Worried about choosing the wrong nitrile gloves for handling chemicals? A mistake can lead to safety risks and unhappy clients. This guide will help you quickly determine which chemicals are safe.

Nitrile gloves offer great protection against many acids, bases, and alcohols. However, they are not recommended for use with strong solvents like acetone or other ketones. Always check a chemical resistance chart for specific-use cases.

Nitrile Glove Chemical Resistance.

That’s the short answer, but I know you need more details to make the right call for your clients. As a glove manufacturer¹, I see partners struggle with this all the time. Let’s break it down further so you can buy with confidence².

Nitrile Glove Chemical Compatibility Overview?

Does the term "chemical resistance" seem vague? This uncertainty can lead to poor purchasing decisions for your inventory. Understanding the basics of nitrile’s material properties will provide much-needed clarity.

Nitrile is a synthetic rubber made from acrylonitrile and butadiene. This composition gives it strong resistance to oils, greases, and some acids but makes it vulnerable to certain organic solvents. True compatibility depends on the chemical, exposure time, and glove thickness.

Nitrile Glove Composition.

When we talk about compatibility, it’s not a simple yes-or-no answer. We have to look at three key factors that I always discuss with my partners. These are breakthrough time³, permeation, and degradation. First, breakthrough time is how long it takes a chemical to get from the outside of the glove to the inside. Second, permeation is the process of the chemical seeping through the glove material on a molecular level, even if you can’t see any holes. Finally, degradation is the physical change in the glove when it touches a chemical. It might get stiff, soft, swell up, or crack. At my company, BullSafety, we emphasize that glove thickness⁴ directly impacts these factors. A thicker glove generally has a longer breakthrough time and a lower permeation rate, offering much better protection for extended tasks. This is why we produce gloves with various thicknesses, so our partners can match the right glove to the specific job.

What Safe Chemicals Can Be Used With Nitrile Gloves, Such as Acids, Bases, and Alcohols?

Are you trying to stock versatile gloves⁵ that meet most of your clients’ needs? Choosing the wrong inventory can hurt your bottom line. Nitrile gloves⁶ are a safe bet for many common chemicals.

Nitrile gloves generally provide excellent protection against many common acids (like acetic acid), bases, and alcohols. They are also highly resistant to oils, greases, and petroleum-based fluids, which makes them a go-to choice in automotive and food service industries.

Safe Chemicals for Nitrile Gloves.

Nitrile’s molecular structure makes it very durable against substances that can easily break down other materials like latex. For example, it stands up exceptionally well to petroleum-based products, which is why it’s a favorite in automotive repair shops. For laboratory or cleaning work, its resistance to a wide range of acids⁷ and bases makes it a reliable choice. However, "safe" always depends on the specifics. A high concentration of an acid might require a thicker glove⁸ or a shorter exposure time. I always advise my clients to consider the application. Is the user just getting splashes of the chemical, or will their hands be submerged? Based on the data from industry sources, here is a simplified look at chemicals that are generally compatible with nitrile.

Chemical Category	Specific Examples	General Compatibility
Acids	Acetic Acid, Hydrochloric Acid (low conc.)	Good to Excellent
Bases	Sodium Hydroxide	Excellent
Alcohols	Ethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol	Excellent
Oils/Greases	Hydraulic Fluid, Motor Oil	Excellent

Remember, this is just a guide. You should always confirm with a detailed chart from the manufacturer.

Which Chemicals Should Be Avoided, Like Acetone and Strong Solvents?

Do you know which chemicals will destroy a nitrile glove in minutes? One oversight can cause serious harm and ruin your credibility. Here are the specific chemicals you must avoid with nitrile.

Nitrile gloves are not recommended for use with strong oxidizing acids, aromatic solvents, or ketones like acetone. These chemicals can cause the gloves to swell, weaken, or dissolve, leading to rapid breakthrough and direct skin exposure.

Chemicals to Avoid with Nitrile Gloves.

The reason for this lack of resistance comes down to chemistry. Certain powerful solvents, especially ketones like acetone, are very effective at breaking down the synthetic rubber polymers that make up a nitrile glove⁹. When a nitrile glove comes into contact with acetone¹⁰, it doesn’t just allow permeation; it physically degrades. The glove may swell up to twice its size, become gummy and soft, and then tear with very little effort. This means the protective barrier is gone in minutes, if not seconds. This is an unacceptable risk in any workplace. I’ve heard stories from procurement managers who learned this lesson the hard way. A worker thinks they are protected, but their gloves fail completely. This is why it’s so critical to educate end-users. Here are some chemicals that you should handle with extreme caution or use a different type of glove altogether.

Chemical Category	Specific Examples	Compatibility Issue
Ketones	Acetone, Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)	Not Recommended
Aromatic Solvents	Toluene, Benzene, Xylene	Not Recommended
Strong Acids	Concentrated Nitric or Sulfuric Acid	Not Recommended
Esters	Ethyl Acetate	Poor / Not Recommended

What Are the Safety Guidelines and Best Practices for Using Nitrile Gloves?

Is simply providing the right glove enough to ensure safety? If your clients use them incorrectly, accidents can still happen. Following a few best practices is crucial for real protection.

Always perform a visual inspection before use, remove gloves without touching the outer surface, and wash hands after. Never reuse disposable gloves. For chemical handling, always check the manufacturer’s specific breakthrough times.

Proper Glove Removal Technique.

As a manufacturer, I believe our responsibility goes beyond just selling a box of gloves. We need to empower our partners with knowledge. After you’ve selected a glove based on chemical compatibility, the real safety work begins with proper use. I always press my partners to think about the full context. How long will the user wear the gloves? Are they dealing with occasional splashes or full immersion? This is where a proper risk assessment¹¹ becomes essential. This is also where I see glove thickness as a huge factor. At BullSafety, our tests show that an 8-mil nitrile glove can provide a breakthrough time that is many times longer than a standard 4-mil glove when exposed to the same chemical. This is why we push for education on standards like EN374¹², which certifies that a glove has been tested for breakthrough, permeation, and degradation. A certified glove gives you data, not just a promise. No glove is perfect, so on-site testing for the specific application is always the best policy. Encourage your clients to follow these simple steps for every use:

1. Inspect: Before putting them on, check for rips or holes.
2. Use: a new pair for each task.
3. Remove Properly: a new pair for each new task.
4. Dispose: Throw them away immediately after use. Never reuse them.

Conclusion

Selecting the right nitrile glove comes down to understanding the chemical, the exposure time, and the glove’s quality. Thicker, certified gloves offer superior protection, ensuring safety and building trust.

---