Are composite toe safety boots as safe as steel caps?

The high-end Australian customer service team always gives composite toe safety boots and safety shoes that will be safe as those of the still toes. You won't have any idea about how the composite toes are made, but sometimes it turns out to be hard to believe how they can be quite strong like the Steel ones. Non-metallic toe caps are turning out to be increasingly popular because of the Handy features, and most of them come with the same protection as that of the steel toes. 

So, in this article, you will come to know whether or not the composite toe boots are certified. Always it turns out to be important to note that the composite boots are satisfactory. When you are buying them, you can see that some of them will also come with the dodgy styles of the model that are not at all safe, as the Steel caps. The composite of the Steel safety boots also turns out to be compliant and safe when t complies with the latest Australian and New Zealand standards for safety boots. It is currently AZ/NZS 2210.2:2009 when it comes to the Australian standard safety. Besides, the compliance point is equivalent to the European standard that turns out to be EN ISO 20345. The American standard for the same is ASTM F2413. The use of magnum boots is gradually increasing to give the competitive advantage. 

You can go ahead with checking to see whether the boots are certified by the information tag on the tongue of the boot or not. The standard comes with the three main tests for it.

This can be a perfect one for ensuring that the work boots stands up to the hazards for keeping away the hazards in the workplace. The compression test is good enough for the measurement of the top cap being compressed by the plate right above it. This is equivalent to 15kN/1.5 ton. Right after the test is complete, there is a clearance between the toes and the toe cap that must be around 12.5 millimetre/ 15 millimetres. However, it should be such depending on the shoe size. This will be ensuring the safety toe cap doesn't get gift into the toes when they are underneath something heavy. 

The bonding test comes with the involvement of the measuring of the force that is needed for the separation of the different layers in the construction of the boot, like the outsole and the midsole. The impact test must pass as well that comes with the involvement of the 20kg striker that is impacting the tip at the force of around 200 joules.

For the boots to be certified, you must always pay attention to keeping the gap of 12.5 mm/ 15mm. However, it is dependent on the size of the space between the cap and the toes. Right after the test, take into consideration the downward force for passing the Australian standard. The composite caps should have the capability of withstanding 15kN compression. When it comes to the real-life scenario, this is something that will be withstanding the light medium-weight vehicle driving over them. It has a capacity of withstanding even the heavy hammer that is dropped onto them right from the bench height.

The composite toe caps get designed to perfectly bear the impact while spreading the load to the side. Some of the shoes are fit to be designed for regaining around 80% of the height right after the impact.

Right after the completion of the advantageous serving period of the boots, it becomes essential to replace the boots. 

The material build-up of these safety boots 

You can get the availability of the two major types of composite toe cap that find use in safety boots. They are as follows:

• Thermoplastic toe caps 

These are the ones that are made from polycarbonate, which works in the form of a material that finds use in the vehicle bumper because of the high impact strength. Again the material polycarbonate gets injected into the mould in the toe caps shape. 

• Composite toe caps 

The composite toe caps are the second type that comes with the common measure of the manufacturing of the non-steel city caps. The system of manufacturing works with the utilisation of the impregnating sheets of the fibreglass with the resins. The materials get layered and pressed for reduction of the thickness before it gets formed into the right shape.

The benefits of the composite toe boots 

While there are different kinds of benefits of composite safety boots as well as shoes, they are never responsible for conducting the temperature like the steel toes. This is the property that is fit for making them the perfect option for working in the cold and the hot temperatures. This is where you will need the boots for use with the composite toe caps. There are around 30% lighter compared to the steel cap boots due to the materials that are involved in them. 

Set of the metal detectors in the airports can work in detecting them easily, thus making them the best option. It comes with the standards of travel friendliness. 

Drawbacks of the composite toe footwear 

Sometimes composite footwear turns out to be expensive compared to steel caps. However, it is dependent on the manufacturing process that has been involved in it. There is yet another drawback in the manner that the composite toes pass the impact and the pressure test for meeting Australian standards. However, the materials that are used in them sometimes are not that impactful as those of the still. This is something that can be perfectly safe enough for most of the job roles except for the high-risk environment. 

Sometimes it turns out to be necessary to consider the steel toe versions because it turns out to be the safest options when it comes to the high confinement. 

Now the question is- are the composite toe boots quite safe like the steel toe?

First of all, you must remember that for answering this you have to take into consideration the environment where you are working. However, “it is a yes that the composite toe safety boots are better compared to the steel boots. However, they must meet with the same impact and pressure test as well as a standard like we have mentioned above. Always pay attention to choosing a reputable safety composite footwear that will be making sure about giving you enjoyment with the range of the benefits of the comp toes. Always remember that there is never any composite material that will be as strong as that of steel cap boots.