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Glove Quality
What is Latex?
"Latex" is a milky substance that many plants exude when they are cut.
It is most commonly associated with the natural rubber tree (Hevea
Braziliensis).
By extension, "Latex" is also used to describe the liquid form of
several synthetic rubber and plastic materials, like Neoprene, Nitrile,
etc.
Natural renewable source
Natural Rubber Latex is harvested from the Hevea tree by a process of
shallow cuts in the bark, called Tapping. Latex coagulates on exposure to
air, so the tapped liquid is "preserved" with Ammonia, and the solids
are separated, like cream from milk.
The Latex used for surgical gloves is filtered and combined with
selected chemical ingredients to enhance Elasticity, Strength,
Durability, and resistance to damage from Ozone and other ageing
effects.
Some people are contact-sensitive to the natural proteins in latex. The
contact sensitivity of the product can be reduced by extensive
Leaching during the gloves manufacture, such as that done by Ansell.
Ideal barrier
Natural rubber latex offers superior Elasticity and Impermeability, so
it's the preferred material for Surgical Glove manufacture. It's
waterproof, airtight, capable of high tensile strength and puncture
resistance (even at extremely thin gauges) and conforms to the hand and
fingers for maximum tactility. Natural rubber latex gloves can be
disposed of by either land fill or incineration without environmental
damage.
Alternative Films
For specific end-users, gloves are also made from alternative films,
including Neoprene, Nitrile, Polyurethane, and Polyvinyl-chloride.
If you need a different glove for a specific purpose, contact your
Ansell glove specialist for advice.
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