Latex gloves offer the perfect combination of strength, elasticity, slip resistance and comfort. Because of their significant thickness and durability, latex exam gloves perform well in high-risk, heavy-duty situations. They are supple and fit comfortably like a second skin. However, latex exam gloves are made from natural latex rubber, a protein-based compound known to cause allergic reactions and irritations in some people.
Nitrile gloves are made of synthetic latex. They contain no latex proteins and offer excellent resistance to punctures and tears. Nitrile gloves are three times more puncture resistant than rubber and can be used to offer superior resistance to many types of chemicals.
Vinyl gloves offer a practical barrier of protection for a wide range of applications. Vinyl is a plastic resin made from chlorine and ethylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC). These gloves are highly resistant to acids, fats and alcohols and have superior anti-static properties. Unlike other latex gloves, nitrile gloves have low resistance to friction and are very easy to slide on. Nitrile gloves are more popular than latex or vinyl gloves due to their higher degree of flexibility and superior solvent resistance. However, these gloves should not be worn for high-risk situations. While they are soft to the touch and very comfortable to wear, they can tear after extended rigorous use.
