People often confuse the two exclusive terms for gloves: glove liner and glove coating. Although both involve adding an extra layer of material to the glove to provide additional functionality, the distinction lies in their placement, with the liner inside and the coating outside, each serving different purposes.
Glove Liner:
A glove liner is typically worn inside other gloves to provide warmth, comfort, moisture absorption, and sweat-wicking.
Glove Coating:
On the other hand, a glove coating refers to a specific material applied to the surface of gloves to enhance their performance. These coatings offer functions such as improved grip, waterproofing, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and insulation. Common materials used for glove coatings include rubber (natural or synthetic), polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and nitrile rubber.
Functions of Glove Liner:
Moisture Wicking： Liners help wick moisture away from the hands, preventing sweat buildup.
Insulation： Liners provide insulation, keeping hands warm in different work environments.
Touchscreen Compatibility： Some liners have special fingertips that allow touchscreen use without removing the gloves.
Comfort： Liners add cushioning and comfort to outer gloves, making them more comfortable to wear for long periods, especially in food processing and high-pressure cleaning.
When Not to Use Glove Liners:
In heavy-duty work environments with abrasion or impact risks, glove liners should be used in a variety of ways as they may wear out quickly, compromising hand protection.
Functions of Glove Coating:
Grip Enhancement： Coatings add texture or special treatments to increase surface friction, improving grip for handling tasks.
Waterproofing： Some coatings provide waterproofing properties, preventing water penetration into the gloves.
Abrasion Resistance： Certain coatings enhance glove durability, extending their lifespan.
Chemical Resistance： Specific coatings resist various chemicals such as acids, alkalis, solvents, and oils, protecting hands from harm.
Insulation： Coatings with insulating properties, such as natural latex, nitrile rubber, polyurethane, silicone, or PVC, block heat or electric current, providing additional protection.
Flame Resistance: Specialized coatings increase flame resistance, offering protection against flames or high-temperature sources to some extent.
Antimicrobial/Non-stick: In fields like healthcare, food processing, and cleaning, glove coatings with antimicrobial or non-stick properties reduce bacterial growth or maintain glove cleanliness.
In summary, glove liner and glove coating play essential roles in glove design, providing internal comfort and external protection, respectively. Through proper selection and combination, we can obtain gloves that best suit our needs.
If you have any further inquiries or interests regarding glove liners and coatings, please do not hesitate to contact us.
How to Measure Glove Sizes – Source: AIBON
Medical Gloves – Source: FDA
Nitrile Gloves or Latex – Source: AIBON
Medical Gloves Guidance Manual – Source: FDA