Mils are used to measure glove thickness. Gloves with a thickness of three mils or less are suitable for jobs that do not require strong protection from chemicals or hazardous materials. A glove in the 5- to the 6-mil range is ideal for many applications involving the general duty to more heavy-duty automotive or industrial requirements. As glove mil thickness increases, more specialized uses become possible. Gloves rated at eight mils and up are heavy-duty gloves.
The assembly line places ceramic form shape like hands with their fingers pointing downwards when gloves are made. Gravity pulls the solution toward the bottom of the glove as the formers move along the line. When the gloves are completely dried, the thickest part of the glove will be the fingers, and the thinnest part will be the wrists. During most applications, disposable gloves are subject to the most wear and tear on the fingers.
Glove thickness can also be measured by dipping formers in the solution several times. A layer of solution is applied following each dip.
Disposable gloves’ thickness, material, and chemical resistance correlate directly with their use and application. Thick gloves are more chemically resistant (but also reduce dexterity). Making thick gloves is more expensive, so that they will cost more. According to glove manufacturers, double the glove thickness and the chemical breakthrough time are quadrupled.
Cuff length is another important consideration when choosing gloves for a particular job. The distance from the tip of the finger to the base of the cuff of most disposable gloves is 9.5 inches. However, some disposable gloves are longer to provide extra splash protection.
Rolling the cuffs on disposable gloves makes the gloves easier to don. Its reinforced edge makes it easier to pull on without tearing.