Definition
of Key Terms
Permeation is a process by which a chemical can pass through a
protective film without going through pinholes, pores, or other
visible openings. Individual molecules of the chemical enter the
film and "squirm" through by passing between the molecules
of the glove compound or film.
Breakthrough
time and Rate
Breakthrough times (min.) are the times observed from the start
of the test to first detection of the chemical on the other side
of the sample.
Permeation rates are the highest
flow rates recorded for the permeating chemicals through the glove
samples during a six-hour test.
Degradation is a reduction in
one or more physical properties of a glove material due to contact
with a chemical.
The overall Degradation Rating for each chemical is explained
in "How To Read The Charts."
How
to Read the Charts
Three categories of data are represented for each Ansell . product
and corresponding chemical: 1) overall degradation resistance
rating 2) permeation breakthrough time, and 3) permeation rate.
Standards for Color-Coding
A glove-chemical combination receives GREEN if either set of the
following conditions is met:
• The degradation rating
is Excellent or Good
• The permeation breakthrough time is 30 minutes or longer
• The permeation rate is Excellent, Very Good, or Good.
OR
• The permeation rate is not specified
• The permeation breakthrough time is 240 minutes or longer
• The degradation rating is Excellent, Very Good, or Good
A glove-chemical combination receives RED?if: the degradation
rating is Poor or Not Recommended regardless of the permeation
rating.
All other glove-chemical combinations receive YELLOW. In other
words, any glove-chemical combination not meeting either set of
conditions required for Green, and not having a Red degradation
rating of either Poor or Not Recommended, receives a YELLOW rating.
