What Dissolves Latex Gloves: Understanding the Risks
Chemicals That Degrade or Corrode Latex Gloves
| Chemical / Chemical Class | Effect on Latex Gloves | Latex Resistance |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum oils & greases | Causes swelling, softening, loss of strength | ❌ Poor |
| Gasoline | Rapid degradation | ❌ Poor |
| Diesel fuel | Breaks down elasticity | ❌ Poor |
| Hydraulic oil | Weakens material | ❌ Poor |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | Attacks rubber structure | ❌ Poor |
| Toluene | Severe swelling | ❌ Poor |
| Xylene | Rapid degradation | ❌ Poor |
| Chlorinated solvents | Dissolves rubber polymers | ❌ Poor |
| Methylene chloride | Severe attack | ❌ Poor |
| Trichloroethylene | Loss of integrity | ❌ Poor |
| Strong oxidizers | Cracking and embrittlement | ❌ Poor |
| Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) | Degrades rubber over time | ❌ Poor |
| Concentrated hydrogen peroxide | Oxidative damage | ❌ Poor |
| Strong acids (extended exposure) | Material breakdown | ⚠️ Limited |
| Sulfuric acid (concentrated) | Rapid degradation | ❌ Poor |
| Strong bases (extended exposure) | Weakens latex | ⚠️ Limited |
| Sodium hydroxide | Loss of tensile strength | ⚠️ Limited |
Important Exception: Acetone
| Chemical | Effect on Latex Gloves | Latex Resistance |
|---|---|---|
| Acetone | Minimal swelling, maintains barrier | ✅ Good |
Latex gloves provide good resistance to acetone, especially for short-term and splash exposure. This is one of the few aggressive solvents where natural rubber latex outperforms many other disposable glove materials.
Bottom Line (Chemical Only)
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Latex fails against oils, fuels, aromatic solvents, chlorinated solvents, and oxidizers
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Latex performs well against acetone
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Extended exposure always increases degradation risk, regardless of chemical
Interested in reading more about latex gloves? Click here to learn how latex gloves provide protection in various environments.