PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF GLOVES Former Cleaning
Coagulant Dipping Drying
Latex Dipping
Leaching
Beading
Vulcanizing
Post Leaching Slurry Dipping
Stripping Tumbling
A smooth and clean surface of formers is achieved by cleaning with acid solutions in acid tank by horizontal washing and rinsed with clean water. When the formers are not cleaned thoroughly, defects such as pin holes can occurs. This process involves formers to be dipped into coagulant solution primarily consist of calcium nitrate and calcium carbonate. Allows the latex or synthetic to adhere but not bind to the form. Dry it in the drying oven. The coagulant converts the liquid latex film into a wet-gel on the glove formers and will eventually travel through a series of ovens to dry the gloves and end the coagulation process. Dip into latex tank that contains compounded matured latex. A latex layer will be formed on the glove former after it goes through this tank. The thickness of the latex glove is determined at the coagulating and dipping stage. The longer the time the glove former travels in the coagulant tank, the thicker the latex gloves will be formed. Forms and the sticky gloves are dipped into hot water tanks. This process extracts proteins and other residuals to lower the potential for an allergic reaction. A longer leaching line can wash out latex proteins more effectively. After internal coating gloves are beaded to provide a grip while donning, as well as to prevent roll back. This process does not only provide better aesthetic look to the gloves but also enhance the cuff strength. The vulcanization process irreversibly cross-links the polymer chains with sulphur. The accelerators which were added during the compounding phase increase the speed and efficiency of the crosslinking process. This process ensures the rubber will not be torn and melt easily. Post-leaching is almost similar to the pre-leaching process. This process removes additional chemical residue that are previously still trapped between the polymer matrices. Powdered gloves are then put through a wet powdering process called slurry for about a minute to ensure even powdering. The latex gloves will go through more ovens for further drying and additional rinsing cycles where the powder will be removed. Like beading, the slurry is intended to help make the glove easier to don. The latex gloves are stripped off the formers by a fully automated stripping machine, where they are turned inside out. To remove excessive powder on the gloves. The latex gloves are
Quality Control
putting into the commercial dryers to ensure that the powder is more evenly distributed and excess powder can be removed. Gloves are then measured and subjected to air and water testing to ensure compliance with acceptable quality standard standards. The air pump test serves to check for holes and visual defects in gloves while the watertight test serves to check for pinholes rate on the latex gloves.