Material Limitations: What Glove Ratings Don’t Tell You

Understanding how thermoplastics, fibers, and reinforcements behave under real-world conditions helps safety professionals choose gloves that truly match the hazard.

• By Superior Glove Team
• Nov 20, 2025

When it comes to selecting protective gloves for the workplace, hazard ratings often receive the most attention. These ratings — whether for cut resistance, abrasion resistance, chemical protection, or thermal hazards — serve as a valuable starting point for determining suitability. However, ratings only reflect specific strengths. They do not account for the inherent limitations of materials that can affect safety in specific tasks or environments.  

This article examines the most common glove materials, their protective benefits, and the key limitations safety professionals should keep in mind when assessing suitability for different work environments. 

Why Material Matters 

The performance of safety gloves are largely determined by the materials used in its construction. Different fibers, coatings, and reinforcements are chosen to maximize strength, flexibility, or hazard protection. However, no single glove material can withstand all hazards. Understanding what a material does well — and where it fails — is crucial for choosing the right protection. 

Thermoplastics are a broad category of plastics prized for their flexibility, strength-to-weight ratio, and versatility. They are widely used in safety gloves for their comfort and durability. Yet, when exposed to elevated temperatures, thermoplastics can soften, melt, and adhere to the skin, causing severe burns. 

HPPE (TenActiv™). Fibers such as high-performance polyethylene (HPPE) are known for their lightweight yet strong fiber composition, which provides excellent cut resistance without sacrificing flexibility. But did you know that HPPE is thermoplastic? This means that when exposed to heat, the fibers can lose their strength and protective qualities, and at extreme temperatures even melt and graft to your skin, causing serious burns. This makes safety gloves made with HPPE unsuitable for high-heat environments and should be avoided.  

Nylon & Polyester. Nylon and polyester are among the most common synthetic fibers used in glove shells and liners. They are lightweight, durable, and maintain excellent flexibility. These qualities make them well-suited for precision tasks requiring dexterity. 

However, both are thermoplastics and therefore share the same melt risk when exposed to heat. In addition, repeated laundering in high temperatures can damage the fibers, causing shrinkage, loss of strength, and reduced protective properties. 

Reinforcements and Additives 

To enhance durability and cut resistance, glove manufacturers often incorporate reinforcing elements such as fiberglass or wire cores. These materials do improve performance against mechanical hazards, but they also present drawbacks: 

• Skin irritation: With prolonged use, fine fibers of glass or wire can protrude through the glove’s inner surface, embedding in the skin. This may cause irritation, itching, or mild inflammation — commonly referred to as “glass itch” or “wire itch.” 
• Degradation over time: As gloves wear down, reinforcements may become exposed, reducing comfort and potentially creating new risks. Workers should be trained to inspect gloves regularly and replace them when signs of wear appear. 

Material Degradation 

All glove materials degrade over time, but the pace and nature of degradation depend on both the material itself and the environment in which it is used. Failure to recognize degradation can lead to a mismatch between perceived and actual protection. 

1. Chemical Degradation. Some glove fibers are particularly vulnerable to chemicals, UV exposure, or bleaching agents. For example: 

• Ultraviolet (UV) light. Extended exposure to sunlight can weaken certain synthetic fibers, reducing their strength and flexibility. 

• Harsh chemicals. Strong oxidizers such as bleach can make fibers brittle, compromising their ability to resist cuts or punctures. 

Best Practice: Always consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for any chemicals handled in the workplace. The MSDS will specify the types of gloves suitable for protection, ensuring the materials chosen will resist degradation. 

2. Thermoplastic Degradation. Thermoplastic fibers not only melt under high heat but can also lose structural integrity during laundering. Hot water or dryer cycles can shrink, warp, or weaken fibers, ultimately reducing cut resistance and comfort. For this reason, glove cleaning procedures should always align with the material’s specifications. 

The Importance of Contextual Selection 

The most common mistake in glove selection is assuming that one pair can “do it all.” A glove that excels in one environment may be dangerously inadequate in another. For instance: 

• A glove designed for cut resistance may offer no thermal protection. 
• A glove with chemical resistance may have a poor grip in oily conditions. 
• A glove built for impact resistance may provide little protection against punctures from sharp tools. 

The right glove is always task-specific. Safety managers should assess hazards holistically, considering not only what protection is needed but also what materials may fail under those conditions. When selecting safety gloves, keep these guiding principles in mind: 

• Match the material to the hazard. Heat, chemicals, sharp objects, and abrasion all demand different protective qualities. 
• Understand limitations. Ratings provide valuable insight but do not reflect vulnerabilities such as melt risk or chemical breakdown. 
• Inspect regularly. Look for exposed fibers, thinning material, or signs of shrinkage from laundering. 
• Educate workers. Train workers to recognize when gloves are being used incorrectly or show signs of wear and tear. 
• Consult reliable sources. When in doubt, seek guidance from trusted resources such as industry standards, regulatory guidelines, or qualified safety professionals. 

 Making informed choices 

Safety gloves are a critical component of workplace protection, but their effectiveness depends entirely on whether the right material is chosen for the task. By understanding the inherent limitations of thermoplastics, engineered fibers, and reinforcement additives, safety professionals can make more informed decisions that prevent accidents before they happen. 

Ultimately, the goal is not simply to provide gloves that meet a rating but to ensure workers are protected in the real-world conditions where those gloves will be worn. If you’re not sure which protection is right for the task or have questions regarding specific products, it is best to ask an expert.  

Safety glove materials come with limitations. While certain materials and ratings may indicate a strong performance against specific hazards, they don’t account for material limitations that can impact safety for specific tasks or environments. 

This article originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.