Work Gloves Manufacturer

Work gloves are designed to safeguard workers’ hands from physical, chemical, and biological hazards. These gloves are made from various materials including latex, nitrile, and PVC, each offering unique protective features such as cut resistance, chemical resistance, impact resistance, and abrasion resistance. Selecting the appropriate work gloves is essential for ensuring workplace safety and enhancing productivity.

1. Products

1.1 Categories

1.1.1 Quick-Dry Gloves

Quick-dry gloves are made from breathable, fast-drying materials like nylon or polyester, integrated with a mesh design to ensure hands remain dry. Ideal for outdoor work, gardening, or any environment where quick moisture evaporation is necessary to keep hands dry.

1.1.2 Antistatic Gloves

Antistatic gloves contain conductive fibers that effectively dissipate static electricity, preventing static buildup and protecting sensitive electronic components. Essential for industries like electronics manufacturing, computer assembly and repair, and precision instrument handling.

1.1.3 Cut-Resistant Gloves

Made from high-strength materials such as Kevlar or high molecular weight polyethylene, these gloves provide excellent cut resistance. They combine durability with flexibility for both safety and comfort, making them suitable for handling sharp objects like glass, metal shards, and knives. Commonly used in metal processing, glass manufacturing, and machining.

1.1.4 Insulating Gloves

These gloves offer high levels of electrical insulation to prevent electric shocks, with different grades available for varying voltage levels. They are critical in any environment where electrical safety is a priority.

2. Materials

1.2.1 Latex (Natural Rubber Latex)

Offers excellent comfort and flexibility. Known for its superior grip in wet conditions and is appropriate for precise operations such as medical examinations and lab work.

1.2.2 Nitrile

Strong against oils and chemicals, more durable than latex gloves. Good puncture resistance makes it suitable for handling sharp objects. Hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for those allergic to latex.

1.2.3 PVC

Provides good chemical resistance, particularly against oils and fats, suitable for food handling and cleaning tasks.

1.2.4 Polyurethane

Offers excellent abrasion resistance and tear strength. Lightweight and breathable, maintaining comfort over long periods of wear. Provides good sensitivity and flexibility, suitable for precision assembly and detailed work.

1.2.5 Kevlar

Highly resistant to cuts, suitable for handling sharp metal or glass. Good heat resistance makes it appropriate for high-temperature environments. Remains strong and durable over long-term use.

1.2.5 Polyester
  • Durability: Highly durable, resistant to damage, ideal for frequent washing.
  • Quick Drying: Dries quickly, suitable for outdoor activities and post-exercise wear.
  • Shape Retaining: Resists wrinkles, easy to maintain, suitable for long-wearing periods.

1.3 Gauge

Gauge refers to the number of knitting stitches per inch, used to describe the glove’s density and thickness. work gloves typically use gauges such as:

crotch area might use a softer or antibacterial fabric.

  • 7 Gauge. Thicker gloves suitable for heavy industry or construction, offering good mechanical protection.
  • 10 Gauge. Provides a medium thickness and flexibility, suitable for mechanical operations and some fine work.
  • 13 Gauge. Thinner gloves, high in flexibility, suitable for industries that require dexterity, such as precision electronics assembly.
  • 15 Gauge. Very fine high-density gloves, ideal for situations requiring high tactile sensitivity and precision operations.

1.4 Grammage

Grammage refers to the weight of the gloves, typically expressed in grams per square meter (gsm). Higher grammage generally means thicker, more durable gloves with better protective properties:

  • Lightweight Gloves. Typically ranging from 13 to 18 grams, suitable for general daily protection and light tasks.
  • Medium Weight Gloves. Approximately 18 to 35 grams, suitable for most industrial applications, offering good durability and adequate mechanical protection.
  • Heavyweight Gloves. Over 35 grams, used for heavy industry or extreme conditions, such as mining or heavy machinery operation.

2. Manufacturing

2.1 Material Selection

Process. Choose materials based on the glove’s intended use and required protective characteristics. Proper material selection is crucial to ensure gloves meet specific workplace needs. Common materials include latex, nitrile, PVC, PU, and leather, each with unique properties like chemical resistance, elasticity, and durability.
Quality Assurance. Ensure all raw materials (e.g., latex, nitrile, PVC) meet quality standards, including uniformity, color, thickness, and absence of visible defects such as holes or stains.

2.2 Knitting

Knitting is the primary method for manufacturing knitted work gloves, utilizing automated knitting machines set to specific gauges to create the glove’s basic structure and size.

Gauge Variability. Common gauges include 7, 10, 13, and 15, with higher gauges producing finer gloves.

