Category: Liquid Proof

Butyl Gloves

Posted on by The Glove Guru

First, we are proud to announce that we have added the Guardian Butyl Glove Line to our vast glove offerings. Guardian is the largest and foremost manufacturer of Butyl Gloves in the world and made in the USA.

You can view our Butyl Glove Lines at the link below.

Butyl Gloves

Butyl Gloves: Properties, Uses, and Safety Considerations

A Comprehensive Guide to Butyl Rubber Gloves

Introduction

Butyl gloves are specialized protective handwear made from butyl rubber, a synthetic elastomer renowned for its outstanding chemical resistance, flexibility, and impermeability. Widely used in laboratories, industrial settings, and hazardous environments, butyl gloves offer a high degree of protection against a broad spectrum of chemicals, making them a crucial component of personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers exposed to toxic substances. This guide provides an in-depth exploration of butyl gloves, covering their properties, applications, advantages, limitations, care, and selection criteria.

What is Butyl Rubber?

Butyl rubber, also known as isobutylene-isoprene rubber (IIR), is a synthetic rubber made by polymerizing isobutylene with a small amount of isoprene. Developed in the early 1940s, butyl rubber is prized for its exceptional resistance to gas and moisture permeation. Its unique molecular structure makes it almost impervious to water vapor and many gases, which is why it is frequently used in the production of gas masks, inner tubes, seals, and chemical protective gloves.

Key Properties of Butyl Gloves

  • Exceptional Chemical Resistance: Butyl gloves offer superior protection against a wide array of hazardous chemicals, particularly organic solvents (such as ketones, esters, and alcohols), acids, and bases.
  • Low Permeability: Butyl rubber is highly impermeable to gases and liquids, significantly reducing the risk of dermal exposure to harmful substances. This property makes butyl gloves ideal for work involving volatile chemicals or gases.
  • Flexibility and Comfort: Despite their robustness, butyl gloves are flexible and provide a good level of tactile sensitivity and dexterity, which is essential for handling delicate tasks in laboratory and technical environments.
  • Resistance to Aging and Ozone: Butyl rubber resists degradation from exposure to ozone, UV light, and oxidative aging, ensuring a longer service life compared to many other glove materials.
  • Temperature Tolerance: These gloves remain flexible at low temperatures and maintain their protective properties across a wide thermal range, making them suitable for various conditions.

Common Applications of Butyl Gloves

Butyl gloves are utilized in a variety of industries and settings where chemical hazards are present. Their primary applications include:

  • Chemical Laboratories: Protection against solvent spills, splashes, and accidental exposure to hazardous reagents.
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Used during production and handling of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and chemicals that pose dermal risks.
  • Military and Emergency Response: Essential in handling chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and in hazardous material (HAZMAT) response teams.
  • Industrial Cleaning and Maintenance: Protect workers from aggressive cleaning agents, solvents, and acidic or alkaline substances.
  • Aerospace and Automotive Industries: Used during the manufacturing and maintenance of equipment involving hydraulic fluids, fuels, and other chemicals.
  • Medical and Research Facilities: Vital for handling dangerous pathogens or chemicals in controlled environments.

Advantages of Butyl Gloves

  • Comprehensive Chemical Barrier: Butyl gloves provide one of the most effective barriers against a broad range of chemicals, including substances that degrade or permeate other glove materials (such as nitrile, latex, or vinyl).
  • Durability: Resistant to punctures, tears, and abrasion, especially when compared to disposable gloves.
  • Long Shelf Life: Butyl gloves maintain their integrity in storage, especially in cool, dry, and dark conditions.
  • Reusable: Many butyl gloves are designed for reuse, provided they are properly cleaned and inspected after each use.

Limitations and Considerations

While butyl gloves offer excellent protection, there are certain limitations and considerations to be aware of:

  • Mechanical Resistance: Although resistant to punctures, butyl gloves are generally less robust against cuts or abrasions than some other materials, such as neoprene or leather.
  • Cost: Butyl gloves are more expensive than many disposable gloves, reflecting their specialized chemical resistance and durability.
  • Sensitivity to Certain Chemicals: Not recommended for use with hydrocarbons (such as gasoline and mineral oils), as these can degrade butyl rubber.
  • Limited Sizing and Styles: Butyl gloves may not be available in as many sizes, thicknesses, or configurations as more common glove types.
  • Reduced Breathability: Like most chemical-resistant gloves, butyl gloves can retain heat and moisture, potentially causing discomfort during prolonged use.

