Chrome Split Leather
The majority of industrial leather gloves are now manufactured from chrome tanned splits. A chrome tanned split is manufactured from the under layer of hides (usually cow) which have been 'split' by a band knife machine and treated with chromium and other mineral salts to produce a pliable, blue-grey leather. The current EN specification prescribes a minimum of 3.5 per cent oxide content after the removal of moisture and fat from the leather.

Grain Hide
Grain hide is the top layer of the hide and is often dyed yellow to distinguish it from chrome split leather. Grain hide is more supple and generally considered to be harder wearing than split leather and has the added advantage of being fluff-free and less water absorbent.

Heat Resistant Leather
Heat resistant leather has been specially tanned to withstand the destructive effect of heat and is usually dyed green or brown for easy identification. As a general guide, leather treated in this way can be used in industrial applications of up to 200 degrees centigrade. Higher temperatures than this would cause the leather to harden and shrink.

Water Resistant Leather
Recently there has been the development of water resistant leather gloves. Normal chrome leather has the disadvantage of rapidly becoming saturated upon contact with water. This causes the leather to lose its thermal insulation capacity. After repeated saturation and drying, the leather also loses its lubrication and strength. Water resistant leather however is made using a water-proofing agent. This agent is added during the tanning process, producing a leather which repels water yet still retains its natural softness and elasticity. For easy identification, water resistant leather is usually dyed blue or brown.

Although industrial leather gloves are still used, they have now been superceded in many industrial applications by rubber, plastic and fabrics.

Rubber & Plastic
Rubber and plastic gloves first penetrated the mass market shortly after World War II. It is estimated that UK manufacturers now sell four times as many rubber and plastic gloves as leather gloves.

The majority of rubber and plastic gloves are manufactured by dipping moulds into the appropriate material, often using a cotton lining as a base. Gloves manufactured by this method are generally impervious to liquids. The problems this causes in the form of excessive perspiration can be partly overcome by using gloves with an open fabric back or with a flock lining. For example, pure cotton fibres can be anchored to the inner surface of the rubber during manufacture. Alternatively, cotton and other fabric gloves can be used as an additional liner to absorb perspiration.

Common rubber and plastic gloves can be sub-divided into their four base materials: natural rubber (latex), neoprene rubber (chlorophene), nitrile rubber (acrylonitrile-butadeine) and PVC (polyvinylchloride). Whilst all four have good abrasion resistance, natural rubber has the highest tensile strength and has the added advantage of retaining its flexibility at low temperatures. It is, however, subject to attack and breakdown by petroleum and oil-based solvents. A recent development has been the introduction of cotton supported (NBR) gloves which combine resistance to cuts and abrasions with resistance to oils, greases and solvents.

If hazardous chemicals are involved, it is advisable to test and inspect gloves prior to and periodically during use as degradation of the material may occur in the presence of certain chemicals. Employers should be aware of the possibility of permeation of a chemical through a glove. BS 4724 describes the method of testing to assess the resistance to permeation (in terms of breakthrough time) afforded by a particular material to certain chemicals.

Pressure-testing services are available from some manufacturers and distributors to ensure that gloves are impermeable to air prior to use. Rubber and PVC gloves marked 'pressure tested' should have been tested in accordance with the procedure described in BS 1651:1986.

Specialised products offer increased resistance to certain chemicals.
For example, Butyl rubber is used for highly corrosive acids and Viton rubber for chlorinated solvents. For protection against electrical currents, electricians must use gloves manufactured and tested to BS 697:1986.