How to pick a single use nitrile glove for oil and light chemical work, using the fish scale textured GRANBERG 970 as the example.
Disposable nitrile gloves are everywhere in workshops, labs and processing plants, but they are not interchangeable. A glove that is fine for handling dry parts can slip on an oily component, and a glove sold as "chemical resistant" may only have been tested against a handful of substances. This guide explains what to check before you choose a single use nitrile glove for oily or chemical work, then uses the GRANBERG 970 as the example.
Nitrile is a synthetic rubber that resists oils, greases and many fuels much better than natural latex. It contains no natural rubber latex proteins, which matters for people with latex sensitivity. It also tears in a visible way when punctured, so a damaged glove is easy to spot and change.
Thicker film generally means more resistance to tearing and a longer breakthrough time, but less fingertip feel. Many manufacturers quote glove weight in grams rather than thickness, because weight is easy to measure consistently. As a rough guide, lighter gloves suit short, precise tasks and heavier gloves suit longer handling and dirtier work. Whatever the figure, change the glove as soon as it is torn or heavily contaminated.
A smooth disposable glove loses grip quickly once oil is on the surface. Textured gloves break up the oil film so the fingers can still hold a part. Textures range from light fingertip roughening to patterns over the whole hand. For engine work, hydraulic fittings and greasy tools, a pattern on both the palm and the back is useful because ambidextrous gloves can be worn either way.
EN ISO 374-1 tests how long a chemical takes to pass through the glove material. That time is the breakthrough time, graded from level 1 (at least 10 minutes) to level 6 (at least 480 minutes). The glove is tested against a list of reference chemicals, each with a code letter.
Type A means at least 30 minutes against at least six listed chemicals. Type B means at least 30 minutes against at least three. Type C means at least 10 minutes against at least one. The letters printed under the marking tell you which chemicals passed. Always match those letters to the substances on your safety data sheets. A thin disposable glove is designed for splash and incidental contact, not immersion.
EN ISO 374-5 covers micro organisms. A glove that passes is a barrier to bacteria and fungi. When the marking includes the word VIRUS, the glove has also passed an additional viral penetration test. This matters for forensic work, cleaning of contaminated equipment and any task with biological contamination.
A disposable glove should fit snugly with no loose film at the fingertips. Loose film snags and tears and makes small parts harder to pick up. Too tight and the glove splits when it is pulled on. Check hand circumference against the glove sizing guide and stock a range of sizes so every worker can find a close fit.
The GRANBERG 970 is a black, powder free, single use nitrile glove with a patented fish scale print on both sides. Its record lists grip in dry, wet and oily conditions. It is ambidextrous, has a tear resistant beaded cuff that helps stop drips running into the glove, and weighs 7.4 g per glove.
It is certified to EN ISO 374-1 Type B (JKPT). The letters show it reached at least 30 minutes against n-heptane (J), 40% sodium hydroxide (K), 30% hydrogen peroxide (P) and 37% formaldehyde (T). It is also certified to EN ISO 374-5 (VIRUS) and approved for food contact under EN 1186. Typical uses in its record include automotive workshops, light assembly, chemical handling and forensic work. For longer tasks it can be worn over an inner glove. See the full single use glove range for alternatives.
Type B means the glove reached a breakthrough time of at least 30 minutes against at least three of the listed test chemicals. The code letters show which chemicals.
The code JKPT covers n-heptane, 40% sodium hydroxide, 30% hydrogen peroxide and 37% formaldehyde. Check any other substance against its safety data sheet.
It means the glove passed an additional viral penetration test on top of the bacteria and fungi requirements of EN ISO 374-5.
No. Thin disposable gloves are designed for splash and incidental contact. Immersion and long contact need a thicker reusable chemical glove.
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