What Dissolves Nitrile Gloves?

Nitrile gloves are used in many industries ranging from healthcare to food. With such a heavy reliance on these gloves, you must understand what dissolves nitrile gloves. Here are a few things that can dissolve nitrile gloves.

Acetone

Nitrile rubber is resistant to many acids, like sulfuric acid, but it’s not immune to acetone. Acetone is a powerful chemical that is used in several different beauty products. Acetone can eat through nitrile gloves reasonably quickly. However, Acetone will not immediately degrade nitriles but will wear them away rather quickly. The danger to you is not so much from the acetone but the melting gloves. It’s essential to be careful when using these types of gloves around acetone and other harsh chemicals.

Ketones, Strong Acids, Certain Alcohols

Certain chemicals can soak through nitrile gloves. For example, strong acids and even some alcohols can penetrate these gloves with time. The “breakthrough” time is the amount of time the chemical takes to get through the glove. Some chemicals have a longer breakthrough time than others. For example, ketones can get through gloves quicker than alcohol can.

The Quality of Nitrile Gloves Can Vary

Not all gloves are the same. Nitrile gloves and latex gloves are not the same. Nitrile is a type of rubber that is the main component of nitrile gloves. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 billion latex gloves are used yearly in the U.S. alone, compared to only 4 billion Nitrile gloves. Nitrile gloves are the premium option when it comes to gloves. They’re thicker and can withstand more exposure to chemicals than latex gloves.

What dissolves nitrile gloves? Acetone, ketones, strong acids, and certain alcohols can all dissolve nitrile gloves. The best way to ensure that your nitrile gloves can stand up to the task is to start with a high-quality pair. The best nitrile gloves are tough enough to stand up to many chemicals. Use safe practices when handling chemicals and ensure that you choose suitable gloves for the job. Call Glove America today if you need large quantities of durable nitrile gloves.