2.3 Coating Application

Apply specific materials such as latex or nitrile to the palm or entire surface of the knitted gloves via dipping or spraying to add functionalities like slip resistance, waterproofing, or chemical resistance.
Curing. After coating, gloves undergo a drying process to cure the coating, ensuring it adheres firmly and uniformly, enhancing performance and durability.

2.4 Shaping

Gloves may need to be shaped using heat and molds after coating and drying to ensure accurate sizing and enhance comfort and functionality.

2.5 Inspection

Quality checks at every stage of production, including raw materials, intermediate products, and final products, are crucial. Standards include resistance to puncture, abrasion, and chemical exposure.

2.5.1 Dimensions

Measure the length, width, and other key dimensions of the glove to confirm that all dimensions are within preset tolerances.

2.5.2 Color difference

Thoroughly inspect the gloves for color consistency to ensure there are no color differences or poor cosmetic treatments.

2.5.3 Seams

Check the interior of the glove for rough stitching or improper seams, which may cause discomfort to the wearer.

2.5.4 Function
  • Tear Resistance. Tests the glove’s ability to resist tearing when pulled.
  • Puncture Resistance. Evaluates a glove’s ability to resist penetration by sharp objects.
  • Abrasion resistance testing. Evaluates the durability of gloves when exposed to repeated friction or contact with rough surfaces.
  • Chemical penetration and corrosion testing. Test the structural stability and material changes of gloves after exposure to specific chemicals.
  • High temperature resistance. Evaluate the protective effect of gloves in high temperature environments.
  • Low temperature resistance. Test the insulation and softness of gloves in cold environments.
  • Breathability and Moisture Absorption. Assess the glove’s breathability and moisture absorption rate to ensure comfort for extended wear.

2.6 Packaging

After passing quality checks, gloves are cleaned, sorted, and packaged. Packaging typically includes clear plastic bags and boxes, with labels indicating size, material, and care instructions.

3. Facility Equipment

3.1 Knitting Machines

Knitting machines are essential for producing various types of knitted gloves, such as cotton, nylon, or blended fibers. These machines can be adjusted to different gauges to accommodate varying thicknesses and densities of gloves.

3.2 Coating Machines

Coating machines apply protective coatings like latex, nitrile, or PVC to gloves. These coatings enhance the gloves’ durability and grip and provide additional properties like waterproofing, oil resistance, or chemical protection.

3.3 Drying Equipment

Drying equipment is used post-coating to quickly dry gloves, ensuring the coating cures evenly and prevents sticking and uneven distribution.

3.4 Quality Control Instruments

3.4.1 Tensile Tester

Measures the strength and elongation of glove materials under tension, ensuring durability and resistance to normal stresses.

3.4.2 Abrasion Tester

Assesses the durability of gloves against friction or long-term use, crucial for gloves used in rough environments.

3.4.3 Puncture Resistance Tester

Evaluates the ability of gloves to resist penetration by sharp objects, key for cut-resistant or puncture-resistant gloves.

3.4.4 Compression Tester

Checks glove performance under pressure, including compressibility and shape recovery, important for evaluating compression resistance and comfort after extended use.

3.4.5 Thermal Resistance Tester

Tests gloves’ protective performance at different temperatures, essential for heat-resistant and cold-resistant gloves.

3.4.6 Chemical Permeation Tester

Measures the time it takes for chemicals to permeate glove materials, vital for chemical work gloves to ensure they prevent harmful chemical exposure.

3.4.7 Color Fastness Tester

Evaluates the stability of glove colors under washing or long-term exposure to light, ensuring color durability and resistance to fading.

4. Problem and Solution

4.1 Material Inconsistency

  • Problem. Variability in the quality of raw materials (such as rubber, nitrile, PVC) can lead to performance disparities in the finished gloves.
  • Solution. Select reputable material suppliers and implement stringent quality control checks upon receipt. Establish a stable supply chain relationship to ensure consistency and traceability of materials.

4.2 Uneven Coating

  • Problem. Gloves may exhibit uneven coating during production, affecting their protective performance and durability.
  • Solution. Optimize the coating process and adjust equipment settings to ensure even application. Regularly maintain and calibrate coating machinery to monitor and control coating thickness and quality.

4.3 Size Inconsistency

  • Problem. Differences in glove sizes between production batches can affect user comfort and the functionality of the gloves.
  • Solution. Standardize production processes, utilize automated cutting and sewing equipment to improve size accuracy. Regularly calibrate equipment and train operators to ensure consistency in product sizing across batches.