SAS Safety 66518 Raven Nitrile Gloves Review — Large | WC Safety
SAS Safety 66518 Raven Black Nitrile Gloves Large Review — 7-Mil Powder-Free Disposable for Automotive, Mechanical, and Chemical Work
The SAS Safety 66518 Raven is a 7-mil black nitrile disposable glove in Large size. It is powder-free, textured at the fingertips for grip, and rated for light chemical and solvent resistance — the core requirements for automotive maintenance, mechanical repair, tattoo application, janitorial, and industrial assembly tasks. At 7 mil wall thickness, the Raven is classified as a heavy-duty disposable nitrile glove, providing significantly more puncture and tear resistance than standard 3–4 mil examination gloves. The black colorway masks grease, oil, and ink contamination, making it a preferred choice in automotive and tattoo studio environments. ANSI/ISEA 105 provides the testing framework for classifying disposable glove performance; the Raven's specifications align with its chemical permeation and mechanical protection benchmarks for light-duty industrial applications.
Editorial Verdict — 4.2 / 5
7-mil powder-free black nitrile disposable glove in Large. AQL 1.5 quality control. Textured fingertips for grip. Latex-free. 100 gloves/box. Strong puncture resistance for automotive, tattoo, and light chemical work. Not rated for heavy chemical immersion or cuts above ANSI A1.
What Makes the SAS Safety 66518 Raven Different from Standard Nitrile Gloves
Most examination-grade nitrile disposable gloves are 3–4 mil thick — sufficient for medical and light contamination barriers but not for mechanical work where puncture from sharp metal edges, wire, or fasteners is a genuine hazard. The Raven's 7-mil wall thickness is the primary differentiator: it provides approximately double the puncture resistance of standard exam gloves while remaining thin enough for tactile feedback during assembly, inspection, and repair tasks.
The powder-free formulation eliminates the latex powder contamination risk present in older powdered gloves — important for food-adjacent applications and any task where powder residue on components or parts is unacceptable. Textured fingertips increase grip on oily or wet surfaces, which standard smooth-palm nitrile cannot achieve. The black colorway provides visual masking of grease, ink, and dark fluids — extending perceived glove life in automotive and tattooing applications where a visibly contaminated glove causes premature disposal.
The AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) rating of 1.5 means the manufacturing process maintains a defect rate below 1.5% — a quality control standard that aligns with ASTM D6319 requirements for industrial-grade nitrile gloves. This is the same AQL level used in medical examination gloves, providing confidence in glove integrity across the 100-glove box.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model / SKU | 66518 |
| Size | Large |
| Material | Nitrile (synthetic rubber) |
| Thickness | 7 mil (finger area) |
| Color | Black |
| Powder | Powder-free |
| Texture | Textured fingertips |
| Cuff | Beaded cuff |
| Latex | Latex-free |
| Quantity per Box | 100 gloves (50 pairs) |
| AQL | 1.5 |
| Standards Reference | ASTM D6319; ANSI/ISEA 105 |
Chemical Resistance and Appropriate Applications
Nitrile provides good resistance to petroleum-based oils, greases, hydraulic fluid, and many light solvents. However, nitrile is not appropriate for all chemical exposures. The Raven 66518 is suitable for:
- Automotive maintenance: motor oil, gear oil, brake fluid (light contact), grease, transmission fluid
- Mechanical repair: machining oils, cutting fluids, light solvents for parts cleaning
- Tattoo application: ink, petroleum jelly, cleaning solutions
- Janitorial: general cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, light acid/alkali solutions at low concentration
- Food service (non-FDA): the Raven is not FDA-approved for direct food contact unless specifically designated; verify regulatory status before food application
The Raven is NOT appropriate for: concentrated acids or caustics, ketones (acetone, MEK), aromatic solvents (benzene, toluene), chlorinated solvents, or any application requiring chemical immersion rated protection. For those applications, consult the chemical-resistant gloves section at WC Safety for thicker or multi-layer alternatives.
