Manufacturers can supply specific information on the choice of glove. Glove selection should be based on the following criteria. Degradation Degradation due to contact with chemicals causes the glove material to soften, swell, shrink, stretch, dissolve, or to become hard and brittle. Permeation Permeation is the result of molecular diffusion of a chemical through a glove material. There may be permeation with out obvious signs of degradation.
Permeation is quantified by breakthrough time and permeation rate.
Breakthrough Time Breakthrough Time is the time it takes for a particular chemical to pass through a protective material. The speed at which the chemical moves through the protective material once it has broken through. If chemicals are being used at temperatures higher than this glove performance may be significantly affected. Any chemical will permeate a protective material given enough time. The breakthrough time for a thicker material will be longer than that of a thinner material, providing superior chemical resistance.