Ansell Microflex 93-256 Mega Texture Orange Nitrile Gloves Review (2025): Heavy-Duty Grip for Automotive and Industrial Work
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★★★★½ 4.6/5
Reviewed by Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial — 2025
| Thickness | 9.5 mil |
|---|---|
| Color | Orange |
| Count | 50 gloves/box |
| Material | Nitrile |
| Powder | Powder-free |
| Latex | Latex-free |
| Standard | EN 388, EN 374 |
At 9.5 mil with Ansell's MEGA Texture across the entire palm and fingers, the Microflex 93-256 is engineered specifically for mechanics, machinists, and heavy industrial workers who grip wet, oily, or greasy parts for extended periods—where a lighter glove would tear or slip.
Why This Glove Stands Out
The MEGA Texture is the defining feature: an aggressive raised-diamond pattern across the full glove surface, not just the fingertips. This means grip on oil-slicked bolts, transmission housings, and wet machined parts stays secure even as the glove surface becomes contaminated—a real-world performance gap versus standard textured-fingertip industrial gloves.
Performance and Fit
At 9.5 mil, this is one of the thickest disposable nitrile gloves on the market. That gauge translates to exceptional puncture and abrasion resistance under EN 388 testing—critical when hands move around sheet metal edges, threaded fittings, and rough castings. The tradeoff is reduced tactile sensitivity compared to 5–6 mil exam gloves, but mechanics consistently report that the grip advantage on oily surfaces more than compensates.
The orange color serves dual purposes: high visibility on the shop floor and clear differentiation from thinner blue or black gloves in the glove dispenser. Workers reaching for a glove in a busy shop immediately grab the right gauge for the job. Ansell's manufacturing consistency at this specification is well-documented—batch variation in thickness and AQL defect rates is tightly controlled.
Durability and Chemical Protection
At 9.5 mil, chemical resistance covers a broad range of automotive fluids: motor oils, brake fluid, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, and light solvents. EN 374 classification validates resistance to multiple chemical challenge agents. For concentrated organic solvents or aggressive acids, consult Ansell's chemical resistance charts—even at this gauge, immersion time matters.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- MEGA Texture across full glove surface maintains grip on wet, oily, and greasy parts
- 9.5 mil delivers outstanding puncture and abrasion resistance under EN 388
- Orange color provides high-visibility identification and prevents mix-ups with lighter gloves
- EN 374 chemical resistance validates protection against a broad range of automotive fluids
Cons
- 9.5 mil significantly reduces tactile sensitivity—not suitable for fine-detail or precision work
- 50-per-box count means higher per-pair cost than standard 100-count industrial gloves
Who Should Buy This Glove
Order this glove for mechanics, machinists, production floor workers, or anyone doing sustained oily-parts handling where grip and puncture resistance are the primary requirements. The 50-per-box count at this gauge reflects the extended wear life—each glove lasts longer than standard weight.
Who Should Skip It
Skip if your task requires fine dexterity or tactile sensitivity—9.5 mil is noticeably thick. For general industrial use without heavy grease, a 6–8 mil glove delivers most of the protection at lower cost per box.
How It Compares
The Ansell TouchNTuff 93-800 is the chemical-focused alternative at 8.3 mil with EN 374 chemical permeation rating and an extended 12-inch cuff—better for chemical splash, not oily grip. The GLOVEWORKS HD Black and HD Green offer 8 mil at a lower per-pair cost but lack the MEGA Texture and EN 388 abrasion rating.
Related Nitrile Gloves
- Ansell TouchNTuff 93-800 Chemical-Resistant Nitrile
- Ansell Microflex SU-690 Violet Nitrile
- GLOVEWORKS HD Black Nitrile (8 mil)
- GLOVEWORKS HD Green Nitrile (8 mil)
- Venom Steel 8 Mil Orange Nitrile
- SAS Raven Patriot 7 Mil Black Nitrile
- SAS Astro Grip 7 Mil Full-Texture Nitrile
- Venom Steel 6 Mil Industrial Black Nitrile
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the 93-256 different from standard textured nitrile?