ANSI/ISEA 105 and Hand Protection Standards
ANSI/ISEA 105 (American National Standard for Hand Protection) establishes performance classifications for cut, puncture, chemical permeation, and heat resistance. The SAS Raven 66518 is a disposable nitrile glove designed for light mechanical and chemical protection — it is not rated for cut hazards above ANSI A1 (the lowest cut resistance level) and should not be used as primary protection in cut-hazard environments such as glass handling, sheet metal work, or blade operations. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 requires employers to select hand protection based on the hazards present; for cut hazards, use ANSI A4–A9 cut-resistant gloves from the WC Safety cut-resistant glove catalog.
SAS Raven Size Guide — Finding the Right Fit
| Size | Hand Circumference | SAS SKU |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 7" or less | 66515 |
| Medium | 7–8" | 66516 |
| Large | 8–9" | 66518 |
| X-Large | 9" or more | 66519 |
Measure hand circumference at the widest point of the palm (excluding thumb). Nitrile has low stretch compared to latex; when in doubt, size up. A glove that is too tight fatigues the hand and increases tear-out risk at the fingertips; a glove that is too loose reduces grip and tactile sensitivity.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 7-mil wall thickness — double the puncture resistance of standard 3–4 mil exam gloves; reliable barrier for mechanical and automotive tasks
- Powder-free — no latex powder contamination; compatible with hygiene-sensitive environments
- Textured fingertips — grip on oily, wet, and greasy surfaces; superior to smooth-palm alternatives for automotive and mechanical use
- Black colorway — masks grease, oil, and ink; extends visual cleanliness perception; standard choice in automotive and tattoo studio applications
- AQL 1.5 — manufacturing quality control aligned with ASTM D6319 industrial nitrile glove standard
- Latex-free — suitable for latex-sensitive workers (nitrile does not cause latex protein allergy)
- 100 gloves per box — economical per-unit cost for high-frequency replacement environments
Cons
- Not rated for cut hazards — no ANSI A-level cut resistance; do not use as primary protection in blade, glass, or sheet metal environments
- Not for chemical immersion — light solvent contact only; concentrated solvents, ketones, and chlorinated compounds permeate nitrile rapidly
- Disposable — not reusable after significant chemical contamination; adds to waste stream in high-volume applications
- Large sizing only (66518) — workers requiring Small, Medium, or XL must order separate SKUs
Frequently Asked Questions — SAS Safety 66518 Raven Nitrile Gloves Large
Q: How thick are the SAS Safety 66518 Raven nitrile gloves?
A: 7 mil at the finger area. This is approximately double the thickness of standard 3–4 mil examination nitrile gloves, providing significantly higher puncture and tear resistance for mechanical and automotive applications.
Q: Are the SAS Raven gloves powder-free?
A: Yes. The 66518 is powder-free. No latex powder is used in donning or manufacturing, eliminating powder contamination risk on parts, surfaces, or in food-adjacent environments.
Q: Are the Raven gloves latex-free?
A: Yes. Nitrile is a synthetic rubber compound. The 66518 contains no natural latex protein and does not trigger latex protein allergies. Workers with latex sensitivity can safely use nitrile gloves.
Q: What is AQL 1.5 and why does it matter?
A: AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) 1.5 means the manufacturing process maintains a defect rate below 1.5 defective gloves per 100. This quality control standard aligns with ASTM D6319 for industrial nitrile gloves and provides confidence in barrier integrity across the box. Lower AQL numbers indicate higher quality control.
Q: Can the SAS 66518 be used for automotive work?
A: Yes — this is the primary application. 7-mil nitrile resists motor oil, gear oil, grease, hydraulic fluid, and transmission fluid. The textured fingertips provide grip on oily components. The black colorway masks petroleum contamination.
Q: Is the SAS 66518 appropriate for tattoo application?
