Chemical Resistant Gloves: Which Chemicals Require Which Glove Material?
When working with hazardous chemicals, choosing the right chemical resistant gloves is critical. Not all gloves protect against the same substances. A glove that performs well against gasoline may fail completely against acetone.
Understanding chemical compatibility helps prevent burns, skin absorption, and long-term exposure risks.
Below is a practical compatibility guide showing specific industrial chemicals and the glove materials that act as effective barriers.
Chemical Compatibility Chart: Common Industrial Chemicals
| Chemical | Common Use | Nitrile | Neoprene | PVC | Butyl | Latex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfuric Acid | Battery plants, water treatment | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Moderate |
| Hydrochloric Acid | Metal cleaning | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Moderate |
| Sodium Hydroxide | Refineries, manufacturing | Good | Good | Excellent | Good | Moderate |
| Acetone | Paint removal, labs | Poor | Poor | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| Toluene | Adhesives, coatings | Fair | Fair | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| Xylene | Printing, rubber | Fair | Good | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| Gasoline | Automotive, oil & gas | Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | Poor |
| Diesel Fuel | Fleet maintenance | Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | Poor |
| Methanol | Fuel processing, labs | Good | Good | Fair | Excellent | Fair |
| Organophosphate Pesticides | Agriculture | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | Moderate |
Understanding Glove Materials
Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile offers excellent resistance to petroleum products, oils, greases, and many acids. It is commonly used in automotive, oil & gas, and industrial maintenance.
Best for:
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Gasoline and diesel
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Oils and lubricants
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Many industrial chemicals
Avoid prolonged exposure to:
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Strong ketones like acetone
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Aromatic solvents
Neoprene Gloves
Neoprene provides balanced protection across acids, caustics, and peroxides. It performs well in chemical plants and sanitation environments.
Best for:
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Acid handling
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Cleaning chemicals
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Water treatment operations
PVC Gloves
PVC gloves are strong against acids and caustics but are not ideal for strong organic solvents.
Best for:
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Chemical splash protection
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Petrochemical handling
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Janitorial applications
Butyl Rubber Gloves
Butyl provides superior resistance to ketones, esters, and highly aggressive solvents. It offers the highest resistance to gas and vapor permeation.
Best for:
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Acetone
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MEK
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Hazardous solvent applications
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Laboratory environments
When You Should Wear Chemical Resistant Gloves
Chemical resistant gloves are required when:
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Handling concentrated acids or caustics
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Transferring fuels or petroleum solvents
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Mixing industrial cleaners
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Applying pesticides
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Performing chemical drum handling
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Working where splash or immersion is possible
If skin contact could result in burns, absorption, or toxicity, gloves are not optional.
Always Check Breakthrough Time
Compatibility depends on:
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Chemical concentration
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Temperature
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Exposure duration
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Glove thickness
Always review manufacturer permeation data before selecting gloves for high-risk environments.