Workgloves ~ Guide to Chemical Resistance

 Texas America Safety Company
Safety Resources 
WORK GLOVES – Guide to Chemical Resistance
The following guide provides information as to chemical resistance of various types of safety gloves. It is important to note that this guide is in no way a warranty of the performance of any glove but is intended solely to provide information on typical resistance characteristics of varied glove materials when in contact with given chemical agents. Resistance can be affected by many factors such as ambient or solution temperature, length of time in direct contact with chemicals, chemical concentration, thickness of gloves as well as other factors. Preliminary testing of glove suitability for the needed tasks should ALWAYS precede use in hazardous applications, especially when dealing with chemicals.
  • LATEX:
    Latex gloves have ideal resistance against abrasions, cutting or tearing; have good gripping ability and temperature resistance; withstand water-based solutions; the translucent styles are well-suited to general household cleaning. Heavier latex gloves resist strong cleaning agents and paint strippers while providing tactile and grip advantages. For use with sharp-edged materials such as knife blades, glass shards, splintered wood, rock and brick, for example, the coated styles overlaid on fabric are advisable to better withstand contact with these sharp objects. Latex gloves are NOT recommended where open flame is present and they are not effective against oil, petroleum products, grease, or high concentration derivatives of these products.
  • NEOPRENE:
    Neoprene gloves provide ideal protection against strong acids, alkalis, and many other chemicals. They provide excellent temperature resistance and superior flexibility and tactile strength much as do Latex gloves. Neoprene material is impermeable to moisture, vapors and gasses, and is resistant to commercial herbicides and pesticides, oils, and degreasing solutions. Coated neoprene gloves are used in petrochemical, plating, pharmaceutical, galvanizing, metal work, and in industrial material handling.
  • NITRILE:
    Nitrile has ideal resistance to many hazardous chemicals and chemical solvents. This synthetic material resists cutting, punctures, and provides flexibility. Nitrile performs well in varied temperatures against caustics, kerosene, oils, turpentine, herbicides, pesticides, greases, acids, naphta, and alcohol. Gloves of nitrile are used widely in farm and landscaping applications and perform well in commercial cleaning, maintenance and painting types of work.
  • PVC:
    This type of glove is ideal for short-term protection when dealing with caustics, many oils, fats, acids, and petro-hydrocarbons. They provide economical protection against glycol ethers and alcohols. PVC material has a limited temperature range from 25 F to 150 F. PVC is NOT recommended for use with non-petro hydrocarbons, ketones, and compounds of nitric, halogenic and hetrocyclic.


Texas America Safety Company
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  Brownwood, TX 76801
 
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