Understanding glove material limitations
When selecting safety gloves, most people only focus on hazard ratings—seeing these strengths as the primary guide for choosing the right protection. While certain materials and ratings may indicate a strong performance against specific hazards like cut or attributes like comfort, they don’t account for material limitations that impact safety for specific tasks or environments.
In this article, we will explore these very limitations of common materials used in the manufacturing of safety gloves.
When selecting safety gloves, most people only focus on hazard ratings—seeing these strengths as the primary guide for choosing the right protection. While certain materials and ratings may indicate a strong performance against specific hazards like cut or attributes like comfort, they don’t account for material limitations that impact safety for specific tasks or environments.
In this article, we will explore these very limitations of common materials used in the manufacturing of safety gloves.
Glove material limitations
Protective qualities for safety gloves (and other PPE) largely depend on the materials used. Different materials provide varying levels of protection against hazards like cuts, chemicals, extreme temperatures, etc., but no glove is universally suited for all tasks.
Thermoplastic materials
Thermoplastic materials are versatile plastics known for their flexibility, strength, and lightweight properties. However, when exposed to high temperatures, they can melt and cause serious burn injuries.
HPPE (TenActiv™)
HPPE gloves are known for their lightweight yet strong fiber composition, which provides excellent cut resistance without sacrificing flexibility. But did you know that HPPE is thermoplastic? This means that when exposed to heat, the fibers can lose their strength and protective qualities, and at extreme temperatures even melt and graft to your skin, causing serious burns. This makes safety gloves made with HPPE unsuitable for high-heat environments and should be avoided.
Nylon & Polyester
Like HPPE, nylon and polyester are also thermoplastic materials. Nylon is exceptionally flexible, and polyester is known for its strength and durability. But, when exposed to heat, they can soften, melt, and graft to your skin in high-temperature environments, posing serious safety risks.
Alternatives solutions? For tasks involving heat exposure, opt for gloves made with heat-resistant materials like para-aramid (ParaActivTM). These gloves are specifically designed to withstand high temperatures while providing reliable mechanical protection like cuts and puncture.
Glove additives
Additives are often incorporated into safety gloves to enhance mechanical protection like cut, puncture, abrasion etc.
Wire core & fiberglass
Wire core and fiberglass are often used in safety gloves to enhance cut resistance and durability. The material is lightweight, strong, and effective at reinforcing gloves for tasks involving sharp or abrasive objects. However, prolonged use of these gloves, especially around high-friction tasks, can cause fibers to poke through the glove lining and lead to skin irritation known as “glass itch” or “wire itch.” This sensation is caused by fibers embedding in the skin that can result in minor inflammation after extended use. Similarly, damaged gloves can also expose the fiberglass or wire core as the outer layer wears down or tears, leading to discomfort.
Alternative solutions? Coreless gloves. Coreless safety gloves have no additives like steel or fiberglass, offering cut protection while being lightweight and comfortable but without the risk of glass itch or wire itch for extended wear. At Superior Glove, we’ve taken it a step further to manufacture high performance coreless gloves that offer high-cut resistance with steady grip and maximum abrasion resistance that are also touchscreen compatible, available in versions with and without impact protection.
Material degradation
While all materials degrade over time, there are some that exhibit rapid reduction in protective qualities when exposed to certain materials or environments.
Chemical degradation
Chemical degradation happens when materials break down at a structural level, compromising the protective qualities of safety gloves. This is the case with para-aramid (ParaActivTM) gloves when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light or bleach. While strong and durable with outstanding heat resistance, prolonged exposure to UV light can weaken their structure, causing them to lose their strength and flexibility. This results in a reduced ability to protect against cuts and punctures. Harsh chemicals like bleach can also significantly accelerate degradation for para-aramid (ParaActivTM) gloves, making the fibers brittle and more prone to damage, ultimately reducing their protective performance.
To maximize the lifespan and maintain the effectiveness of para-aramid (ParaActivTM) gloves, avoid using bleach altogether. Additionally, minimize UV exposure by storing them in a dark, covered space. Be sure not to leave them outdoors during off hours.
Note: For tasks involving hazardous substances, only use chemical-resistant gloves specifically designed to handle those chemicals. The best way to shop for chemical gloves for your team is by first identifying the chemical being handled and then matching it with the glove material that resists that chemical. For this, you can ask an expert or consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which details essential information about specific chemicals. The MSDS describes the properties and potential hazards of the material, how to use it safely, and what to do in an emergency.
Thermoplastic degradation
As mentioned earlier, safety gloves made with thermoplastic materials such as HPPE (TenActivTM), Nylon, and polyester can be unsafe to use for tasks involving heat exposure as they can melt and graft to your skin. Thermoplastic degradation can also occur when these materials are laundered / washed in high temperatures. The heat can cause fibers to melt, shrink, and lose their structural integrity—compromising the gloves’ protective capabilities.
To maximize the lifespan and maintain the effectiveness of thermoplastic materials only wash in cold or warm temperatures. Click here to see material-specific cleaning instructions that can be followed to improve glove longevity for different glove materials.
The bottom line
Understanding the limitations of glove materials is essential for ensuring optimal hand protection. While each material offers unique benefits, it’s important to recognize factors, such as those listed above, that can minimize the lifespan and performance of your PPE and compromise worker safety.
If you’re not sure which protection is right for the task or have questions regarding specific products, it is best to ask an expert. At Superior Glove, you can get expert advice for all your hand safety or product questions from a real person—not a chatbot— to ensure you get the right protection for your team.