Are Nitrile Gloves Heat Resistant?

The short answer is no — disposable nitrile gloves are not heat resistant.

Disposable nitrile gloves are designed for barrier protection, not thermal protection. While they perform well against oils and many chemicals, they are not suitable for sustained heat exposure.

Why Disposable Nitrile Gloves Are Not Heat Resistant

When exposed to heat, disposable nitrile gloves will:

• Soften and lose structural integrity

• Tear or fail under light stress

• Degrade more quickly when heat and chemicals are combined

They may tolerate brief incidental warmth, but they are not intended for hot surfaces, heated liquids, or elevated process temperatures.

When Disposable Gloves Stop Being Appropriate

Disposable nitrile gloves reach their limit when:

• Handling hot materials or solutions

• Working near heated equipment

• Exposure is prolonged rather than incidental

At this point, disposable gloves become a liability, not protection.

What to Use Instead (Based on the Hazard)

When Chemical Protection Is Required

Upgrade to reusable chemical-resistant gloves, typically:

• ~22 mil thickness

• Extended cuffs for splash and heat run-off protection

• Designed to withstand chemical exposure at elevated temperatures

These gloves maintain integrity where disposable nitrile gloves rapidly fail.

When Chemical Protection Is Not Required

If the primary hazard is heat, not chemicals, hot mill gloves are usually the better solution.

Hot mill gloves are designed specifically for:

• Handling hot metal or materials

• Intermittent to continuous heat exposure

• Mechanical and thermal protection

They provide superior insulation and durability compared to disposable or chemical-resistant gloves when chemical barriers are not necessary.

Final Takeaway

Disposable nitrile gloves are not heat resistant and should not be used when heat is a meaningful part of the task. If chemicals are involved, upgrading to a thick, reusable chemical-resistant glove (around 22 mil with extended cuff) is typically required. If chemicals are not involved, hot mill gloves are often the safest and most appropriate choice.

For help selecting the right glove based on heat, chemical exposure, or both, Inland Empire Safety & Supply can help match the hazard to the correct level of hand protection.

Want to learn more about nitrile gloves? Read Can You Be Allergic to Nitrile Gloves blog to know the safety, benefits, and allergy concerns related to powder-free nitrile gloves.