SAS Astro-Grip Powder-Free 7-Mil Nitrile Disposable Gloves

Thickness directly affects puncture resistance, chemical barrier time, and durability. A 7 mil glove is 40% heavier than a 5 mil glove — it takes more force to puncture, provides a longer barrier against chemical permeation, and withstands more physical stress before tearing. In automotive and industrial environments where gloves contact sharp edges, metal parts, and abrasive surfaces, the additional thickness translates to meaningful use-duration differences. Five-mil gloves are adequate for light tasks, medical examination, and clean environments; 7 mil is the appropriate choice for heavy industrial, chemical handling, and high-demand disposable glove applications. If you frequently replace thin gloves mid-task due to tears, upgrading to the Astro-Grip's 7 mil construction often reduces glove consumption and improves worker comfort. Browse the full nitrile gloves collection for options at different thickness levels.

Standard textured nitrile gloves apply embossing only to the fingertips and palm — the dorsal (back) surface is smooth. The Astro-Grip's dual-sided design applies the 3D cube grid to both surfaces. This matters when tool contact or grip occurs from any direction: a wrench handle pressed against the back of the hand, a part gripped between thumb and index finger from multiple angles, or a container held with the glove's exterior against a surface. The cube geometry creates multiple raised contact points per square inch rather than the smooth nitrile surface that develops a hydroplaning effect in oily conditions. The patent-pending aspect of the texture relates to the specific cube geometry, dimensions, and bilateral application — competing textured gloves use different patterns that do not replicate the specific grip performance of the Astro-Grip design.

SAS Safety sizes the Astro-Grip in Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-Large — no Small is offered in this product line. Medium fits hand circumferences of roughly 7–8 inches; Large fits 8–9 inches; X-Large fits 9–10 inches; XX-Large fits 10 inches and larger. Measure around the widest part of the dominant hand (excluding the thumb) to determine hand circumference. A proper fit is essential for grip performance: an oversized glove develops excess material folds that reduce tactile sensitivity and can catch on tools or controls; an undersized glove restricts circulation and fatigues the hand during extended wear. When in doubt between sizes, size down — the Astro-Grip's nitrile material stretches to accommodate, and a snug fit maximizes the 3D grip texture contact with tools and surfaces.

The Astro-Grip passes ASTM D6978, which is the standard cited by many law enforcement and first responder agencies as a requirement for disposable gloves used in drug seizure, evidence collection, and decontamination involving opioid-contaminated materials. Passing ASTM D6978 means the glove resisted permeation by a defined set of chemotherapy drugs at specified concentrations for a defined test duration. This is used as a proxy for opioid resistance because no specific ASTM standard exists for fentanyl itself. The CDC and NIOSH recommend double-gloving with nitrile gloves meeting ASTM D6978 for potential fentanyl exposure — wearing two pairs of Astro-Grip gloves would satisfy this recommendation for the glove layer. Follow your agency's exposure control plan: this may include additional PPE (face shield, Tyvek) depending on the suspected concentration and form of the substance. Do not rely solely on glove selection for highly suspected concentrated fentanyl environments — respiratory protection may also be required.

Yes — the Astro-Grip is manufactured from nitrile (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber), which contains no natural rubber latex proteins. Latex allergy affects an estimated 4–6% of the general population and up to 17% of healthcare workers with repeated exposure — for these individuals, nitrile is the standard alternative. The Astro-Grip is also powder-free: powdered gloves release latex-protein-carrying particles into the air during donning and doffing, which is the primary inhalation exposure pathway for latex sensitization. The FDA banned powdered latex gloves for medical use in 2017 specifically due to allergenic risk. For workplaces with known latex-sensitive personnel, a latex-free, powder-free nitrile glove like the Astro-Grip satisfies both the individual accommodation and general workplace risk reduction objective.

Nitrile gloves should be stored in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, ozone sources (electric motors, UV lights), and heat. Ideal storage temperature is between 50°F and 77°F (10–25°C) with relative humidity below 65%. Avoid storing near chemical vapors — nitrile can absorb volatile organic compounds from ambient air, which degrades the barrier properties without visible damage to the glove. Do not stack heavy objects on top of boxed gloves, as deformation of the box can crease and weaken individual gloves. Under proper storage conditions, nitrile gloves have a shelf life of approximately 3–5 years from manufacturing date. OSHA does not specify a mandatory disposal date for unused stored PPE, but the employer's PPE inspection program should include periodic checks for discoloration, brittleness, or off-gassing odors that indicate degradation.

Yes — the Astro-Grip is FDA-compliant under 21 CFR 170–199, which covers food additives and indirect food additives including materials contacting food. This compliance makes the glove appropriate for food preparation, food handling, and food processing environments. Orange is a common color-coding selection in food service glove programs because it contrasts clearly with most food products and surfaces, making discarded or contaminated gloves visible. Check your jurisdiction's local food handling regulations — some health departments specify glove material or color requirements for certain food service operations. The powder-free specification also satisfies FDA requirements and most food production facility standards, which prohibit powdered gloves due to contamination risk. For high-volume food service operations, buying by the case (1000 gloves in 10 boxes) may provide cost efficiency; check the nitrile gloves collection for case-pack options.

Nitrile is a strong general-purpose chemical barrier material, but it has limitations. The Astro-Grip should not be used as the primary barrier for: concentrated aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, xylene, benzene) — nitrile swells and degrades rapidly; ketone solvents (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone) — high permeation rate through nitrile even at 7 mil; strong oxidizing acids (concentrated sulfuric acid, nitric acid, chromic acid) — degradation is rapid; and some chlorinated solvents (methylene chloride, trichloroethylene) at high concentration. For these chemical exposure scenarios, a reusable chemical-resistant glove made from butyl rubber, neoprene, or laminated film is the appropriate selection. Consult your chemical's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Section 8 for PPE guidance — the SDS manufacturer's recommendation supersedes general material compatibility tables because concentration, temperature, and exposure duration all affect breakthrough time.

No — the orange color is a manufacturer specification for high-visibility and color-coding purposes, not a certification indicator. OSHA does not specify glove colors for any application, and there is no standardized color-coding system for disposable gloves across the industry (unlike some other PPE categories). Orange is commonly used in commercial color-coded glove programs for chemical or industrial use, but individual facilities set their own color codes. The performance specifications — 7 mil thickness, exam grade, ASTM D6978, FDA food contact compliance — are the relevant selection criteria, not the color. When implementing a facility color-coded glove program, use the Astro-Grip's orange color as part of your facility's documented program, and train workers on your specific color assignments rather than assuming industry-wide standards.

Each box contains 100 gloves (50 pairs). Case quantities of 10 boxes (1000 gloves total) are also available on Amazon for facilities with higher volume requirements — see the 1000-glove case option ↗ for the volume price. For facilities tracking glove consumption by department, the 100-glove box is convenient for individual assignment; for centralized stores rooms supplying multiple departments, the case quantity reduces per-unit cost and ordering frequency. The gloves are individually interleaved (not paired) in the box — ambidextrous design means any glove fits either hand, simplifying dispensing.