Materials

Basic Materials

 

 

Leather

The leather glove is the oldest type of glove known to man. The most common leathers are cowhide, buffalo, goatskin, pigskin or lambskin. Leather can be used in two forms, grain leather the smooth outer side of a piece of leather offering suppleness and dexterity or split leather, the rougher inner side which is economical and has good abrasion resistance.

 

Cotton

A natural fibre that is exceptionally subtle, soft and comfortable. Cotton also excels in absorbing perspiration and is breathable. It insulates well, making it ideal to use in heat resistant products.

 

Wool

A natural fibre which is subtle, soft and comfortable. Wool has excellent heat insulation and has natural flame resistance. Wool also provides good dexterity when used as a liner in conjuction with materials.

 

Polyester

A durable, synthetic fiber that is resistant to abrasion and tearing with low moisture absorbency that resists shrinkage during laundering.

 

Cotton/Polyester

Polyester, a synthetic fiber, is blended with natural cotton fibers to increase strength and offer basic abrasion resistance.

 

Nylon

Nylon is a synthetic, low linting, high tensile strength fiber that offers excellent dexterity and tactile sensitivity.

 

Acrylic

A synthetic fiber that helps provide insulation from cold temperatures and is quick drying.

 

Jersey

Knit fabric that stretches to provide an excellent form fit.

 

Canvas

Woven fabric with napped surface on one side.

 

 

High Performance Materials

 

 

DuPont KEVLAR

Manufactured by DuPont, KEVLAR is a lightweight para-aramid fibre with extraordinary strength and toughness. When used in Hand and Arm Protective products KEVLAR absorbs energy, resists cuts and abrasion. What's more, KEVLAR provides exceptionally long wear life, heat resistance and dexterity for intricate jobs. Weight for weight, KEVLAR is five times stronger than steel and provides a cut resistance up to five times higher than that of leather

 

Twaron

Twaron is a very strong, light para-aramid fiber (poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide) developed and produced exclusively by Teijin Aramid. It has a high modulus, and is thermally stable, and highly impact and chemical resistant.

 

Dyneema 

Dyneema is a high-performance polyethylene (HPPE) fibre produced using a patented gel spinning process that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight and 15 times stronger than steel. Dyneema is highly resistant to water, sweat, odours and chemicals, providing a longer operational life for the finished product. Elliott Australia does not use Dyneema.

 

Dynamax 

Dynamax is also a high-performance polyethylene (HPPE) fibre that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. Dynamax is highly flexible, comfortable and strong fibre.

 

Spectra

Spectra fibre is one of the world's strongest and lightest fibres. A bright white fibre that is, weight-for-weight, 10 times stronger than steel, more durable than polyester and has a specific strength that is 40 per cent greater than aramid fibre. Spectra fibre is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene that is produced in a patented gel-spinning process. Light enough to float, Spectra fibre exhibits high resistance to chemicals, water and UV light, it also has excellent vibration damping and flex-fatigue characteristics.

 

Stainless Steel

A corrosion-resistant metal with extremely high cut-resistant properties.

 

 

Chemical/Liquid Resistant Materials

 

 

Latex/Natural Rubber

Natural rubber is the most elastic substance known and is found in over 200 plants including the rubber tree. Natural rubber is extremely elastic, flexible and soft yet tough and durable as a coating that provides protection from physical hazards such as cuts, punctures and slashes and provides outstanding grip. Good for exposure to aqueous chemicals such as acids and caustics, and limited protection from alcohols and ketones. Does not hold up well in organic solvents, oils, greases or fuels such as kerosene or gasoline. Caution: Natural rubber latex has been shown to cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

 

Nitrile

Nitrile (Nitrile butadiene rubber,NBR), a synthetic rubber is used to make a variety of gloves from heavy duty work gloves to ultra thin medical gloves. A nitrile coating provides protection from physical hazards such as cut, puncture or abrasion. Nitrile dipped gloves also provide chemical resistance to petrochemicals, oils, greases, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals while providing excellent flexibility and dexterity.

 

Foamed Nitrile

Porous nitrile coating absorbs oils better than flat coating. Provides excellent grip in oily or greasy applications while maintaining the cut, slash and abrasion resistance of a flat nitrile coating. The foamed nitrile coating absorbs oil and grease to ensure a firm grip.

 

Neoprene (Polychloroprene)

Neoprene is a high-performance synthetic elastomer that is obtained by the polymerization of polychloroprene, a chlorine compound.Neoprene gloves are strong and durable providing excellent hand protection from physical hazards such as cuts and abrasions. Neoprene gloves are soft and flexible and provide excellent chemical resistance. Good for exposure to organic and inorganic acids as well as organic solvents, oils, greases and petrochemicals. Neoprene is a registered trademark of Dupont

 

PVC (Poly-Vinyl-Chloride)

PVC is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer. PVC gloves provide limited protection from a limited range of chemicals and can offer abrasion and puncture resistance. Because of their cost-effectiveness and their robustness gloves made of high quality PVC are still very popular in the chemical industry, predominately for splash protection.

 

Polyurethane

Flexible, synthetic material helps protect hands from harmful residues and chemicals while providing excellent grip and abrasion resistance. Provides excellent tactile sensitivity.

 

Butyl Rubber

Synthetic material that resists snags, abrasions, and cuts for extreme chemicals. This synthetic elastomer is nearly impermeable to gas (used as NBC gloves for military). Gloves made of "butyl" are suited for operations with high concentrated acids (hydrofluoric acid) and alkalis as well as alcohols, saturated salt solutions, glycol ethers, glycerol, hydrogen peroxide and so on. Furthermore, the resistance of "butyl" against solvents like aldehydes, ketones (acetone) and esters is excellent.

 

Tri-Polymer

Latex blended with neoprene and nitrile for extra chemical protection against a broad range of chemicals. Especially useful for splash protection in laboratory/testing and sampling situations.

 

 

Safety Gloves & Hand Protection - References