FAQ - Manufacturing Gloves
What is a chlorination process in manufacturing gloves?
Chlorination is a process whereby chlorine, ammonia, water and other chemicals are utilized in the manufacturing of gloves. The chlorination process removes powder and breaks down the latex protein as well as the chemical residue on or near the glove surface. Then, through multiple washing and leaching processes, the protein and chemicals are further reduced.
A poor chlorination process (including over-chlorination) can result in gloves that are brittle and weak, tear easily, and have dark yellow or brown discoloring. Sometimes the gloves can be very sticky and make donning impossible, or be very slippery without grip on the surface. Poor chlorination also produces gloves that have a strong chlorine odor. For obvious reasons, Chlorinated Powder Free Latex Examination Gloves should not be recommended for Dental Use.
What is Pre-Oven Leaching?
Coagulant-coated formers are dipped into previously compounded and mature latex. When they reach the specified thickness, the newly formed gloves are sent to pre-oven leaching, an extensive procedure that results in the removal of residual calcium nitrate and some natural rubber proteins.
What is Post-Oven Leaching
Post-oven leaching is very effective in removing natural rubber latex proteins from the glove surface. Washing the gloves with continually replenished hot water after the gloves pass through the ovens eliminates a significant amount of remaining natural rubber proteins.