What are the types of disposable coveralls?

Short answer: Disposable coveralls are classed by what they keep out, using a Type 3 to Type 6 system: Type 6 resists light spray, Type 5 resists airborne dry particles, and Types 4 and 3 resist liquid spray and pressurized liquid. Fabric tells you the class — Tyvek and ProShield are particulate and light-splash (Type 5/6), while Tychem is chemical liquid (Type 3/4). Matching disposable coverall types to the hazard is the whole game.

Disposable coverall types explained: Tyvek vs Tychem vs ProShield and protection types 3-6 (2026)

Disposable coveralls look similar on the shelf but protect very differently, and choosing a particulate suit for a chemical job is a silent exposure. Protective clothing is classed by a "Type" system (drawn from the EN 13034/14605 families and labeled by manufacturers worldwide) that ranks how aggressively a liquid or particle is kept out. OSHA's PPE rule, 29 CFR 1910.132, requires body protection matched to the hazard, and the Safety Data Sheet drives that match. This guide is written for safety managers and crews specifying disposable protective clothing. We decode the disposable coverall types, map the major fabrics to them, and work a selection example.

Why this matters.
A Type 5 particulate suit will let a solvent or acid spray soak through and reach the skin, a route of exposure that respirators do not address. OSHA 1910.132 requires a hazard assessment before PPE selection, and for the body that means matching the coverall Type to whether the hazard is dust, spray, or pressurized chemical.

Part 1 — The coverall protection Type system

Coverall Types rank protection from highest number (least demanding) to lowest. The four that matter for disposables:

Types 1 and 2 are gas-tight and generally reusable encapsulating suits, outside the disposable range. Shop disposables in our Disposable Coveralls collection.

Part 2 — Fabric-to-Type decode table

The fabric name on the box tells you the protection class:

Higher-Type chemical suits (Tychem) cost more and breathe less, so do not over-spec — match the Type to the hazard.

Part 3 — Particulate vs chemical: the key split

The most important distinction is particulate (dry) versus chemical (liquid). A Tyvek 400 suit is excellent against dust, lead, and asbestos fibers and resists light splash, but it is not a barrier against aggressive liquid chemicals. For solvent, acid, or pressurized-liquid exposure you need a Tychem-class Type 3/4 suit. The same logic that governs chemical-resistant glove selection — match the material to the chemical via the Safety Data Sheet — applies to the coverall.

Part 4 — How to choose a disposable coverall

1. Identify the hazard state. Is the exposure a dry particle (dust, fiber, powder) or a liquid (spray, splash, jet)? This sets particulate vs chemical.
2. Read the SDS for chemicals. For liquid chemical work, Section 8 guides the fabric and Type; a permeation-tested Type 3/4 suit may be required.
3. Pick the Type. Dust to Type 5; light splash to Type 6; heavy chemical spray to Type 4; pressurized liquid to Type 3.
4. Choose features. Hood, attached boots, elastic cuffs, and taped seams raise protection and cost; match them to the task.
5. Size and pair PPE. Allow room to move, and combine the coverall with matching gloves and respiratory protection for full-body coverage.

Part 5 — Worked example: coveralls for two jobs

One contractor runs an asbestos-abatement job and a solvent-spray job. Here is the choice on real SKUs:

1. Asbestos / dust (particulate). A Type 5/6 suit handles fibers and dust — the DuPont Tyvek 400 TY127S hooded coverall or the boot-equipped Tyvek 400 TY122S with hood and boots from the disposable coveralls range; an economy option is the DuPont ProShield 10 coverall.
2. Solvent spray (chemical). Step up to a Type 3/4 chemical suit such as the DuPont Tychem 4000 chemical-resistant coverall or the higher-barrier Tychem 6000; Tyvek alone is not sufficient for solvent spray.
3. Light-duty alternative. For light particulate or splash, the KleenGuard A20 (dust) or KleenGuard A40 (light liquid + particle) and the 3M 4510 coverall are economical.
4. Pair gloves and respirator. Add the right gloves from our chemical-resistant gloves range (using the chemical glove guide) and the correct cartridge via our cartridge color codes reference.
5. For disposable hand protection, match the film to the task with our nitrile vs latex vs vinyl gloves guide, and confirm glove fit with the glove size chart.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the disposable coverall types?

