Nitrile gloves (synthetic rubber) is made from a compound that includes elements such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It has no latex, mercury or other heavy metals and provides better resistance against chemicals than vinyl gloves. Nitrile gloves are more resistant to punctures with most having an extremely low potential for sensitization. This means you can wear it longer without worrying about allergic reaction.
Nitrile gloves vs. Vinyl Gloves
PVC Gloves (vinyl) is often referred to as jelly gloves due to their translucent appearance. Besides their soft feel making them great for applications like food handling, they’re not resistant to oil or grease. Nitrile on the other hand is more durable due to its nitrile content.
Nitrile gloves are resistant to oil, acids, bases and animal fats whereas vinyl gloves are not. Vinyl is also porous allowing for liquid penetration that could lead to contamination of the product. Nitrile on the other hand is more durable than vinyl offering much better puncture resistance (4-5 times better). The flexibility of Nitrile allows it to be used in applications requiring greater dexterity unlike Vinyl Gloves which cannot be used in applications where grip strength may be required e.g. automotive industry or assembly line work.
Price Comparison – Nitrile vs. Vinyl Gloves
It’s interesting how pricing can vary so significantly between manufacturers of Nitrile and Vinyl gloves making it more confusing for buyers. For an example, some Nitrile gloves can cost more than 10 times than some Vinyl Gloves while there are others that offer similar quality at less than half the price of Nitrile gloves.
For most nitrile gloves supplier Malaysia, prices start from RM18/pair with variations only in thickness and material grade (as different thickness requires different compound). Some manufacturers even sell very thin nitrile gloves at RM3-5 per pair. On the other hand, Vinyl Gloves on average retail at RM10/pair which is more expensive than thicker Nitrile gloves. But you may find cheaper vinyl glove prices out there if they’re sourced from countries known to produce them cheaply eg Vietnam or China.
What to look for in nitrile gloves supplier?
According to Bergamot: “It all boils down to two things – Quality & Price. Both are very important so it’s up to you to decide which is the most significant factor when choosing a supplier.”
Finding an affordable yet reliable supplier can be challenging especially if you have limited knowledge on nitrile gloves. Here are some crucial points you should take note of before making any purchase:
-Make sure they offer various thicknesses. Picking the right one is essential as different thickness gives varying level of protection against chemicals, puncture resistance or dexterity needed for specific applications. You might want to consider 5mil or 7 mil for general use whereas other applications may require other options such as 8mil or 9mil.
-Experience matters! If you’re sourcing from a manufacturer, ensure that they have been in the industry for at least 5 years and have a good track record of delivering consistency. This will give you confidence knowing that whatever you get is going to be a consistent quality every time.
-If it’s too cheap to be true, there must be a reason for it. These products are known to produce inferior quality goods because its labour force earns significantly lower wages compared to Malaysia/Indonesia despite the rigorous hours needed.
-Only deal with experienced suppliers who can offer professional advice on choosing the right product suited for your need instead of only quoting “price per box”.
Nitrile gloves are essential for general sanitation needs and it is crucial to always buy from trusted suppliers in Malaysia.