 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
The surface of the glove must often be modified to remove powder and enhance ability to don. Chlorination is the most widely accepted and commonly used process. The chlorination process is a science requiring controls and experience in order to obtain uniform and consistent results in glove function (grip, ability to don and flexibility) as well as appearance. Unlike most, MAPA ADVANTECH has successfully developed various process steps necessary to remove manufacturing additives i.e. calcium carbonate, anti-oxidants and anti-ozonents. These additives may vary from one glove style to another for optimum manufacturing results. Various process steps to achieve optimum leaching of extractables and chlorination results are therefore required. Laundering is an additional post manufacturing process to further reduce contaminates. These contaminates include particles, ions, cations, non-volatile residues (NVR's) and corrosives. High quality water is a basic element necessary to achieve acceptable glove cleanliness levels. MAPA ADVANTECH uses filtered deionized (DI) water in all stages of laundering unlike most who generally use city water to launder and DI water only for final rinses. MAPA ADVANTECH filters all water to <0.5µm. Specific surfactants are selected to remove specific particles found on the gloves.As these particles vary per glove style, it is critical that surfactants vary also. This is not commonly done with other glove laundering processes. MAPA ADVANTECH uses a proprietary process during rinse to filter out particles >0.2µm. Various chemical solutions are applied to remove identified and targeted extractables. On-going particle testing is performed as the product is processed as well as before and after final packaging.This extensive testing provides results prior to shipment and increases assured consistency. DI water and specified surfactants are used to accomplish the best possible cleanliness levels. MAPA ADVANTECH specifies optimum DI water temperature to mobilize particles for removal. The industry norm is to remove ions by rinsing with deionized water. MAPA ADVANTECH specifies M.? (resistivity) together with various chemical extraction solutions and number of rinses to achieve extremely low ion levels, metallic and organic. Although small amounts can be removed by chemical extractions (as is done by MAPA ADVANTECH), all NVR's must be eliminated from the base compound prior to dipping to achieve acceptable cleanroom quality gloves. MAPA ADVANTECH researches acceptable alternatives and successfully continues to reduce NVR levels. 
pH and chlorination concentration levels have significant effects on glove quality. MAPA ADVANTECH conducts various tests to determine optimum process parameters. Surface level of chlorination is also measured to insure achievement of desired surface finish for best grip and reduced material shedding. Particle tests are conducted in accordance with IEST-RP-CC005.2 protocol during the cleaning cycles as well as after packaging. These results are also correlated to other independent lab results. 
Degradation is a change in one or more of the physical properties of a glove upon chemical contact resulting in performance reduction. This may include a reduction in physical strength or a decrease in snag, puncture and tear resistance. Our charts (for TRIONIC®, STANSOLV® and STANZOIL®) reflect results using the modified ASTM D471 test method with a maximum immersion time of 60 minutes. The results are measured in percent weight change. Our charts (for ROLLPRUF®, TRILITES®, SENSITRON® and NIPROTECT®) reflect results using the modified ASTM D471 to show brief chemical contact (such as splash) resistance rather than 60 minute immersion. We refer to these tests as "SPLASH" Degradation Guides. These tests are conducted by constant contact in the challenge chemicals for one minute every five minutes without wiping or blotting the contacted glove surface. Percentage weight change is recorded on the first, fifth and tenth oneminute "splash". Furthermore, for all references, the puncture resistance is measured using the EN 388 stylus after one hour contact with the chemical. The result is rated as a Degradation Index from 1 to 4, where a high index indicates a low degradation of the glove.
Permeation is the process by which a chemical passes through a glove film that has no visible holes, sometimes leaving no visible sign of degradation.Time from initial chemical contact to detection is called the BreakThrough Time (BTT) and is measured in minutes. The second permeation measurement reported is the normalized rate at which the chemical passes through the glove film. This is called the "Permeation Rate at steady state" (ASTM F739 test method) and is expressed in micrograms per square centimeter per minute (µg/cm2/min).
All degradation and permeation results are the averages of triplicate tests performed. All results shown are based on the performance of new gloves randomly selected from stock. Other glove requirements such as length, dexterity, cleanliness, grip or resistance against hazards such as temperature also need consideration when making final glove selections. The test data provided should not be used as the absolute basis for glove selection because of varying in-use conditions from the controlled conditions of laboratory tests. Factors other than chemical contact time, such as concentration and temperature, glove thickness, glove reuse and age may also affect performance.The greater the potential hazard, the more important to establish protection levels under conditions that would more closely duplicate those of actual use. MAPA ADVANTECH will provide sample gloves to aid in this testing. Simply call customer service. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||