ASTM F739: Chemical Permeation Testing Standard
The ASTM F739 standard is the benchmark for evaluating chemical resistance of glove materials. Under this test, a glove material sample is placed between a challenge chemical and a collection medium. The time until the chemical permeates through the material is recorded as the breakthrough time. ASTM F739 results classify gloves into performance levels from 0 (breakthrough under 10 minutes) to 6 (breakthrough over 480 minutes). For routine laboratory work, a Level 3 rating (breakthrough time over 60 minutes) is recommended. Many nitrile chemical chart references include these ASTM F739 ratings. The ASTM F739 standard page provides detailed methodology for chemical permeation testing procedures.
Chemicals Nitrile Protects Against
Nitrile provides robust protection against several chemical families, though performance varies. Oils and petroleum products: Nitrile excels here — mineral oils, vegetable oils, grease, diesel, gasoline, and hydraulic fluids all have breakthrough times exceeding 480 minutes (ASTM Level 6) with 6-8 mil gloves, thanks to acrylonitrile's oil-resistant properties. Acids: Good resistance to dilute acids such as sulfuric acid (up to 30%), hydrochloric acid (up to 10%), and phosphoric acid. Concentrated acids degrade nitrile more rapidly. Alcohols: Performs well against methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol, with breakthrough times of 30-120 minutes for 5-6 mil gloves. Solvents: Nitrile resists aliphatic hydrocarbons (hexane, heptane) and glycols well. It shows moderate resistance to ketones and esters but may swell with prolonged exposure. Aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, xylene) and chlorinated solvents rapidly degrade nitrile. The CliniEco Nitrile Examination Gloves provide documented chemical resistance data for common laboratory and industrial chemicals.
Breakthrough Times and Safety
Breakthrough time is the most critical metric in chemical glove selection — it measures elapsed time between initial chemical contact and detection on the inner glove surface. A glove rated at 240 minutes for a specific chemical provides eight times more protection than one rated at 30 minutes. Breakthrough time depends on multiple variables: glove thickness, chemical concentration, temperature, and the specific nitrile formulation. A 10°C rise in temperature can cut breakthrough time in half for some chemical and glove combinations. Always consult the manufacturer's chemical resistance chart for your specific glove product rather than relying on generic data.
Thickness and Chemical Resistance
Glove thickness directly correlates with chemical resistance. Thicker gloves provide longer breakthrough times. Thickness is measured in mils (1 mil = 0.001 inch). 3-4 mil (light duty): Suitable for incidental splash and tasks under 10 minutes. 5-6 mil (medium duty): Standard for routine chemical handling with 30-120 minute breakthrough times for common chemicals. The nitrile gloves from CliniEco in this range offer a balanced mix of dexterity and protection. 7-8+ mil (heavy duty): Extended contact and aggressive chemicals, with breakthrough times often exceeding 240 minutes, though thicker gloves reduce tactile sensitivity. Doubling thickness typically increases breakthrough time by 3-5 times depending on the chemical.
Limitations of Nitrile Gloves
Despite broad chemical resistance, nitrile has notable gaps. Acetone and ketones cause nitrile to swell and soften rapidly. Aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, and xylene permeate nitrile in under 5 minutes even with thick gloves. Chlorinated solvents such as methylene chloride and perchloroethylene aggressively attack the material. Strong oxidizing agents including concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide above 30% degrade the polymer. For these chemicals, alternatives like butyl rubber, neoprene, or Viton gloves are needed. Temperature also matters — nitrile becomes brittle below -20°C and degrades above 120°C. Always review the full chemical resistance chart for your specific glove product before selecting it for chemical protection tasks.
Related Articles
- What Are Nitrile Gloves?
- Nitrile Gloves Buying Guide
- Nitrile Glove Thickness Guide
- Nitrile vs Latex vs Vinyl
- Can Nitrile Gloves Be Recycled? Eco-Friendly Disposal and Environmental Impact
- nitrile & examination gloves
- open a wholesale account for institutional pricing
Planning monthly volumes? gloves and PPE supply planner — it estimates monthly volumes and cost, and prints a checklist you can tick off with your team.
Related Reading
Explore more guides in this category:
- AQL Explained: Medical Glove Quality Standards for Buyers
- EN 455 vs ASTM D6319: Exam Glove Standards Compared
- Nitrile Gloves for Canadian Food Processing: Safety Standards and Regulatory Requirements
Have a question about your own facility? Send it in and you will get a written answer specific to your setup, with the regulation or standard it is based on cited. Ask your compliance question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do nitrile gloves resist every chemical?
No, and no single glove material does. Nitrile performs well against many oils, greases and a range of solvents, but some chemicals — acetone and certain ketones among them — degrade nitrile quickly. Resistance is always specific to the chemical, the glove formulation and the contact time.
What is a breakthrough time on a chemical resistance chart?
It is the measured time for a chemical to pass through the glove material at a defined rate under standardised test conditions. Treat it as the maximum working window for that chemical, not as a duration you can safely extend, and replace the glove immediately after any splash or immersion.
Does a thicker glove give more chemical protection?
Thicker gloves generally delay breakthrough, but the gain depends on the chemical, and extra thickness costs dexterity. The reliable approach is to check the permeation data for the exact substance being handled rather than assuming thickness alone settles the question.
How can I tell if a glove has failed during use?
Some failures are invisible, because permeation happens at a molecular level. Degradation is often visible as swelling, softening, stiffening, colour change or a tacky surface, and any of those signs means the glove comes off immediately. For routine clinic work, CliniEco 4 mil nitrile examination gloves cover standard examination and clean-up tasks. Where chemical contact is part of the job, 6 mil heavy-duty black nitrile gloves add thickness, and the Aurelia Robust 5.0 mil gloves sit in between with a fully textured grip.
CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).
0 comments