What is Chlorination and why Chlorinate?
This involves washing in water containing dissolved chlorine, followed by neutralisation and rinsing to eliminate any residue. Chlorination can be carried out on the production line (in which case the inside of the glove is chlorinated) or at the post-manufacturing phase (the glove is chlorinated both inside and out). The chlorine modifies the chemical structure of the glove’s surface. The process is permanent and irreversible. Chlorination is also sometimes termed halogenation and can refer to smooth finished gloves. Rubber does not slip, particularly natural latex. Chlorination makes the glove surface slippery thus making it easier to put on. It is therefore an essential process for gloves without a cotton flocklined interior or where there is no powder to help ease them on. Single-use, “non-powdered” disposable gloves made of natural or synthetic (nitrile, etc.) rubber are chlorinated.
