To the content
HARPS Global. People, protecting people.
Surgical and examination gloves can be made of different material

What you need to know about glove materials

Natural latex, Nitrile, Polyisoprene or Vinyl?

Gloves can be made from a variety of materials. The most commonly used raw materials for the production of gloves are natural rubber latex (generally referred to as latex), nitrile butadiene rubber (or simply, nitrile) and polyvinylchloride (commonly called vinyl or PVC gloves). We also use synthetic polyisoprene to manufacture certain products. However, not every material is suitable for every use. Every glove material has different chemical properties and thus is only suitable for its intended use.  

Let us briefly go through the advantages and disadvantages of the four glove materials Sempermed uses, so you can choose the right glove.  

Natural Rubber is a frequently used material for surgical gloves, examination gloves and personal protective gloves.

Latex - the 'classic' glove material 

Latex gloves are made of natural rubber latex, which is harvested from rubber trees, also known as Hevea brasiliensis. Latex offers a good resistance against many acids and alkalis. However, they are permeable to many solvents. Due to excellent elongation and a low modulus, latex gloves are very comfortable to wear. They offer the best fit and feel.  
A disadvantage of natural latex is that its proteins can cause or trigger latex allergies.  
Surgical and examination gloves are often latex gloves. They are used for example in primary care, hospitals, etc. Learn more about our latex glove portfolio here. 

VIEW GLOVES

 

Nitrile gloves

The 'allrounder' glove material  

Nitrile gloves are made of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), which is a synthetic material. It is a suitable alternative for people with a known latex allergy - or those who seek to prevent an allergy. Another advantage is the enhanced resistance to many chemicals, particularly to organic substances. 

Nitrile gloves are versatile and can be used in many different applications, ranging from medical use to food contact and industrial use.  

VIEW GLOVES

Polyisoprene gloves

Latex properties without latex allergies 

A synthetic alternative to latex is synthetic polyisoprene. It has the same physical properties as natural rubber latex: maximum elasticity and tear resistance. However, this material is synthetically made. Thus, it does not contain rubber proteins and is therefore free from latex allergens.  

Polyisoprene is most commonly used in surgical gloves, usually to enable glove users to continue working with gloves despite having a latex allergy. Additionally, an increasing number of healthcare institutes switch to polyisoprene as a precautionary measure to prevent new allergies. View our polyisoprene glove portfolio now. 

VIEW GLOVES

Vinyl Gloves

The skin-friendly alternative

Vinyl gloves are an economical alternative for applications where mechanical stress and barrier protection are less important. The skin-friendly material is suitable for users suffering from a latex or chemical allergy.

One drawback is that the use of plasticizers as a major component in the production of vinyl gloves disqualifies them from handling fats and fatty foodstuffs. This glove material is widely used in areas such as nursing or geriatric care, professional cleaning & hygiene. 

VIEW GLOVES

Sempermed Glove Tips

Our glove tips for the right application

  • Use the type of glove and material suited to the task.
  • Check gloves for defects before use.
  • Treat gloves carefully, where possible.
  • Avoid mechanical stress of the glove (e.g. snagging or tearing).
  • If possible, use powder-free, low-allergen gloves.
  • Disinfect and dry hands properly before using gloves.
  • Always put gloves on with clean and dry hands immediately before contact with the patient.
  • Change damaged, soiled or wet gloves immediately.
  • Use disposable gloves only once.
  • Do not disinfect hands while wearing gloves.
  • Apply hand care consistently, but do not use care products before wearing gloves.
  • Wear two pairs of gloves if one or more of the below applies: 
    • When the risk of perforation is high.
    • During hour-long operations.
    • If there is a special risk of infection.
  • Intraoperative glove changes are necessary if one or more of the below applies: 
    • At the slightest suspicion of micro-perforations.
    • If the glove slips.

You want to know more?

Read our Glove Guide and learn more about what glove to choose for your application. 

We are happy to advise you on our solutions

To the main navigation
Back to Knowledge Area

Cookie-Settings

We use necessary cookies to make our website work and are installed automatically. They enable security, accessibility and network management. As we want to improve your experience with our website, we would like to set functional, analytical and social media cookies which measure how you use our site and enable more personalized content, and provide social media features. Therefore we share information about your use of our website with our partners. They may combine this information with other data that you have provided to them or that they have collected as part of your use of the services. Some of our partner services are located in the USA, which is regarded by the European Court of Justice as a country without an adequate level of data protection. There is a possibility and risk that your personal data will be processed by US authorities for control and surveillance, leaving you without effective remedies against it. With you clicking on "Accept all cookies", you agree that cookies on our website can be used by us as well as third party providers (also in the USA) and that data can be transferred (Art 49. GDPR) unless other suitable guarantees are exceptionally not available. Your consent is voluntary and can be revoked at any time. You can configure cookies under settings.

Detailed information can be found in our Privacy Statement – Cookies.

How do we use Cookies:

Cookies are pieces of information that a website transfers to your device when you access any website. Cookies allow our website to recognize your device and store information about your preferences or past actions. This information can be connected to you, your settings, your device or they take care, that a website you visit functions in line with your expectations. Information provided to us by cookies do not reveal your identity directly, but can enable you better user experience. You can say “no” to some cookies. Please review details on each cookies bellow and decide which you prefer in settings. Disabling cookies might influence use of our website or services on your device.

Which types of cookies we use?

Necessary cookies

We use necessary cookies to make our website work: for security, accessibility and network management. They are installed automatically. For this purpose we do not need your consent as these cookies do not process personal data. You have the possibility to change your cookie settings in your browser at any time, but the website might then not work properly.

Functional cookies

Functional cookies allow us to improve website performance and customization based on your choices that you make on the website. They are set by us or by our contractual partners who provide their services on our websites with our permission (e.g. website satisfaction survey service). If you do not accept these cookies, some or all of the website's features may not work.

Analytical cookies

We use Google analytics to helps us understand how you use our website. It helps us to make decisions about general improvements to the functionality and content of the website. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify you.

Social Media cookies

These cookies are set by a number of social network providers that we have added to our website. These cookies enable you to share content with your friends and networks. When you “surf the internet” these cookies track your browser and build a profile of your interests. In doing so, they influence the content and messages you see on the websites you visit. If you refuse the use of these cookies, content sharing tools may not be available to you.