It may seem obvious, but whether welding indoors or outdoors, a welder requires flame-resistant and fire-retardant PPE for protection. The immediate dangers are flames, molten metal, and sparks, which must be avoided. One of the greatest fabrics for protecting a welder from burn injuries is leather. Leather is a great material that protects against both sparks and flames as well as heat. That is why it makes an excellent fabric for welding clothing. Welding boots and gloves made of 100% leather are required safety equipment for welders.
Wearing leather welding clothing over other textiles for welding has three indisputable advantages. Let’s take a closer look.
3 Reasons why Leather is an excellent fabric for Welding Clothing
1. Leather prevents heat from burning the skin at high temperatures.
Heat, not only sparks, can burn the skin when welding because temperatures reach to dangerously high levels. That’s why it’s critical that the clothes you’re wearing not only resists fire, but also heat. Leather is impervious to heat.
One of the most compelling reasons why most experienced welders prefer to wear leather jackets while welding is because of this.
2. Leather is both puncture and abrasion-resistant.
Leather has good fire resistance. If sparks come into direct touch with it, it self-extinguishes. It is indeed proven to withstand the test of time. Leather (mainly top grain leather) may last for years without being damaged due to its resilience and abrasion resistance.
However, because pure leather is animal skin, you must use it with caution. Cleaning the leather surface will be the most important component in determining how long it will last.
3. Leather shields you from sparks and flame.
Unlike leather clothing that is flame-resistant, flaming sparks can easily penetrate clothing. This can cause burn damage to the welder.
Pure leather is extremely durable and fire-resistant. That means a single spark spattered directly on the leather surface will not leave holes. It will also not allow sparks to get into direct contact with your skin and cause burn injuries. That’s why wearing leather boots and welding jackets are highly recommended for protection against sparks and flame.