Standard textured nitrile has raised texture only at the fingertips. The Microflex 93-256's MEGA Texture covers the entire palm and fingers—maintaining grip even as the full glove surface becomes coated with oil or grease.
Is 9.5 mil too thick for most industrial tasks?
It is the right thickness for sustained oily-parts handling, heavy assembly, and sheet-metal work where puncture and abrasion resistance matter. For general maintenance or food service, 5–6 mil provides adequate protection with better dexterity.
What does EN 374 classification mean for this glove?
EN 374 tests resistance to chemical permeation and penetration. A glove rated to EN 374 has been validated against specific chemical challenge agents at defined breakthrough times. Check Ansell's chemical resistance guide for specific fluids.
Can I use the 93-256 for oil changes?
Yes. This is one of the best disposable nitrile options for oil changes—the MEGA Texture grips the drain plug, oil filter, and housing while protecting hands from motor oil and antifreeze.
Are these gloves EN 388 rated for abrasion?
Yes. EN 388 tests mechanical risks including abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture resistance. The 9.5 mil gauge produces strong scores in abrasion and puncture categories relevant to automotive and industrial environments.
How long does a single pair last at 9.5 mil?
Significantly longer than standard 5 mil gloves on the same task. Many mechanics report multiple uses for inspection and light assembly tasks before seeing degradation—though disposable gloves should be replaced whenever punctured or heavily contaminated.
What colors indicate this glove?
Bright orange. In most industrial color-coding systems, orange signals heavy-duty industrial use or caution—appropriate for high-visibility shop environments.
Are these powder-free?
Yes. Powder-free nitrile—no talc contamination on parts, sensors, or painted surfaces.
Can I use these for chemical splash protection?
Yes for incidental splash of automotive fluids and many industrial chemicals. For sustained chemical immersion or aggressive solvents, consult Ansell's chemical resistance guide and consider a fully chemical-rated glove.
How do these compare to the Ansell TouchNTuff 93-800?
The 93-800 is optimized for chemical permeation resistance with an extended 12-inch cuff—better for laboratory or hazmat chemical handling. The 93-256 is optimized for mechanical grip and abrasion resistance on oily surfaces—better for automotive and heavy assembly.
What is the shelf life?
Three to five years stored in a cool, dry environment away from UV and ozone sources.
Are there AQL requirements for this glove?
Yes. Ansell manufactures to defined AQL levels for examination and industrial gloves. Check the product specification sheet for the specific AQL rating.
Do these work for food handling?
The material is food-safe nitrile and the glove is powder-free. However, the MEGA Texture and orange color make this glove primarily designed for industrial use, not food service. For food handling, a standard blue or clear examination glove is more appropriate.
What size range is available?
XS through XL. Check the sizing guide—at 9.5 mil, some users prefer to size up one from their standard nitrile size for easier donning.
Where are these manufactured?
Ansell manufactures in multiple global facilities under ISO quality management systems. Check the product box for the specific country of origin.
The Bottom Line
The Microflex 93-256 earns its place on any automotive or heavy-industrial glove rack. It is purpose-built for the specific problem of maintaining grip on oily surfaces under real shop conditions—and it delivers at that task better than any standard-texture nitrile glove at comparable thickness.
About the Author
Steven Eaton is the founder of WC Safety and a hands-on industrial PPE specialist with over a decade of experience sourcing and evaluating disposable gloves, respirators, and hearing protection for industrial, medical, and food-service environments.
Testing Methodology
Reviews are based on manufacturer specification sheets, ASTM/EN certification documentation, published comparative testing, and direct product handling. Ratings reflect build quality, specification value, and suitability for the intended application.
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Editorial Standards
All product claims are drawn directly from published technical data sheets, ASTM/EN certification records, or manufacturer documentation. WC Safety does not fabricate specifications, certifications, or comparative claims. Errors may be reported to safetynw2012@gmail.com.