How ESD disposable gloves work and what types are available

ESD protective measures can be applied at various points, including the hands, by using disposable ESD gloves – but not exclusively. This article explains why you need disposable ESD gloves, how they work and what types of disposable ESD gloves are available.

That’s why you need disposable ESD gloves

The reason why ESD disposable gloves are used is the problem of uncontrolled electrostatic discharge (ESD). Such discharges can be problematic both for people and for ESD-sensitive electronic components.

Electrostatic discharges can, for example, lead to health problems for people with pacemakers or ignite flammable substances. ESD-sensitive electronics can not only be damaged but even destroyed by uncontrolled electrostatic discharges.

Please also read our background article: “Electrostatic discharge (ESD) – dangerous for people and electronics“

A static charge is created, for example, when different materials rub against each other. This is also referred to as frictional electricity or the so-called trioelectric effect.

If an object or person is earthed, the static charges generated there are neutralized by the charge flowing to earth.

Function of ESD disposable gloves

ESD disposable gloves can fulfill various functions. On the one hand, ESD gloves can limit the static electricity emitted by the glove. On the other hand, they can discharge the static electricity to earth via the body of the glove wearer, for example, provided the glove is earthed.

However, there is no specific standard for regulating the ESD performance of disposable ESD gloves. The standard EN 1149-5:2019 “Performance requirements for dissipative protective clothing” excludes gloves. However, standard EN 16350:2014 contains a regulation on the ESD performance of protective gloves intended for potentially explosive atmospheres. According to this standard, the vertical resistance of this type of protective glove must be less than 100 megohms: Rv < 1.0 ×¹⁰⁸ Ω.

When buying disposable ESD gloves, you should make sure that you choose the right glove size, as the correct fit is important for electrical contact.

It should also be noted that ESD gloves cannot be effective if the person wearing the gloves is not earthed. However, depending on the application, further ESD protective measures may also be necessary to reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge.

Types of ESD gloves (disposable)

ESD disposable gloves differ in terms of sterility, manufacturer and material. Disposable ESD gloves are made from the following materials, for example, although their ESD suitability is not always equally good:

Nitrile
Polychloroprene (neoprene)
Nitrile and neoprene
Vinyl

ESD disposable nitrile gloves

You can buy the following ESD disposable nitrile gloves from the cleanroom and ESD specialist wholesaler abovo:

Nitrile gloves CELOS Glove 1.10 (surface resistance <10^10 Ohm, ESD-suitable)
Nitritex nitrile gloves BioClean Biotac (antistatic)

ESD disposable gloves made of nitrile and neoprene (polychloroprene)

ESD disposable gloves made from a material mix of nitrile and neoprene (polychloroprene) can also be purchased from abovo:

SHIELDskin Orange Xtreme Nitrile 300 DI gloves (surface resistance 10^8-10^10 Ohm, ESD-suitable)
Shield Scientific SHIELDskin Orange Nitrile 260 gloves (ESD properties tested to EN1149-1,-2,-3 and -5)

ESD disposable gloves made of polychloroprene (neoprene)

ESD disposable gloves made of polychloroprene (known to many as neoprene) can also be ordered from abovo:

Synthetic gloves BioClean Ultimate Sterile BUPS-80 (antistatic)

ESD disposable vinyl gloves

You can also purchase ESD disposable gloves made of vinyl from abovo:

Vinyl gloves Vclean (good ESD values)

You may also be interested in the following specialist articles from the abovo blog:

Advice on the selection of ESD disposable gloves

As ESD disposable gloves differ in terms of materials and their ESD suitability, among other things, and are offered by various manufacturers, we at cleanroom and ESD specialist wholesaler abovo will be happy to help you select the ESD glove that is right for your application.

The easiest way to contact our ESD glove experts is by phone or e-mail: