Glove Box Gloves & Port Seals: Material, Thickness, and Compatibility

Thickness vs. dexterity (pick a lane)

• 12–16 mil (0.3–0.4 mm): high tactility for wiring, tweezers, small vials—shorter life with aggressive solvents.
• 20–30 mil (0.5–0.75 mm): slower, but safer for sharp edges and solvent splash; plan slightly higher operator fatigue.
• Tip: If you keep tearing at the cuff, the issue is usually ring torque or misalignment, not thickness—fix the port first.

Port sealing done right

• Clean everything: wipe port seats and rings; no lint, no grit, no old grease lumps.
• O-rings: use the correct profile & hardness; replace by calendar (e.g., 6–12 months) or when nicked/flattened.
• Torque pattern: tighten in a star; go around twice to even the load.
• No silicone near paint/adhesion work. Use the OEM-approved lubricant or install dry per spec.

Leak check after glove changes (5-minute test)

1. Set box to +5 mbar.
2. Relax gloves (not ballooned); log pressure 10–15 min.
3. If drift is abnormal vs your baseline, inspect O-ring, ring gap, and glove bead; re-seat and repeat.

Solvent & ESD realities

• Solvents: Keep bottles closed; wipe glove exteriors if splashed; don’t store soaked wipes on the shelf. If dew point drifts up with flat O₂, suspect vapor, not a leak.
• ESD: For electronics, add ESD-safe liners or grounding strategies; don’t assume the glove material is conductive.

Replacement triggers & storage

• Replace gloves when you see visible crazing, swelling, soft spots, or pinhole test fails.
• Store spares cool, dark, and flat; avoid UV/ozone; don’t fold tight at the bead.