7 Chemical Resistant Gloves that you should consider!

Industrial workplaces are often surrounded by chemical hazards. Workplaces may involve a voluntary or involuntary interaction with the chemicals. Irrespective of it, the protection of the employees in the industries with PPE gear is necessary. In this article, chemicals are considered any substance that can cause temporary or permanent damage to the hands. So, the focus shall be on the chemical-resistant gloves that protect your hands from injuries & irritations due to chemical exposure. 

What are chemical resistant gloves? 

You must be aware of the surgical gloves that are widely donned in the healthcare industry. What differentiates them from chemical-resistant gloves? These gloves are hand protection PPE that protects from chemicals. Surgical gloves are disposable and meant for the provision of dexterity. For this reason, they are stretchable, which negates chemical resistance. It is due to the ease of chemical permeation through the gloves. For this reason, the design of chemical-resistant gloves is in such a way that the chemical permeation is restricted. 

Defining chemical resistant gloves encompasses a wide range of hand gloves. Now, as there is a wide range of chemicals, there are different types of hand gloves that are available on the market. Chemicals can be classified based on their nature, toxicity, and amount of exposure. Along these lines, the design of these gloves is to counter them. Before we go through the safety gloves one by one, let’s check out when you should don them.

Check out our detailed article on safety gloves.

FAQ - When should one don chemical resistant gloves? 

Whenever there is a chance of chemical exposure, one needs to don safety gloves. The exposure may be voluntary or even involuntary. Irrespective, even the slightest chance of chemical exposure needs to be considered. 

What questions should you ask before choosing chemical resistant gloves?

What is the nature of chemicals?

Chemicals can be solid, liquid, or gas. While most industrial chemicals are liquids followed by solids & gases, it is vital to don chemical-resistant hand gloves accordingly. 

Is the exposure to chemicals voluntary or involuntary? What is the exposure duration of the chemical?

If there is any direct contact with the chemicals voluntarily (for example, mixing), the chemical exposure is for a longer duration. This aspect must be considered accordingly. One should also consider whether the hand gloves can resist chemical splashes or not.

Do the chemical resistant gloves intend only to protect the hands or protect the entirety of the arm?

The answer to this question would narrow down the selection of safety gloves. 

How much dexterity is required while donning the gloves?

One needs to understand that if the gloves are dexterous, it comes at the cost of chemical resistance. Basically, the dexterity of gloves is inversely proportional to their chemical resistance.

Do the industrial workplace conditions have other hazards which need to be addressed?

Abrasion, cuts, scratches, pressure, temperature, and other hazards should also be considered. Accordingly, the design of safety gloves should take count of other hazards & risks posed to them.

FAQ - What features should one look for in chemical resistant gloves?

1. Breakthrough time
2. Chemicals against which they are resistant
3. Comfort
4. Dexterity
5. Degradation
6. Permeation rate
7. Puncture-resistant, abrasion-resistant, cut-resistant, etc.
8. Durability

Seven chemical resistant gloves that you should consider!

Latex (rubber)

They are the only naturally available material on the list. Latex gloves were once widely used. With the introduction of the synthetic material and allergic reactions of a few against latex, they have lost their charm. Yet it offers protection against a wide range of acids, alkalis, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, pesticides, and fertilizers. Latex gloves are thin, inexpensive, stretchable, dexterous, and flexible. To ease the donning of the gloves, the interiors are powdered. Most of these gloves are disposable with an exception of heavy-duty rubber gloves. They are susceptible to cuts, scratches, and abrasion.

Butyl

Butyl is a dexterous, flexible, elastic synthetic polymer material. They provide much-needed protection against oxidation, abrasion, and corrosion. It offers protection against a wide range of gasses, vapors, mineral acids, bases, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, nitrogen compounds, esters, and rocket fuels. Butyl gloves are used for particular purposes only as they are relatively expensive. It is important to note that butyl gloves don’t protect against aromatic & aliphatic hydrocarbons.

Neoprene

Neoprene is a synthetic alternative to rubber gloves. They are preferred over rubber because of their flexibility, dexterity, tear resistance, and wear resistance. It offers protection against a wide range of organic acids, bases, inks, alcohols, oils, greases, petroleum products, and aliphatic solvents. Unlike rubber, neoprene can be used at higher & lower temperatures. They don’t resist oxidizing agents.

Nitrile

Nitrile gloves are inexpensive & highly chemical-resistant hand gloves. They are puncture-resistant, comfortable, durable, and easy to wear. It offers protection against a wide range of acids, bases, petroleum products, oils, greases, alcohols, asphalt, fertilizers, and detergents. They are not flame-resistant and hence susceptible while handling ketones & oxidizing acids.

Viton

A specialty material developed especially for the aerospace industry has an insane chemical & heat resistance. Viton gloves are the most expensive chemical-resistant gloves. They are the best when dealing with carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbons.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

PVC is a well-known inexpensive polymer material widely used for chemical-resistant gloves. They are known for their dexterity, durability, flexibility, and puncture & cut resistance. It offers protection against a wide range of acids, bases, peroxides, alcohols, amines, glycols, detergents, silicates, fluorides, and oxidizing agents. But, PVC has a poor heat resistance and doesn’t resist organic solvents.

Polyvinyl alcohol

Polyvinyl alcohol gloves are known for their high resistance to gases. As these gloves are manufactured using a synthetic material soluble in water, they shouldn’t be used in water or solutions containing water. PVA is highly resistant to gases. It offers protection against various aliphatics, aromatics, aromatic & chlorinated solvents, esters, and ketones. PVA gloves should not be donned against alcohols.

For a detailed analysis of the selection of hand protection PPE, check out our article on how to choose safety gloves.

Conclusion

Chemical resistant gloves are necessary to hand protection PPE. When choosing the correct safety gloves, one needs to analyze various factors, features, pros, and cons. In this article, we have discussed seven chemical resistant gloves with detailed analysis. Consider their features and choose the best safety gloves for your needs. Stay Safe! Shop Safe!