Guide
Choosing Chemical-Resistant Gloves from an SDS
To choose chemical-resistant gloves, start with Section 8 of the SDS for the recommended glove material, then check the glove maker's chemical resistance chart for your chemical, the required thickness, and the breakthrough time for the length of your task. No single glove material resists every chemical, and thin disposable gloves are usually for splash protection only.
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What Section 8 tells you, and what it does not
The personal protection part of Section 8 should name a glove material and, ideally, a minimum thickness and breakthrough time. Some sheets say only "wear chemical-resistant gloves", which is not enough. In that case, look at the manufacturer's chemical resistance guide or ask the supplier. The sheet describes the product as supplied; if your task involves heat, abrasion, immersion or hours of contact, the choice may differ.
Three terms to understand
- Breakthrough time: how long it takes for the chemical to be detected on the inside of the glove material under test conditions. It is the key number for choosing gloves for a task of a given duration.
- Permeation: the movement of a chemical through the glove material at the molecular level, even without visible damage. Standard tests such as ASTM F739 measure it.
- Degradation: physical changes in the glove, such as swelling, hardening, softening or cracking after contact. A glove that degrades quickly is a poor choice even if breakthrough time is long.
Test data are measured on new gloves under laboratory conditions, so real-world performance can be shorter after flexing, heat or contamination.
Common glove materials in general terms
| Material | General strengths | General limits |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrile | Good general-purpose resistance to many oils, greases and some solvents; common for lab and industrial work | Poor against some ketones, strong oxidizers and aromatic or chlorinated solvents |
| Neoprene | Good against many acids, bases and alcohols | Poor against many aromatic and halogenated solvents |
| Butyl rubber | Good against many ketones, esters and polar organics | Poor against many hydrocarbons and halogenated solvents |
| Natural rubber (latex) | Good against many water-based chemicals, flexible; but it can cause allergy | Poor against many oils and solvents |
| Fluoroelastomer (Viton-type) | Good against many aromatic and chlorinated solvents | Expensive; poor against some ketones and amines |
| Laminate (multi-layer film) | Broad resistance to many chemicals | Poor dexterity and fit; often worn under an outer glove |
These are broad generalizations. The only reliable answer for your chemical and glove is the manufacturer's data. Do not infer from a table like this one.
Selection checklist
- Identify the chemical and its concentration from your sheet; for a mixture, check each major component and use the most demanding.
- Read the glove recommendation in Section 8 and the skin notation on the exposure limit; see reading exposure limits.
- Look up the glove manufacturer's chemical resistance data for the specific model, not just the material.
- Compare breakthrough time with the length of your task, with a safety margin.
- Consider dexterity, grip, cuff length and the need for double gloving.
- Check for allergies, such as latex.
- Define a change-out rule: after splash contact, change gloves immediately; after a set time, change even if no splash occurred.
- Train workers to remove gloves without touching the outside, and to wash hands afterwards.
Disposable versus reusable gloves
Thin disposable gloves protect against incidental splash. If a splash hits, remove and replace the glove right away. They are not designed for immersion or extended contact. Thicker reusable gloves offer longer breakthrough times, but they must be inspected before use, cleaned and stored properly. Look for holes, swelling and stickiness, and discard any glove that is damaged.
Gloves are one part of the picture
PPE is the last line of defense after elimination, substitution, engineering and administrative controls. Gloves work together with eye protection, clothing and washing facilities, covered in Section 8 and in HazCom training. For a spill, the PPE needed may be heavier than for routine work; see Section 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which glove material is best for chemicals?
There is no best material for all chemicals. Nitrile, neoprene, butyl, fluoroelastomer and laminate gloves each resist different chemicals. Use the SDS Section 8 recommendation and the glove manufacturer's resistance data.
What is breakthrough time?
The time it takes a chemical to pass through the glove material and be detected on the inside under standard test conditions. Choose gloves whose breakthrough time exceeds the length of the task, with a safety margin.
Can I reuse disposable nitrile gloves?
Not after chemical contact. Replace them immediately after splash contact and do not wash and reuse thin disposable gloves.
Do I need to double glove?
It can help, for example with a laminate inner glove and a rugged outer glove, or to allow safe removal of the outer layer when contaminated. Follow the SDS and your risk assessment.