Make Sure Your Gloves Have You Covered

Different coatings mean different grips. This mini Grip Guide will help you select the right type of coating for your application. 

Industrial gloves are typically made with a liner dipped in a coating to help enhance grip in a variety of applications. From coatings that provide oil resistance to dry grip, the choices are many. This coating guide will help you understand and select the right type of coated gloves for your workplace by clarifying the differences.

NITRILE

Nitrile is a flexible and versatile material that has many different finishes; this offers great grips in a variety of applications from oily surfaces to wet surfaces. Nitrile offers protection from punctures, abrasions, and chemicals. Additionally, due to the thermal properties of Nitrile, it can offer heat resistance; however, nitrile can become stiff and retain lower temperatures in colder settings.

Pros:

• Available in a variety of finishes
• Can offer heat resistance
• Abrasion resistance
• Chemical resistance

Cons:

• Not ideal in cold temperatures
• Certain finishes are not breathable
• Certain finishes are not liquid proof

MICROFOAM NITRILE

Microfoam nitrile is made from blowing tiny bubbles in nitrile while the glove is being dipped. This is a coating that has micro holes in it which offers great grip in dry, wet and oily environments. Microfoam is soft and flexible, as well as resistant to abrasions, cuts, tears, and punctures.

Pros:

• Great oil grip
• Liquid repellent
• Heat resistance
• Abrasion resistance
• Chemical resistance

Cons:

• Not ideal in cold temperatures
• Not a breathable coating

POLYURETHANE

Polyurethane (PU) is a breathable coating that offers high tactile sensitivity, great dexterity, and low particulate shed. Ideal for nonoily and wet applications as the material is permeable but excellent in applications that need tactile sensitivity such as handling small parts. It is not recommended for use with high temperatures, and it has limited chemical resistance.

Pros:

• High tactile sensitivity
• Great dexterity
• Low particulate shed
• Value coating

Cons:

• Not ideal for oily or wet applications
• Not recommended for high or low temperatures

POLYVINYL CHLORIDE

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is an open celled foam that provides outstanding wet and dry grip performance. Foamed PVC can be thicker, which helps provide more cushioned comfort, and it helps provide a high level of abrasion resistance. PVC is ideal in lower temperature work because it retains its flexibility, so functionality is not compromised.

Pros:

• High wet and dry grip
• Abrasion resistance
• Great for lower temperature work

Cons:

• Low level of puncture resistance

NATURAL RUBBER

Natural rubber latex offers a great dry and wet grip with abrasion resistance and high puncture resistance. This coating offers limited chemical resistance. While natural rubber can be a suitable lower-cost option at some workplaces, it may pose problems for workers with latex skin allergies.

Pros:

• High wet and dry grip performance
• Puncture resistance
• Abrasion resistance
• Lower cost

Cons:

• Can cause skin allergies for people who are allergic to latex
• Limited chemical resistance

Previously Featured on Honeywell's website.

Browse hand protection from Honeywell on MSCDirect.com.