Chemical Permeation can occur without visible degradation, recalling the definition as the process by which a chemical sorbs into the glove, diffuses then desorbs to the opposite side of the glove. This can make it possible for virus to pass through a chemically degraded glove. The infectious dose, titer and the infectivity of the virus determine the risk in question. When a glove s physical properties are compromised by chemical exposure, the tear resistance is adversely affected. Tearing usually follows a puncture of the glove.
Puncture occurs when a probe, needle or some other object is forced through the glove.
Puncture resistance depends on factors such as thickness, hardness of the polymer, and molecular structure. Some polymers are better than others. For example, nitrile and neoprene are more puncture resistant than PVC gloves of the same thickness. Compression also affects a glove s tear properties. Compression simply means squeezing the polymer.