Disposable gloves are a great way to add a barrier of protection between your hands and what you are handling. In this video, learn what kind of glove material options there are, the differences between them, and what they are best suited for.
At Eagle Protect, we provide a variety of gloves that are suitable for a range of industries. Disposable gloves are a vital way to protect your hands from whatever you are handling.
Let’s compare the main types of disposable glove materials, from texture, thickness and color to overall durability and chemical resistance.
Latex
Latex gloves have been around for the longest time. They are tactile and puncture-resistant gloves. They are commonly used in emergency medical services and for industrial use. Due to some being allergic to proteins in latex gloves, they are frequently getting replaced with nitrile gloves.
Nitrile
Nitrile gloves are a more durable type of glove. Made from synthetic rubber, the nitrile glove has superior chemical resistance and durability, which allows for a much long-lasting experience. They vary in texture, thickness and come in a variety of colors. The nitrile glove is commonly used for food handling but is also used in many industries such as healthcare, cannabis and industrial, due to its comfort and durability. Dive deeper to find out what nitrile is and if nitrile is latex-free.
Vinyl
Vinyl gloves are made from PVC, which makes them very rigid, inflexible, and poor fitting. Commonly used in the food industry, vinyl gloves need to be changed quite frequently. They are prone to ripping and can contain potentially hazardous chemicals. We do not recommend using vinyl gloves due to their inferior barrier protection.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene gloves (PE) are extremely thin and loose-fitting. They are a cost-effective option that is optimal for food or product handling over short periods of time when frequent glove changes are required. They are gloves that also vary in quality and durability.
Chemical Resistance
When it comes to chemical resistance, nitrile is more chemical resistant than latex. Reading through the product’s safety data sheet (SDS) and verifying with the supplier if the gloves are appropriate for the chemicals used can be beneficial before making a decision. It is recommended that vinyl gloves not be used for handling chemicals.
Which Glove Material Is Best?
Overall, each glove type has its specific purpose and benefits. Latex has superior elasticity, which creates an excellent fit. Nitrile gloves offer reliable durability and quickly close the gap to rival latex’s elasticity. Vinyl gloves have minimal elasticity and provide poor protection.
At Eagle Protect, we understand the importance of purchasing disposable gloves of high quality and durability. With our range of premium disposable gloves, there are several options available that will suit many industries.
Several choices of reliable disposable gloves are available, and our comparison chart helps you choose the best glove to suit your business needs. We compare quality, value, potential user health issues, and environmental impact - all factors affecting overall safety and business risk.
Eagle supplies the highest quality and responsibly sourced products to protect you and your business. Talk to our team of experts, who can help you select the right glove.