The main disposable coverall types are Type 6 (light spray), Type 5 (dry particles), Type 4 (saturation spray), and Type 3 (pressurized liquid). The lower the Type number, the more demanding the liquid protection.

What is the difference between Tyvek and Tychem?

Tyvek is a Type 5/6 fabric for dust and light splash; Tychem is a Type 3/4 chemical fabric for liquid spray and jet. Use Tyvek for particulate and Tychem for aggressive liquid chemicals.

What is a Type 5 coverall?

A Type 5 coverall protects against airborne dry particles such as dust, fibers, lead, and asbestos. Tyvek 400 and ProShield are common Type 5 fabrics.

What is a Type 6 coverall?

A Type 6 coverall offers limited protection against light liquid spray and mist. It is the entry level of liquid protection, above particulate-only suits.

Is a Tyvek suit chemical-resistant?

Tyvek 400 resists light splash but is not a barrier against aggressive liquid chemicals. For solvents, acids, or pressurized liquids, use a Tychem Type 3/4 suit and follow the same logic as the chemical glove guide.

What coverall do I need for asbestos?

A Type 5 particulate coverall such as Tyvek 400, typically with a hood and attached boots, is standard for asbestos and lead abatement. Confirm against your abatement plan.

What coverall do I need for spray painting?

Tyvek 400 (Type 5/6) handles overspray and light solvent splash for many paint jobs; for heavy solvent saturation step up to a Tychem chemical suit. Pair with the right respirator cartridge.

What does the Type number mean — higher or lower better?

Lower Type numbers indicate more demanding liquid protection (Type 3 is the highest liquid barrier among these; Type 6 the lightest). Choose the Type that matches the hazard, not the lowest number available.

Do disposable coveralls protect against gases?

No. Disposable Types 3-6 address particles and liquids, not gases or vapors. Gas-tight protection requires Type 1/2 encapsulating suits, which are specialized and generally reusable.

What is the difference between KleenGuard A20 and A40?

A20 is a breathable particulate coverall for dust; A40 adds light liquid and particle protection. Choose A40 when light splash is present, A20 for dry dust comfort.

Should a coverall have taped seams?

Taped or bound seams raise protection because unsealed stitched seams can let liquid or fine particles through. Chemical (Type 3/4) work usually requires taped seams; particulate work may not.

Do I need a hood and boots on the coverall?

Add a hood and attached boots when contamination of the head or feet is likely, as in abatement or heavy spray. They raise both protection and cost.

Does OSHA require disposable coveralls?

OSHA 1910.132 requires body protection appropriate to the hazard identified in a hazard assessment; specific standards (lead, asbestos) add their own clothing requirements.

Can I reuse a disposable coverall?

Disposable (limited-use) coveralls are intended for single use or short-term wear and are discarded after contamination. Reusing a contaminated suit defeats its purpose and can spread the hazard.

How do I size a disposable coverall?

Allow room to move and bend without straining seams; many wearers size up one step over their normal clothing size, especially when layering over work clothes.

Further reading on this site

• Disposable coveralls — full lineup by fabric and Type.
• Chemical-resistant glove guide — matching hand protection to the chemical.
• Respirator cartridge color codes — pairing the right respirator.
• Nitrile vs latex vs vinyl gloves — disposable hand protection.
• Chemical-resistant gloves — gloves to pair with chemical suits.
• Glove size chart — sizing the gloves that go with the suit.
• Nitrile gloves — disposable hand protection to pair with coveralls.