MATERIAL GUIDE
Dyneema® Fibre
DSM’s High Performance Polyethylene fibre, Dyneema®, has a tensile strength 15 times that of steel (on a weight for weight basis). Dyneema® is extremely resistant to abrasion, moisture, UV rays and chemicals, whilst remaining lightweight and comfortable. Dyneema® fibre is very soft and it adapts to the temperature of the skin.
Main Feature: Cut Resistance
Dupont® Kevlar®
Kevlar® gloves provide excellent resistance to cuts, abrasion, sparks and heat. It is 2.5 times more cut resistant than cotton and will not melt or burn.
Main Feature: Flame Resistance
Polyurethane (PU)
Polyurethane provides excellent resistance to abrasion and tears. This material also offers exceptional flexibility and comfort, and is an extremely versatile material (used on the soles of most work boots) featuring excellent durability. PU coated machine knitted gloves are quickly becoming the gloves of choice for many applications.
Main Features: Abrasion resistant and Exceptionally Comfortable
Latex (Natural Rubber)
Is the most elastic substance known. It provides outstanding grip, excellent resistance to abrasion, cuts and tears, yet is very flexible and comfortable to wear. Natural Rubber is a hydrocarbon and degrades when in contact with hydrocarbon fluids such as kerosene and petrol.
Not recommended for handling oils, grease or petroleum solvents. Our Latex disposable gloves are mostly USFDA compliant.
Main Feature: Outstanding Grip
Nitrile (Synthetic Rubber)
Is a synthetic rubber that provides excellent protection against hazardous chemicals, solvents, oils and animal fats. It also provides excellent resistance to abrasion, snags, punctures and cuts. Nitrile gloves have better abrasion and cut resistance than Natural Rubber and PVC gloves. Our Nitrile gloves are USFDA compliant.
Main Feature: Extremely Durable
Neoprene
Developed by DuPont® as an oil resistant substitute for Natural Rubber. Neoprene is resistant to a very broad range of oils, acids, caustics and solvents, but is less resistant to cuts, punctures and abrasion than Natural Rubber or Nitrile.
Main Feature: Oil Resistance
Butyl
Butyl rubber provides excellent resistance to highly corrosive acids and is excellent for handling ketones and esters. The synthetic rubber also provides the highest permeation resistance to gases and water vapours. Butyl does not offer the physical strength of Natural Rubber.
Main Feature: Outstanding Chemical Resistance
PVC
PVC is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer that provides excellent economical resistance to many oils and chemicals. Also provides good abrasion resistance. Not recommended for handling ketones and any other types of solvents.
Main Feature: Economical Chemical Resistance
Showa® Blue PVC
This high technology triple dipped PVC mix provides excellent resistance to abrasion, oils and hydrocarbons. In addition it is specially formulated to maintain its flexibility at temperatures below -20 °C.
Main Feature: Highest Quality PVC Available
Cowhide Leather
The outer most layer of the hide (where the hair once used to be). This layer of leather has been tanned with the smooth surface visible. It has good strength, abrasion resistance, and is very supple. Cowhide is the highest quality bovine leather available.
Main Feature: Durable
Split Cowhide Leather (Suede)
Flesh side of the skin, making it a more economical leather. It has excellent strength and abrasion resistance, but is sometimes less flexible.
Main Feature: Durable
Pig Skin Leather
Much pig skin is often of inferior tannage and therefore lacks strength. The pig skin used in Kinco® freezer and welding gloves are of a superior quality as they are tanned in a special way to make it tougher than cowhide and maintain suppleness after drying.
Main Feature: Durable