Test MethodComparison of permeability determined by permeation cell and immersion methods for organic solvents through protective gloves

The chemical resistance of protective gloves has been tested using the ASTM F739 standard permeation method, as well as the immersion gravimetric method. Diffusion and solubility coefficients of four organic solvents, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and p-xylene, in nitrile and neoprene gloves were investigated. The diffusion coefficients determined by the ASTM F739 method were consistent with the immersion test (r2=0.714, p=0.008), and their permeation coefficients showed excellent correlation (r2=0.979, p=0.011) for nitrile gloves. Using a one-dimensional diffusion equation based on Fick's second law, the simulation results indicated that the immersion test could be inappropriate for determining the diffusion and solubility coefficients of organic solvent permeation through neoprene gloves. For the practical purpose of effective evaluation, a test should be conducted to obtain the permeability using ASTM F739 method which can closely simulate the exposure conditions of workers wearing protective gloves.