| Glove Materials Chart |
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Use Against |
| Cotton/fabric blend | Absorbs perspiration, keeps objects clean | No chemical resistance | Non-hazardous materials, slippery surfaces, mild heat or cold. |
| Natural rubber latex. | Low cost, good physical properties, dexterity. | Poor vs. oils, greases, organics. Frequently imported; may be poor quality. May result in allergic reactions. | Bases, alcohols, dilute water solutions; fair vs. aldehydes, ketones,.light irritant protection, infectious agents |
| Natural rubber blends. | Low cost, dexterity, better chemical resistance than natural rubber vs. some chemicals. | Physical properties frequently inferior to natural rubber. May result in allergic reaction. | Same as natural rubber. |
| Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | Low cost, very good physical properties, medium cost, medium chemical resistance | Plasticizers can be stripped; frequently imported may be poor quality | Strong acids and bases, salts, other water solutions, alcohols, oils, greases and petroleum products. |
| Neoprene | Medium cost, medium chemical resistance, medium physical properties, high tensile strength and heat resistance | None determined. | Oxidizing acids, anilines, phenol, glycol ethers, solvents oils, mild corrosives. |
| Nitrile | Low cost, excellent physical properties, dexterity | Poor vs. benzene, methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, many ketones | Oils, greases, aliphatic chemicals, xylene, perchloroethylene, trichloroethane; fair vs. toluene |
| Butyl | Speciality glove, polar organics, high resistance to gas and water vapor. | Expensive, poor vs. hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents | Glycol ethers, ketones, esters |
| Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) | Specialty glove, resists a very broad range of organics, good physical properties | Very expensive, water sensitive, poor vs. light alcohols | Aliphatics, aromatics, chlorinated solvents, ketones (except acetone), esters, ethers |
| Fluoro- elastomer (Viton) ® | Specialty glove, organic chlorinated and aromatic solvents. Flexible. | Extremely expensive, poor physical properties, poor vs. some ketones, esters, amines | Aromatics, chlorinated solvents, also aliphatics and alcohols |
| Norfoil, Silver Shield®, 4H® | Excellent chemical resistance | Poor fit, stiff, easily punctures, poor grip | Use for Hazmat work |
| Zetex® | Good heat resistance | Poor grip, stiff. | Replace asbestos gloves |
| Leather | Good skin abrasion protection. Good grip. | Absorb chemical contaminants. | Injuries from sparks or scraping against rough surfaces. Used in combination with an insulated liner when working with electricity. |
| Metal mesh | Specialty glove. Protects against cuts when working with sharp tools. | Expensive. Some models may reduce ability to grip. | Protect hands form accidental cuts and scratches. Special micro-mesh versions available for use in high hazard surgery. |
| Aluminized | Specialty glove. Heat resistance | Poor grip, discomfort. Poor chemical resistance. | Insulate hands from intense heat working molten materials. |