Rubber- and plastic material used in chemical resistant gloves Ejendals’ chemical resistant gloves are available in all protective materials existing in the market. The overview below gives a summary of the different materials and their protective properties. Please note that the descriptions only include examples of the materials’ resistance to some common chemicals. You should always refer to our chemical protection guide when choosing chemical protective gloves. This will help you to find the right glove for handling the chemicals you are working with.

Butylrubber protects against aldehydes (for example, formaldehyde), glycol ethers (e.g. ethylene glycol), ketones (e.g. methyl ethyl ketone) and acids. Butyl can often provide protection where other types of rubber are less effective. It is also environmentally friendly. Thickness 0.5 – -0.7 mm. Not used for dip-coating textile gloves.

Fluorine rubber, FKM see Viton

Chloroprene rubber, CR see Neoprene

Natural rubber, NR has high elasticity and is used in medical services and housework. The material provides poor protection against most chemicals, but can be used against relatively harmless substances such as hydrogen peroxide, lye and glycol. Natural rubber is environmentally friendly but can cause allergic reactions.

Neoprene is an elastic, relatively durable rubber material, which provides protection against battery acid, phenoxyacetic acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and potassium hydroxide. Thickness 0.4 – -0.8 mm. Also dipped on textile.

Nitrile, NBR is a rubber material which is highly resistant to cuts. It provides protection against aliphatic hydrocarbons such as unleaded petrol, diesel, hexane, paraffin, white spirit and octane. It does not protect against aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene.

Polyethylene, PE is used to make very thin, disposable gloves and clothing. It provides protection against a limited number of chemicals. It is also used in laminates for gloves, which give protection against a larger range of chemicals. See also PE/EVAL/PE or PE/PA/PE. Environmentally friendly.

PE/PA/PE (Barrier) is a laminate made of thin polyethylene and polyamide films which is used in Ansell’s Barrier gloves. The gloves are lined with Tyvek and are only 0.07 mm thick. Provides protection against a wide range of chemicals.

Silvershield/4H (PE/EVAL/PE) is a laminate of polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol films used in North’s Silvershield/4H gloves. The gloves are unlined and are 0.07 mm thick. Provides protection against a wide range of chemicals. EVAL is also referred to as EVOH.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble plastic used for dip-coating textile gloves. It provides protection against substances such as methylene chloride, toluene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and trichloroethylene. Cannot be used with water or water-soluble chemicals. PVA is an Ansell trademark.

Polyvinyl chloride, PVC is used in medical and housework gloves and is dipped in various thicknesses, from thin disposable gloves to thicker textile gloves.  PVC is an alternative to natural rubber gloves for people who suffer from allergic reactions. It can be used with less hazardous chemicals such as phosphoric acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and potassium hydroxide.

Polyuratehane (PU) is an extremely hardwearing synthetic material. It provides good protection against vegetable and animal fats and oils.

Viton is a fluoroelastomer which gives protection against substances such as carbon disulphide, methanol, sulphuric acid, turpentine, toluene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene and acetic acid. Viton is a trademark of DuPont Dow Elastomers. Glove manufacturers which do not buy the material from DuPont refer to it as fluoroelastomer or FKM.