Polyco Automotive Catalogue
Disposable Glove Materials Guide
There are a number of different material types used in the manufacture of disposable gloves. Each different material has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most commonly used materials are listed below, together with their respective advantages and disadvantages. This is a general guide only and does not replace the need for a documented risk assessment for significant hazards. LATEX (Natural Rubber) Latex offers excellent flexibility and good protection with a high level of sensitivity. It performs well in terms of elasticity and tensile strength and provides excellent comfort and fee l. • The most comfortable disposable glove material, reduces hand fatigue • Natural resource, sustainable • Good resistance and protection from acids, caustics and salts • Excellent snag resistance • Can cause or trigger latex allergies NITRILE Nitrile provides excellent resistance to oil, grease and a number of chemicals. The material offers a similar feel to latex but contains none of the proteins that can cause an allergic reaction in some people. • An excellent alternative to latex with good strength and durability in use • Good protection from solvents, oils, greases, hydrocarbons and some acids and caustics • Excellent feel, comfort and flexibility • Good for splash protection against chemicals • Avoid: intentional contact with hydraulic and brake fluids, ketones, oxidizing acids and organic compounds containing nitrogen POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC/VINYL) This material provides a reasonable resistance to oil and grease, but is not as strong or as resistant to tearing as Latex or
Nitrile. Vinyl is often used for lower risk applications. • Good for acids, caustics, oils and some solvents • Good protection against low hazard chemicals • Avoid: intentional contact with ketones and aromatic solvents
Material Comfort
Latex
Nitrile
Vinyl
High High High
Medium Low
Dexterity & Flexibility
Medium Medium Medium Medium
Sensitivity
Tear & Abrasion Resistance High
High
Medium
Cut & Puncture Resistance Medium High Resistance to Oil & Grease Medium High
Low
Medium
Resistance to Chemicals
Medium High
Low
Powdered or Powder Free Gloves? Powdered gloves are covered with a light dusting of a corn starch powder which helps to aid donning of the glove and also helps to absorb perspiration. Some users find this to be beneficial and to increase comfort during prolonged use. However, the powder can also be an irritant. Different Quality of Gloves Disposable gloves are graded as being of Medical or Industrial quality. ‘AQL’ is an abbreviation of ‘Acceptable Quality Level’ and means a measurement of the consistency and quality of any manufactured goods. For disposable gloves this specifically refers to the occurrence of pinholes in the glove material. The lower the AQL number, the higher the quality of the glove. As an example, an AQL of 1.5 or lower means that a glove is fit for medical purposes, an AQL of 4.0 means that a glove is fit for industrial purposes.
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