Question

Is texture the only thing that affects disposable glove grip?

Answer
By Ronda Johnson | Published: September 18, 2018
Presented by Ansell

Whether you’re selecting reusable or disposable safety gloves, grip is one of the key concerns. After all, gloves aren’t much use if you can’t safely hold anything while wearing them (learn more about hand safety in Beyond Gloves: 7 Things to Do to Keep Your Hands Safe at Work).

Here's something that might surprise you: texture really doesn’t affect disposable glove grip that much. Gloves that are extremely textured can have next to no grip, while smooth gloves can offer the user high grip.

But if texture doesn't have a huge effect on grip, what does?

Surface Treatment

Surface treatment is perhaps the most important factor to look at.

There are two types of treatment that can improve glove grip:

  • Surface chlorination changes the properties of the surface and creates a lower-tack shell around the glove (helpful, for instance, with ultra-sticky latex).
  • Coating adds an entirely new layer to the glove. Manufacturers can control the level of grip a glove offers by adjusting the level of chlorination and the characteristics of the coating.

Glove Material

Material is another crucial factor to consider when it comes to grip. Natural latex rubber and polyisoprene tend to offer the best grips, while vinyl only provides a moderate grip.

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Glove Matrerial

Grip

Natural latex rubber

Very High

Polyisoprene

Very High

Neoprene

High

Nitrile

High

Vinyl

Moderate

Fit

Fit can play a role in the level of grip a glove provides (find out How to Keep Hands Safe from Cuts and Impact). No matter the level of surface grip a glove has, if it’s much too large for the wearer, it could easily slip down or off the hand altogether, posing a safety hazard. To offer good grip, a glove must fit properly and stay in place while the worker is wearing it.

Conclusion

As you can see, while texture might enhance the grip of a glove, it is far from the only factor you need to look at when assessing which disposable glove is right for you.

Presented By

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Written by Ronda Johnson | Product Portfolio Manager, North America

Ronda Johnson

Ronda Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Montclair State University and an MBA from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey with specializations in business strategy and supply chain management. Ronda has held several positions in research and manufacturing laboratories, including leadership positions for support roles of laboratory functions. Upon completion of her MBA, Ronda decided to merge her life science and business background into a career in sales.

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