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Modulus
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Refers to the modulus of elasticity of the glove
material. “Modulus” is really what most people think
of as “elasticity”, or the “degree of stretch”.
The higher the modulus, the more force is required to
stretch the film. So “low modulus” gloves have a
softer, more elastic feel.
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Latex Allergy
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As the
information available on latex allergy would easily fill
several volumes, it is far too detailed to address here.
IHC has compiled a great amount of information on latex
allergy and suggestions for it’s management.
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Low Protein Claims
(<50µg)
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This refers to the total water-extractable
protein content of a Natural Rubber Latex glove. The FDA
has adopted the Lowry test method for measuring total
protein. The Lowry test cannot accurately measure protein
levels below 50 micrograms of protein per gram of glove.
As a result, < 50µg is the lowest protein content
label claim that FDA will allow and of course it must be
substantiated.
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Chlorination &
Micro-Chlorination
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Chlorine has been used to produce
powder-free gloves for decades. Chlorine “hardens”
latex film, allowing a glove to be donned without the use
of lubricants. Fortunately, tremendous technological
advances have been made in the use of chlorine in the
newer glove production lines. “Micro-Chlorination” is
the application of chlorine in extremely small, highly
controlled quantities, on-line, during production. This
greater control of the chlorination process allows far
less destructive chlorine to be used, ensuring
consistently low protein levels, excellent donning
properties, superior gripping ability and increased shelf
life.
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Polymer Coated/bonded
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A polymer interior, typically polyurethane, which
facilitates donning without the use of donning powder or
other lubricants.
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Bisque Finish
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A term
very few people understand. Best described as “lightly
roughened finish”. Not perfectly smooth, but not as
rough as a textured finish. A bisque finish is not visible
to many people. It is more easily felt than seen. This
finish enhances grip particularly when the product is wet
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Textured Finish
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A
visible texture that is easily felt. Usually covers the
entire finger and palm area, but sometimes covers only the
fingertips. A textured finish dramatically enhances the
gripping properties of the glove.
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Tacky Finish
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A tacky
finish can be present whether the glove is textured or
not. This is a result of processing and usually imparts
significant improvement to the gripping property of the
product.
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Synthetic, Non-Latex
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Broadly, any glove made from a material other than natural
rubber latex. There are many synthetic materials suitable
for glove manufacturing, but most of them are too
expensive to gain wide acceptance.
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Nitrile
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Acrylonitrile
butadiene (NBR), a synthetic rubber, and one of the few
synthetic materials both suitable to glove production and
inexpensive enough to gain some level of acceptance.
Nitrile rubber is resistant to a wider range of chemicals
and solvents than natural rubber.
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PVC (Vinyl)
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Polyvinyl
chloride is not a synthetic rubber. It is a plastic which
can be processed to provide enough softness to be used as
a natural rubber latex alternative. PVC gloves do not have
the same level of tensile strength or elasticity that
natural rubber and nitrile rubber have. PVC gloves
typically have a fairly loose fit, particularly at the
cuff.
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