Dyneema– Dyneema was developed by DSM as a multipurpose high performance polyethylene fiber. It has excellent
abrasion and cut resistance, being up to 15 times stronger than steel (weight for weight). It is cool to the touch and comfortable
to wear and also launders well.
Kevlar– Kevlar is a fiber developed by the DuPont company for use in high performance applications. The par-aramid fibe
has a high resistance to cuts which makes it ideal for use in cut resistant gloves for applications where sharp objects are being
handled. The high tensile strength and low weight of Kevlar makes it durable yet lightweight to wear. Kevlar is flame
resistant, self-extinguishing and can be used at elevated temperatures.
Blended Kevlar/Cotton/Polyester – Kevlar can be mechanically blended with cotton and polyester to provide cut protection.
Blending and knitting are done in such a way as to leave the Kevlar (for cut protection) on the outside of the glove and the
poly/cotton (for comfort) on the inside. This is a cost effective way of enhancing cut protection on a poly/cotton glove.
Polyester/Cotton – Poly/cotton blends are commonly used in string knit gloves because of their comfort, durability and
excellent laundering characteristics. By mixing polyester with cotton, shrinkage can be minimized.
Nylon – Certain nylons have a high resistance to abrasion and provide a synthetic string-knit glove that is lint free. Shrinkage
in nylon gloves is minimal and more uniform than in cotton, so nylon launders very well. Nylon is the material of choice
for finer 13 and 15 gauge knitted gloves.
Stainless Steel Mesh – A mesh of individually welded stainless steel rings provides the best cut protection of any glove material.
Leather – Leather is a traditional material for gloves that is waning in popularity, but still has applications in general industry
due to it’s relative low cost, abrasion resistance, and ability to withstand high temperatures and hazards such as weld spatter.
There are many different types and grades of leather available, and care is needed to ensure the desired level of performance
is achieved.
Nitrile (NBR) – Nitrile can be applied to knit and cut-and-sewn gloves using several methods, including screen printing, foam
coating and dipping.It offers good mechanical properties (resistance to abrasion, cuts, tears and punctures) and yet is soft and
flexible so that gloves do not feel stiff. Grip is also good and can be enhanced further by air-infusing (foaming) the nitrile during dipping.
This creates an open surface texture and greater surface area which improves grip on wet or oily objects. Nitrile is also
a good choice in high heat applications because it does not melt at high temperatures,which could create product contamination
issues (for example, in an application such as auto-glass manufacture).
Polyurethane (PU) – Polyurethane is the toughest of the popular coating polymers, with the best resistance to abrasion, cuts,
tears and punctures. This makes it highly suitable for cut resistant gloves, where its mechanical properties compliment those
of the high performance fibers used in those kinds of gloves. Also, because it’s tough, coatings can be made thinner than with
other polymers, yet still provide comparable levels of protection. This makes it a good choice for applications such as fine
assembly work where a high level of tactility (feel) is important.
Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) – PVC has been a popular choice for inexpensive dipped supported gloves for decades. In more
recent years it has emerged as an attractive option for palm coated dipped gloves. Applied as an air infused (foamed) coating,
it offers exceptional wet and dry grip as well as mechanical properties that rival nitrile and polyurethane.
MicroFinish Nitrile – MicroFinish is a revolutionary, high grip glove finish. It is a two stage process that coats the glove
in a liquid-proof nitrile layer, followed by a second nitrile layer that is textured with thousands of microscopic pockets that
clear oil and other liquids from a surface and enable a sure and confident grip. MicroFinish outperforms foamed finishes in
terms of grip, and being a nitrile, it also provides good resistance to abrasion,cuts, tears and punctures.
Natural Rubber (Latex) – Natural rubber has been a popular glove coating material for many years. Normally supplied
with a “crinkle” finish, it provides a thicker than average coating that offers good grip and mechanical protection. Natural
rubber latex can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Dipped Gloves are made by dipping a hand shaped form (with or without a liner) into a tank, or successive tanks of polymer in
Liquid form. There are two basic types of process:
Latex dipping – This is a water based process. The dipping polymer is in solution with water. This process is used for over
95% of all un-supported gloves produced around the world and is a fast process, done on a large scale. Latex dipped gloves
(typically nitrile, natural rubber and PVC) are produced quickly and economically, and usually in a single dip.
Solvent dipping – Also known as cement dipping. The polymer is in solution with a solvent. This process involves multiple
dips and is a relatively long and labor intensive process that produces a glove of exceptional quality. Multiple dips provide a
multi-layer glove (like a glove within a glove, within a glove). A solvent dipped glove has better integrity than its latex dipped.
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