A: Yes. Black nitrile disposable gloves are the industry standard for tattooing. The 66518's 7-mil thickness provides barrier protection against blood and ink, powder-free formulation avoids contamination, and black colorway is standard in the industry.
Q: What chemicals can nitrile gloves NOT resist?
A: Nitrile permeates rapidly with: ketones (acetone, MEK, MIBK), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene), chlorinated solvents (methylene chloride, TCE), and strong oxidizing acids. For these applications, use butyl rubber or laminate gloves available in the WC Safety chemical-resistant glove catalog.
Q: How many gloves come in a box of SAS 66518?
A: 100 gloves (50 pairs) per box.
Q: What OSHA standard requires hand protection in the workplace?
A: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 requires employers to select and provide hand protection based on hazards present — including chemical, cut, puncture, and thermal hazards. Employers must assess the hand hazard and select appropriate gloves; the SAS 66518 meets OSHA 1910.138 requirements for light chemical and puncture protection in automotive and mechanical applications.
Q: Is the SAS Raven 66518 suitable for cut-hazard environments?
A: No. Disposable nitrile gloves provide minimal cut resistance — at best ANSI A1 (the lowest level). For glass handling, sheet metal, blade use, or any cut-hazard environment, use cut-resistant gloves rated ANSI A4 or higher from the WC Safety cut-resistant catalog.
Q: What is ANSI/ISEA 105 and does it apply to the SAS 66518?
A: ANSI/ISEA 105 is the American National Standard for Hand Protection Selection, Use, and Care. It classifies glove performance in cut, puncture, chemical, and thermal resistance. The 66518's specifications for thickness, AQL, and chemical resistance align with ANSI/ISEA 105 light-duty industrial disposable glove benchmarks.
Q: What size should I order for Large hands?
A: The 66518 is the Large size, fitting hand circumferences of 8–9 inches at the widest palm point. If you measure 9 inches or more, order the XL (66519). Nitrile has low stretch — when between sizes, size up for comfort and to reduce fingertip tear risk.
Q: Can I reuse the SAS 66518 Raven gloves?
A: Not after significant chemical contamination. The 66518 is a disposable glove intended for single-use or short-duration tasks. If the gloves are clean and undamaged after a task, some employers allow reuse for dry or minimally contaminated tasks, but reuse after chemical contact is not recommended.
Q: How does the Raven's black color benefit the user?
A: Black nitrile masks grease, oil, ink, and dark fluid contamination — reducing the visual trigger for premature disposal in automotive and tattooing applications. It also provides a professional appearance and prevents clients or customers from seeing contamination on the glove surface during service work.
Q: Where can I buy SAS Safety 66518 Raven nitrile gloves Large?
A: Available at WC Safety and on Amazon (affiliate link) Check Price on Amazon →.
Related Products at WC Safety
- All Nitrile Gloves — WC Safety
- All Disposable Gloves — WC Safety
- Chemical-Resistant Gloves — WC Safety
- Cut-Resistant Gloves — WC Safety
- All Work Gloves — WC Safety
Citations: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 (Hand Protection); ANSI/ISEA 105 (Hand Protection Selection); ASTM D6319 (Nitrile Examination Gloves); ASTM D412 (Tensile Properties of Elastomers).
Shop and Learn More on WCSafety.com
- Shop All Respirators & Respiratory Protection
- Shop All CO Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Shop All Hearing Protection & Earplugs
- Shop All Safety Glasses & Eye Protection
Disclosures & editorial standards
WC Safety participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Outbound Amazon links are affiliate links. We accept no manufacturer payment, sponsorship, or product samples. This content is not medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Safety equipment selection is governed by applicable OSHA standards and your facility's safety program.
WC Safety participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Outbound Amazon links are affiliate links. We accept no manufacturer payment, sponsorship, or product samples. This content is not medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Safety equipment selection is governed by applicable OSHA standards and your facility's safety program.