Chemical-Resistant Gloves

Which chemical-resistant gloves should you buy in 2026?

Short answer: Match the polymer to the chemical. For oils and solvents, the Ansell AlphaTec Solvex 37-175 is the industry-reference nitrile and the SHOWA 730 covers the same chart for under $7. Ketones and aggressive polar solvents need butyl — the SHOWA 874 or the dexterous MCR Safety CP7. Acids and caustics point to the Liberty 2570SP neoprene or the SHOWA Atlas 660 PVC for rough service. The full ranking lives in our best chemical-resistant gloves buyer's guide.

Editor's pick — Ansell AlphaTec Solvex 37-175
The reference reusable chemical glove: Solvex nitrile with published permeation data behind it, flock lined for full-shift wear. (Affiliate link — see disclosure below.)

VIEW ANSELL ALPHATEC SOLVEX 37-175 → CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

Chemical-resistant gloves protect hands from dermal exposure to acids, caustics, solvents, oils, fuels, and other hazardous liquids that can cause chemical burns, skin sensitization, systemic toxicity through dermal absorption, and long-term chronic health conditions including dermatitis and cancer. OSHA 1910.138 requires hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to harmful substances that cannot be eliminated through engineering controls. The most critical principle in chemical glove selection is material compatibility — the glove polymer must be resistant to the specific chemical being handled, as no single material provides universal chemical resistance. WC Safety reviews chemical-resistant gloves from Ansell, Showa, Kimberly-Clark, and Best in all standard polymers for every chemical protection application.

Polymer selection is the foundation of effective chemical glove protection. Nitrile rubber provides broad resistance to petroleum products, oils, fats, many organic solvents, and dilute acids and caustics — the most versatile polymer for general industrial and laboratory chemical handling. Neoprene (polychloroprene) provides excellent resistance to acids, caustics, and many solvents including ketones and alcohols, with better abrasion resistance than natural rubber. Butyl rubber offers the highest resistance to ketones (acetone, MEK) and esters — chemical families that rapidly permeate most other glove materials. Natural rubber latex provides excellent resistance to dilute acids and caustics and many biological fluids but causes Type I allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals. PVC gloves handle mild acids, alkalis, salts, and oils at low cost for less demanding applications.

Glove thickness directly determines permeation resistance — how long the chemical takes to migrate through the glove material to the skin surface. Permeation time (breakthrough time) is measured in minutes according to ASTM F739. A 4-mil nitrile glove may have a breakthrough time of 15 minutes for a specific solvent, while a 15-mil glove of the same material may show no breakthrough after 8 hours of continuous contact. Permeation performance must be matched to the task duration and contact type — brief incidental splashes require a shorter breakthrough time than immersive chemical handling tasks. Always consult the manufacturer's chemical resistance data for the specific chemical and glove thickness before making a selection.

Glove length must protect beyond the anticipated exposure area. Wrist-length gloves (approximately 9 inches) protect only the hand — adequate for incidental contact and splash-free handling. Forearm-length gloves (12-14 inches) protect against splashes from below when hands are submerged or when handling open containers. Elbow-length gloves (18 inches) protect the forearm from overhead spray and bucket-level immersion. Full arm-length gloves or full chemical protective suits may be required for deep immersion or overhead chemical work. Insufficient glove length is a common chemical exposure pathway — liquid running down the wrist and into the glove creates concentrated chemical exposure at the wrist flexion area.

Supported versus unsupported construction affects durability and feel. Unsupported gloves are made entirely of polymer — providing maximum chemical resistance in the thinnest practical profile. Supported gloves use a fabric liner coated or dipped in polymer — providing greater tear resistance and dimensional stability during heavy mechanical use, at some reduction in chemical resistance due to the fiber substrate at the glove's inner surface. For chemical handling tasks with minimal mechanical stress (laboratory work, pharmaceutical manufacturing), unsupported construction is preferred. For chemical handling combined with heavy lifting and rough surface contact, supported construction provides necessary durability.

Disposal and decontamination requirements for chemical gloves depend on the chemicals handled. Gloves used with listed hazardous substances must be disposed of according to the waste disposal requirements for those materials — contaminated gloves may be classified as hazardous waste. Reusable gloves should be decontaminated according to manufacturer instructions before storage to prevent contact transfer to unprotected skin during donning. Inspect reusable gloves before each use for pinholes, cracks, and delamination that would compromise chemical resistance.

