughness and optical clarity when selecting a faceshield material.
Because the types of exposures vary greatly depending on the nature of the work environment, materials also vary greatly. Materials considered for faceshields include polycarbonate (PC), cellulosics, polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and a new-generation copolyester recently introduced to the market that offers a combination of characteristics to meet the changing needs of the face protection market.