CHEMICAL RESISTANCE (GLOVES)
General Chemical Resistance Chart for Glove Materials
The following chart provides a general comparison of the chemical resistance of the most common glove materials used in laboratories, industrial facilities, aquaculture, healthcare, and chemical handling. Ratings assume normal room temperature (20–25°C) and intermittent exposure. For prolonged contact or highly hazardous chemicals, always consult the glove manufacturer's permeation data.
| Chemical / Chemical Class | Nitrile | Latex | Neoprene | Butyl Rubber | Viton® | PVC | PVA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Salt solutions | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Dilute acids | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Concentrated acids | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Dilute alkalis | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Concentrated alkalis | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Alcohols | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Aldehydes | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Ketones (acetone, MEK) | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Esters | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Aromatic solvents (toluene, xylene) | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Aliphatic hydrocarbons | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Chlorinated solvents | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Mineral oils | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Greases | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Diesel fuel | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Gasoline | ★★★★☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Hydrogen peroxide | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Resistance Ratings
| Rating | Description |
|---|---|
| ★★★★★ | Excellent – Suitable for prolonged exposure |
| ★★★★☆ | Very Good – Suitable for routine handling |
| ★★★☆☆ | Good – Suitable for intermittent contact |
| ★★☆☆☆ | Fair – Limited use; short exposure only |
| ★☆☆☆☆ | Poor – Not recommended |
| ☆☆☆☆☆ | Do not use |
Characteristics of Common Glove Materials
| Material | Advantages | Limitations | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrile | Excellent puncture resistance, oils, fuels, many chemicals | Poor against ketones and some aromatic solvents | Laboratories, aquaculture, industrial maintenance, automotive |
| Natural Latex | Excellent dexterity and comfort | Poor solvent resistance; allergy potential | Medical, biological, food handling |
| Neoprene | Good resistance to acids, bases, oils | Moderate solvent resistance | Laboratories, chemical processing |
| Butyl Rubber | Outstanding protection against ketones, esters, aldehydes, and corrosives | Expensive; lower abrasion resistance | Hazardous chemical handling |
| Viton® | Exceptional resistance to aromatic, chlorinated, and petroleum solvents | High cost; less flexible | Petrochemical, hazardous materials, chemical manufacturing |
| PVC (Vinyl) | Good resistance to acids and alkalis; inexpensive | Poor resistance to many organic solvents | Food processing, cleaning, general chemical handling |
| PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) | Excellent resistance to many organic solvents | Dissolves or degrades in water; unsuitable for aqueous solutions | Specialized solvent handling |
Typical Glove Selection
| Chemical Type | Recommended Glove Material |
|---|---|
| Acids | Neoprene, Butyl, Nitrile |
| Alkalis | Nitrile, Neoprene, PVC |
| Alcohols | Butyl, Nitrile |
| Acetone | Butyl, PVA |
| MEK | Butyl, PVA |
| Toluene | Viton®, PVA |
| Xylene | Viton®, PVA |
| Gasoline | Viton®, Nitrile |
| Diesel | Nitrile, Viton® |
| Oils and Grease | Nitrile |
| Bleach | Neoprene, PVC, Nitrile |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Neoprene, Butyl |
General Recommendations
- Nitrile is the best all-around choice for laboratories, aquaculture, maintenance, and general industrial work due to its broad chemical resistance and durability.
- Neoprene performs well with many acids, bases, oxidizers, and disinfectants.
- Butyl rubber offers superior protection against ketones, esters, aldehydes, and highly corrosive chemicals.
- Viton® provides the best resistance to aggressive organic solvents, fuels, and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
- PVC is economical for handling acids, alkalis, and water-based chemicals but is not suitable for many organic solvents.
- PVA is highly resistant to many organic solvents but should never be used with water or aqueous solutions because the material is water-soluble.