Selection Criteria: Choosing the Right Butyl Glove

Selecting the appropriate butyl glove involves assessing the specific hazards of your application and considering several factors:

  • Chemical Compatibility: Consult glove manufacturer charts to ensure the chemical resistance of butyl gloves for your intended substances.
  • Glove Thickness: Thicker gloves provide greater protection but may reduce dexterity. Balance protection needs with required tactile sensitivity.
  • Length and Cuff Style: Longer gloves offer extended protection up the arm, which is important when splashes or immersion are possible.
  • Fit and Comfort: Ensure the glove size is appropriate for the wearer to minimize fatigue and maximize dexterity.
  • Reusable vs. Disposable: Determine whether gloves will be discarded after use or if a reusable model is more suitable for your workflow.

Proper Use and Maintenance of Butyl Gloves

To maximize the safety and lifespan of butyl gloves, it is essential to use and maintain them correctly:

  • Inspection: Always inspect gloves for cracks, holes, or signs of degradation before use. Even small defects can compromise protection.
  • Donning and Doffing: Follow proper procedures when putting on and removing gloves to prevent contamination of skin or inner surfaces.
  • Cleaning: For reusable gloves, clean thoroughly with appropriate solutions and allow to dry fully before storage.
  • Storage: Store gloves in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and chemicals that may degrade the material.
  • Replacement: Discard gloves that show any signs of damage or have been exposed to chemicals beyond their resistance capacity.

Comparisons with Other Glove Materials

Butyl gloves are often compared with other types of chemical-resistant gloves. Here’s how they stack up against common alternatives:

  • Nitrile: Nitrile gloves offer good protection against a wide range of chemicals and are more resistant to punctures, but are generally less effective against ketones and highly aggressive solvents compared to butyl.
  • Latex: While latex provides excellent elasticity and is suitable for biological hazards, it is less resistant to many chemicals, especially organic solvents, than butyl.
  • Neoprene: Neoprene gloves offer robust mechanical protection and are effective against acids, caustics, and some solvents, but do not match butyl’s performance against ketones or esters.
  • Vinyl: Vinyl gloves are affordable and suitable for low-risk tasks, but offer limited chemical resistance and durability.

Regulations and Standards

Butyl gloves must meet specific safety standards and regulations to ensure their protective efficacy:

  • EN 374 (Europe): Specifies requirements for protection against chemicals and microorganisms.
  • ASTM F739 (USA): Standard test method for resistance of protective clothing materials to permeation by liquids and gases.
  • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): Recommends appropriate hand protection based on workplace hazards.

Conclusion

Butyl gloves represent a critical defense against chemical hazards, offering unmatched protection in environments where exposure to aggressive substances is a daily risk. Their unique properties—exceptional chemical resistance, flexibility, and durability—make them indispensable in laboratories, manufacturing, emergency response, and more. While they do have some limitations, proper selection, use, and care can ensure maximal safety and longevity.

In summary, when chemical protection is paramount, butyl gloves provide peace of mind and reliable performance, safeguarding workers and supporting safe, efficient operations in challenging environments.

At our Butyl Glove link below, we have included a Butyl Glove Test Chart which can be printed out and posted in your work area as a great reference chart for your employees.

Butyl Gloves

New Disposable Glove will change the way you think about disposable gloves

Posted on by The Glove Guru

It is difficult for me to get excited about a humble disposable glove, but I need to share a new model that inspired me to make a post about this glove model. It is so versatile and unique in many ways that it makes them superior to any disposable glove that we currently carry or one that I have tested in years at GO GLOVES®.

The manufacturer, PIP, brands it as: Ambi-Dex Grippaz® Engage Superior Ambidextrous Nitrile Glove with Textured Fish Scale Grip – 7 mil

PIP Product Code: 67-307

We refer to is as product code: D-307

Sizing: Small to XXXL

They did a great job on the product name, but I need to characterize and define the many features and benefits with this Ambi-Dex Grippaz® model. I truly don’t want to bore you but I need to address the various features and benefits individually since they deserve to be addressed individually.

