inspector071 - 5-3-2012 at 12:21
For a long time now I have used a pair of military butyl rubber gloves; the kind that go with the MOPP suit. They fit well (size small for me), are
comfortable, and are quite long, extending to my elbows. Lately, the chemicals I've been working with have included concentrated nitric acid, sulfuric
acid, and mineral oil for an oil bath. When washing my glassware, the gloves are exposed to diluted acids and a layer of mineral oil. Now they are
sticky, sticking to each other and other plastics, leaving behind a black rubber residue. Washing them in concentrated degreasers and detergents
doesn't seem to do anything for the stickiness. What is eating the gloves? My thought is the mineral oil, but it would surprise me.
What kind of gloves do you use for working with concentrated acids or nasty solvents? I'm sure nitrile is appropriate for dilute acids, but I've heard
concentrated acids and organic solvents will eat right through them.
Hexavalent - 5-3-2012 at 12:43
Can't be certain what is happening to your military gloves, although, yes, nitrile gloves are great for a wide range of chemicals - but, of course,
there are exceptions; the solvent dimethyl sulfoxide will go right through many standard gloves and through your skin, taking with it whatever solute
is dissolved in it. Nasty way to go if your solute is toxic, although some muscle rub creams take advantage of this skin penetration property to
hasten their effects.
Secondly, and very importantly, it is important to remember that conc. nitric acid has the possibility to set nitrile gloves on fire!
Funkerman23 - 5-3-2012 at 12:46
Neoprene on latex might work but I never enjoyed the idea of handling Nitric that closely..Nor can I guarantee it will be impervious to concentrated
acid(s) but so far they have done well for me.
garage chemist - 5-3-2012 at 13:17
Butyl rubber is dissolved by a great number of organic solvents.
I'm quite sure that the mineral oil has diffused into them and made them sticky and mechanically weak.
Butyl rubber gloves are one of the best choices for handling aqueous hydrofluoric acid, which is the only chemical in my home lab that I use mine for.
In the organic lab, butyl gloves are completely useless.
AndersHoveland - 5-3-2012 at 13:17
In my experience, rubber seems to be very readily attacked by nitrogen dioxide, and the sticky gunk you describe forms on it. But there does not seem
to be any problem with dilute nitric acid (at least not with >10% conc).
inspector071 - 5-3-2012 at 15:36
Alright, well I guess when I'm cleaning labware with only dilute substances left on them I'll use some disposable nitrile gloves and use my butyl
rubber gloves whenever I'm at risk for spilling concentrated chemicals like nitric acid on my hands. I actually just ordered another pair of those
military butyl gloves so I'll have a fresh new pair.