Nitrile Gloves for Laboratories Singapore: Grades & Selection Guide
Your gloves are the last line of defence between your hands and the chemicals, pathogens and samples on your bench. Choosing the right nitrile glove — the right grade, thickness, AQL level and fit — protects you, your samples and the integrity of your results.
At JW RESEARCH SUPPLY, we supply Singapore laboratories with powder-free nitrile examination gloves, textured grip gloves, heavy-duty chemical gloves and cleanroom-grade gloves, in sizes XS to XXL and AQL 1.5 or better. This guide helps you match the glove to your application.
Nitrile Glove Grades Compared
| Grade | Thickness | AQL | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard examination | 0.08 - 0.10 mm | 1.5 | General lab work, sample handling |
| Textured / micro-roughened | 0.09 - 0.12 mm | 1.5 | Wet or slippery handling, pipetting |
| Heavy-duty / chemical | 0.15 - 0.38 mm | 1.5 | Solvent and chemical handling |
| Cleanroom grade | 0.08 - 0.10 mm | 1.5 - 4.0 | ISO class 5-7 cleanrooms, electronics |
| Sterile surgical | 0.10 - 0.20 mm | 0.65 | Aseptic and microbiology work |
Size and Fit Guide
| Size | Palm Width | Length | Typical User |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | ≤ 80 mm | ≥ 230 mm | Small hands, fine work |
| S | 80 - 90 mm | ≥ 240 mm | Small-medium hands |
| M | 90 - 100 mm | ≥ 240 mm | Most adults |
| L | 100 - 110 mm | ≥ 240 mm | Larger hands |
| XL / XXL | ≥ 110 mm | ≥ 250 mm | Large hands, over-gloving |
Key Selection Criteria
- Match the chemical — Check the EN 374 / ASTM permeation data for the specific solvents or reagents you handle.
- Check the AQL — Choose AQL 1.5 or better for laboratory use; AQL 0.65 for sterile procedures.
- Consider the task — Textured gloves for wet work, heavy-duty for chemical transfers, cleanroom grade for particle-sensitive areas.
- Get the right size — A snug but comfortable fit preserves dexterity; oversized gloves reduce touch sensitivity and grip.
- Check the finish — Powder-free chlorinated or polymer-coated gloves reduce contamination and skin irritation.
Safe Glove Use
- Inspect before each use — Check for tears, holes or discolouration before putting gloves on.
- Change gloves frequently — Replace after contact with chemicals, between samples, and whenever contamination is suspected.
- Remove gloves correctly — Peel from the cuff without touching the outer surface to avoid transferring contaminants.
- Never wash and reuse — Washing degrades the barrier; nitrile examination gloves are single-use.
- Dispose properly — Used gloves that contact chemicals or biologicals must go into the correct hazardous waste stream.
Why Choose JWRESEARCH for Nitrile Gloves in Singapore?
- Full range — Examination, textured, heavy-duty and cleanroom nitrile gloves in all sizes.
- Certified quality — EN 455 / EN 374 compliant products with AQL 1.5 or better.
- Bulk pricing — Case quantities with competitive pricing for laboratories and institutions.
- Fast local delivery — Quick dispatch across Singapore so your lab never runs out of gloves.
- Technical advice — We help you select gloves matched to your chemicals and procedures.
JWRESEARCH supplies powder-free nitrile gloves in examination, textured, heavy-duty and cleanroom grades to Singapore laboratories, biotech companies and universities. Contact us for quotations and chemical compatibility advice.
📞 +65 8039 3660 | ✉️ SINGAPORE@JWSHY.COM
🌐 www.jwresearch.cn
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why choose nitrile gloves over latex gloves?
Nitrile gloves are the preferred choice in most laboratories for three reasons. First, they are latex-free, so they eliminate the risk of Type I latex allergies for both the wearer and anyone who handles the samples. Second, nitrile offers superior resistance to many laboratory chemicals — including oils, solvents and some acids — compared with latex. Third, nitrile is more puncture-resistant and durable, making it better for handling glassware, sharps and rough equipment. The main trade-off is slightly lower elasticity, so choose the correct size for comfort.
Q: What does AQL 1.5 or AQL 4.0 mean for gloves?
AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) measures the maximum number of defective gloves — such as pinholes — allowed per batch. An AQL of 1.5 means no more than 1.5 defects per 100 gloves in a statistically sampled batch, while AQL 4.0 allows more defects. For laboratory and medical use, AQL 1.5 or better is the standard for examination gloves; AQL 0.65 is used for sterile surgical gloves. A lower AQL means better barrier protection, which matters for microbiology, molecular biology and any work involving blood, pathogens or hazardous chemicals.
Q: Are nitrile gloves chemical-resistant?
Nitrile gloves resist many chemicals — including mineral oils, greases, some acids and alkalis, and many solvents — but they are not a universal chemical barrier. Gloves should be selected against the specific chemical being handled, using permeation data from standards such as EN 374 or ASTM F739. For example, nitrile handles methanol and acetone better than latex does, but it is degraded by strong oxidising acids and ketones over time. Always check the chemical compatibility chart for the specific glove model, and change gloves promptly if they show swelling, discolouration or hardening.
Q: What is the difference between powdered and powder-free nitrile gloves?
Powdered nitrile gloves are coated with cornstarch or another powder to make them easier to put on, but the powder can contaminate samples, interfere with trace analysis and cause skin irritation in some users. Powder-free gloves undergo a chlorination or polymer-coating process that allows them to be donned without powder, making them the standard for laboratory work — especially in molecular biology, analytical chemistry and cleanrooms. Powder-free gloves also have lower particulate levels, which is why cleanroom grades specify powder-free, low-particle construction.