WC Safety reviews chemical-resistant gloves in all standard polymers — nitrile, neoprene, butyl, PVC, and natural rubber — in wrist, forearm, and elbow lengths, in supported and unsupported construction. Browse our chemical glove collection to find the right polymer, thickness, and length for every chemical handling task in your facility.

What this collection covers

• Nitrile — oils, fuels, many solvents: Ansell AlphaTec Solvex 37-175 (flock lined) and Ansell AlphaTec Solvex 37-155 (unflocked, lint-free), the value SHOWA 730, the unlined wash-down SHOWA 727, and the elbow-length SHOWA Atlas 772 for dip-tank reach.
• Butyl — ketones, esters, polar solvents: SHOWA 874 (heavy build) and MCR Safety CP7 (7-mil dexterity).
• Neoprene — acids and caustics: Liberty 2570SP neoprene/latex, flock lined.
• PVC — rough wet service: SHOWA Atlas 660 (triple-dipped) and SHOWA Atlas 620 (double-dipped volume buy).
• Documented disposables — splash duty: Ansell TouchNTuff 92-600 and the multi-chemistry Ansell Microflex 93-260.

• Buy the SHOWA 730 if you need the first reusable chemical glove at every solvent sink — the under-$7 stocking decision.
• Buy the Ansell Solvex 37-175 if your program selects by permeation chart and gloves stay on all shift.
• Buy the SHOWA 874 or MCR CP7 if acetone, MEK, or esters are on the SDS — nitrile fails those in minutes.
• Buy the SHOWA Atlas 772 if the task is reach-in — 26 inches keeps the exposure off your forearm.
• Buy the Ansell TouchNTuff 92-600 if the exposure is incidental splash you can strip and bin.

Shop chemical gloves on Amazon → Solvex 37-175 SHOWA 730 SHOWA 874 Butyl Liberty Neoprene Atlas 660 PVC

Chemical protection is one lane of the glove wall — mechanical hazards belong to cut-resistant gloves and impact-resistant gloves, thermal work to heat-resistant gloves and welding gloves, and exam-weight disposables to nitrile gloves, latex gloves, and vinyl gloves.

Related reference guides

• Chemical-resistant glove guide — match glove materials to chemicals by breakthrough time.
• Glove size chart — measure your hand and choose the right size.

🔧 Free tool: Not sure which glove resists your chemical? Try our Glove Chemical Compatibility Selector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are chemical-resistant gloves best suited for?

Fit the glove to the hazard: puncture and chemical exposure, cut risks, heat, vibration, or general handling each call for a different material and construction.

What thickness or mil should I choose for chemical-resistant gloves?

Heavier chemical exposure rewards thicker, more robust gloves, while light tasks suit thinner stock; greater thickness adds durability and chemical protection but reduces tactile feel.

Are chemical-resistant gloves powder-free?

The powder-free standard governs food handling and medical use because it avoids contamination and reduces skin irritation. Powdered options exist mainly for easier donning.

How do I pick the right size in chemical-resistant gloves?

Determine your size with a palm measurement in inches. A snug but not tight fit preserves dexterity and reduces hand fatigue during long use.

How do I choose chemical-resistant gloves?

Match the glove polymer to the specific chemical and check the breakthrough time. No single material resists every chemical, so consult a chemical-resistance guide.

Can chemical-resistant gloves be reused?

Whether you can reuse them depends on type: disposable exam gloves are single-use, while reusable and industrial gloves can be cleaned and reused until worn, torn, or contaminated.

Do chemical-resistant gloves protect against punctures?

Puncture protection tracks with material and thickness. Nitrile resists punctures better than latex or vinyl at the same thickness, which matters around needles, wire, and sharp edges.

What is the difference between exam-grade and industrial gloves?

Industrial gloves emphasize thickness and durability for tougher mechanical work, whereas exam-grade gloves meet medical standards for barrier integrity.

How should I store chemical-resistant gloves?

Place them in a cool, dry spot shielded from direct sunlight. UV light and heat degrade glove materials over time, shortening shelf life and weakening the barrier.

Should chemical-resistant gloves fit tight or loose?

Choose snug and comfortable. A close fit improves control and reduces fatigue, while a little room aids airflow and easy removal; too tight tears at the seams and too loose snags.