Material                                 Advantages                                                           Disadvantages

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)                     * Good for acids, bases, oils, fats, peroxides and amines                  * Poor for most organic solvents
(This is the standard vinyl glove)         * Good resistance to abrasions                                                          * Plasticizers in glove may contaminate solvents
                                                            * Inexpensive                                                                                    * Avoid: Intentional contact with ketones and 
                                                            * The best choice for protection against soiling, low hazard                aromatic solvents
                                                              chemicals, or for food hygiene use 

Nitrile                                                  * Good for solvents, oils, greases hydrocarbons, some acids and       * Avoid: Intentional contact with ketones,
                                                              bases                                                                                                oxidizing acids and organic compounds
                                                                                                                                                                       containing nitrogen
                                                           * Good alternative to latex for biochemical work
                                                           * Clear indication of tears and breaks
                                                           * The best choice for splash protection against chemicals

Latex                                                  * Good for biohazard protection (infection risks)                                * Poor for organic solvents
 (Natural Rubber)                                * Good for inorganic chemicals                                                         * Avoid: Oils, grease, and hydrocarbon derivatives
                                                                                                                                                                    * Hard to detect small punctures
                                                                                                                                                                    * Can cause or trigger latex allergies

Butyl Rubber                                      * Good for ketones and esters                                                            * Poor for gasoline and aliphatic, aromatic and
                                                                                                                                                                      halogenated hydrocarbons
                                                                                                                                                                    * Expensive
                                                                                                                                                                    * Only available as reusable
                                                                                                                                                                    * Poor touch sensitivity 

Neoprene                                           * Good for acids, bases,, alcohols, fuels, peroxides, hydrocarbons,    * Poor for halogenated hydrocarbons
                                                            and phenols

Viton                                                  * Good for chlorinated and aromatic solvents                                    * Poor for ketones
                                                          * Low surface tension repels most liquids                                           * Expensive
                                                          * Good resistance to cuts and abrasions                                             * Only available as reusable
                                                                                                                                                                    * Poor touch sensitivity

Vinyl Polyvinyl Alchohol                   * Good for aromatic and chlorinated solvents                                     * Poor for water-based solutions (dissolves in water)
                                                                                                                                                                    * Avoid: Contact with water or water-based
                                                                                                                                                                      solutions or water solubles
                                                                                                                                                                    * Only available as reusable
                                                                                                                                                                    * Poor touch sensitivity