  • It has a patented, what they refer to as a “fish scale” design on the inside and outside of the glove which provides extra traction with oily or wet parts. This unique feature is much better than your typical “textured” disposable glove and this feature is not only on both sides of the glove but also on the inside which adds to the grip.
  • They refer to the texture as “fish scale” but I believe a better term would be “Traction Grip Non-Slip Design”.
  • It has a “rotated” thumb grip for secure precision grip of small parts. What they actually mean by this claim is, in fact, another unique attribute. The textured “fish-scale” feature is on the inside (lateral) of the thumb which mean it is located where it counts. I was initially puzzled when I read the claim since these are manufactured on a porcelain mold. I’m well aware of how these gloves are made since I manufactured disposable gloves back in 1989. PIP’s engineers deserve some kudos on this simple but unique manufacturing feature.
  • 100% nitrile provides resistance to many chemicals used in industrial applications. This claim is particularly important for most of you who do not know about the various polymers or rubber used in disposable gloves. First and foremost is that these are latex-free which are prone to allergic reactions and all latex models immediately deteriorate in the presence of any oil or petroleum substance. Today, Nitrile is the premier material of choice in most disposable, waterproof, and chemical resistant gloves.
  • Made with a specially formulated organic compound that gives excellent performance with all food types including “fatty” foods. This is a particularly important element for gloves used in food preparation and processing.
  • Amplified dexterity for enhanced comfort, mobility, and less hand fatigue.
  • Increased puncture resistance outlasts conventional disposables which helps reduce glove waste and glove costs.
  • 7 Mil thickness – This thickness equates to a higher strength glove which is less likely to rip when putting them on. Typical high-use disposable gloves are normally around 4 to 5 Mil but again these are a higher-quality glove. I should point out that most people do not feel the difference in gloves ranging between 4 to 7 Mil but a little bit more means a lot more in this case.
  • Better fit than traditional household gloves. This seems like a trivial fact but you will notice this feature the moment you put on a pair.
  • Form-fitting beaded cuff can be worn over a glove liner.
  • Touch Screen Friendly. A funny note on this is that I often see people automatically remove their disposable gloves when answering or texting on their cell phones and many people do not realize that most disposable gloves are also touch screen friendly. I bet most of you never realized this. <smile>
  • Powder-Free to reduce allergic reactions. On this issue as I have mentioned in previous posts, the trend today is moving to powder-free gloves in general and even the FDA has banned the use of powdered gloves in 2016 for use in the healthcare industry. Plus, powdered gloves are more expensive.
  • Complies with FDA food handling requirements 21 CFR 177.2600.
  • AQL Testing: 1.5 < This test standard is the “Acceptable Quality Limit” based on the testing of large production runs which tests for any and all glove defects. An AQL test of 1.5 is equal to that with medical exam gloves, so these gloves have a great threshold which means you are buying a very high-quality glove.
  • These gloves are ideal for both men and women and the come in sizes from Small to XXXL for men with exceptionally large hands. On sizing, I brought home a pair for my wife to test since she wears gloves daily when washing the dishes and doing household chores. Being particular about the gloves she wears, she has since ditched the gloves she has used for years and has switched to these due to the fit, the dexterity, the thinness, and the nice grip feature without having to use a thicker and bulkier textured waterproof glove.
  • The new Orange Color is another plus since it provides for enhanced eye-to-hand visual sharpness and acuity.

In conclusion, I am happy to introduce you to these unique disposable gloves and please feel free to email me if any of you have any questions about these or any other glove issues. I also hope some of you found this post helpful and useful.

Link: D-307 Ambi-Dex Grippaz Nitrile Glove

Link: Disposable Gloves

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Joe McGarry

The Glove Guru

GO GLOVES®

Why you should wear rubber gloves at home

Posted on by The Glove Guru


https://www.gloves-online.com/

Dish washing is a pretty mundane chore, but many choose to do it with bare hands. However there are a numerous reasons why it’s not a good idea. Here are a few reasons why you should slip on a pair of rubber gloves before you pick up a scrubbing brush. 

First, I’m not necessarily talking about medical type disposable gloves although they will work. I’m talking about a more robust pair of rubber gloves since they will last a very long time and be more comfortable and easier to slip on and remove. Plus, they are more durable and can be used for other house chores. At the end of this brief, I will list the gloves my better-half simply loves to use.  

1. You’ll use hotter water
Rubber gloves give you some protection from heat so you can run the water nice and hot. The warmer the water, the easier it is to clean. 

2. Your hands won’t dry out
Immersing your hands in warm water daily has an impact on your skin. Gloves protect your hands.

5. Protection from sharps
While they don’t give you 100 per cent protection, gloves offer some coverage when you’re dealing with broken plates, glass, and sharp utensils.

6. You’ll have better grip
Gloves help you keep a steady hold on your plates and cutlery.

Link: Check out the TowaActive Grip Gloves. This is the model we use at home. 

Link: Check out our other liquidproof gloves. 

Heat – Liquid and Steam Proof Glove

Posted on by The Glove Guru


I haven’t addressed Heat Resistant Gloves in a long time but a recent customer request reminded me that I needed to make this post for customers looking for these types of gloves. 
This particular model, MAPA’s Temp-Tec 517 – Insulated Neoprene Glove, is a very popular model for a variety of heat, liquid, steam, and chemical resistant uses. Users range from industrial customers to workers in the food and restaurant industry. 
Despite its bulk they are surprisingly dexterous and the heat resistance exceeds normal requirements. 
You can view our other heat resistant gloves at this link: