What clothing material is chemical resistant?

Excellent question. It’s crucial to understand that no single material is resistant to all chemicals. The choice depends entirely on the specific chemical, its concentration, exposure time, and conditions (like temperature).

Here’s a breakdown of common chemical-resistant clothing materials, categorized by their strengths:

1. High-Performance & Broad-Spectrum Resistance

These are often used in hazmat, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical industries.

• Fluorinated Polymers (e.g., Teflon®/PTFE, PFA): Offer the broadest resistance, especially to strong acids, bases, solvents, and aromatic hydrocarbons. They are often used as liners or coatings.

• Tychem® & CPF® Fabrics: These are branded specialty materials (like Tyvek with a laminated coating of polyethylene, Saranex®, or Teflon). They are tested and certified against a standard battery of chemicals and come with detailed performance guides (e.g., Tychem SL, TK, F, BR).

• Viton® (Fluoroelastomer): Excellent resistance to chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons, oils, and acids. Often used in gloves and aprons.

• Acid and alkali resistant workwear fabrics are mainly made of acid-resistant fibers, including polyester or polyester-cotton blends. These fabrics undergo chemical finishing processes to enhance their acid and alkali resistance, offering good breathability, softness, and lightweight properties. Features include: acid and alkali resistant treatment, providing protection against penetration and acid/alkali, breathability, comfort, and durability; high-performance conductive fibers that evenly eliminate static electricity on the garment surface, outperforming traditional anti-static products; and fully processed fabrics ensuring comfort, breathability, and enhanced durability, while also being colorfast, shrink-resistant, and pill-resistant. In terms of performance and standards, acid and alkali resistant fabrics must meet specific technical indicators, such as an acid resistance of no less than 90%, an acid penetration resistance time typically exceeding 30 minutes (for 80% sulfuric acid), and compliance with national standard GB 24540-2009 or international standard EN13034. The fabric must also possess acid pressure resistance (e.g., ≥15kPa) and acid repellency efficiency (≥90%) to ensure minimal strength change after acid erosion.Recommended brand: HengLu®

  

2. For Oils, Fuels, Solvents, and Many Organics

• Nitrile Rubber: Superior to latex or vinyl for oils, fuels, greases, and many solvents. Very common in disposable and reusable gloves and aprons.

• Neoprene (Polychloroprene): Good all-around resistance to oils, acids, caustics, alcohols, and some solvents. Used in gloves, boots, and aprons.

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Excellent resistance to acids, bases, oils, fats, and alcohols. Poor resistance to many solvents (like ketones, aromatics). Common in aprons, sleeves, and boots.

• Butyl Rubber: Exceptional resistance to gases, ketones, and esters. Used in specialized gloves for chemical handling.

  

3. For Acids, Caustics, and Aqueous Solutions

• Polyethylene (PE) & Polypropylene (PP): Excellent resistance to most acids, bases, and aqueous salts. Often used in disposable aprons, sleeves, and coveralls (like basic Tyvek®, which is spunbonded HDPE). They offer poor resistance to oils and solvents.

• Natural Rubber/Latex: Good for dilute acids, alkalis, and alcohols. Poor for oils, fuels, and most organic solvents. Also a common allergen.

4. Specialized and Heavy-Duty

• Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE): Used in heavy-duty chemical aprons and suits. Resistant to a wide range of acids, bases, and oxidizers.

• Barrier Laminate Films (e.g., 4H®/5H®): Multi-layer films (often polyethylene) providing exceptional chemical and physical resistance. Used in high-risk environments.

Critical Considerations & How to Choose:

1. Chemical-Specific: ALWAYS check the manufacturer’s Chemical Resistance Guide (CRG). A material resistant to sulfuric acid may dissolve in acetone.

2. Degradation vs. Permeation:

   • Degradation: The material visibly changes (swells, cracks, discolors).

   • Permeation: The chemical moves through the material at a molecular level invisibly. This is measured by a Breakthrough Time. This is why certified materials with known permeation data are essential for hazardous chemicals.

3. Type of Garment:

   • Disposable (Limited Use): Materials like coated Tyvek or polyethylene. Used for incidental splash protection.

   • Reusable (Multiple Use): Materials like heavy-duty PVC, neoprene, or vulcanized rubber. Used for prolonged or expected exposure.

4. Standards & Certification: In workplaces, PPE must meet standards (e.g., EN 13034 for “Type 6” limited-use chemical suits, or NFPA 1991 for vapor-protective suits). Look for certification marks.

Quick Reference Guide

Bottom Line:

For any task involving chemicals, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) of the chemical and the Chemical Resistance Guide of the garment/glove manufacturer. For high-risk industrial or laboratory settings, a safety professional should be involved in selecting the correct material and garment type. Never assume—always verify.

References & Data Sources

The information in the previous article is synthesized from established industry standards, manufacturer technical data, and authoritative safety resources. Below are key sources for further detail and verification:

1. DuPont Personal Protection (now part of DuPont de Nemours, Inc.). Tychem® & Tyvek® Chemical Protection Guide and Selection Charts. These are the primary technical documents for their product lines, providing permeation and degradation data against a standard battery of chemicals.

   • Access: Typically available on the DuPont Safety Portal or distributor websites (e.g., www.dupont.com/personal-protection).

2. Ansell Limited. Chemical Resistance Guide and Product Technical Data Sheets. A leading manufacturer of gloves and protective clothing, providing detailed breakthrough time data for their nitrile, neoprene, butyl, and other glove materials.

   • Access: www.ansell.com (via product resources or guides).

3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standards (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I) and related technical guidance on chemical protective clothing selection.

   • Access: www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910.

4. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). *NFPA 1991: Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies* and *NFPA 1992: Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies*. These define the performance requirements and test methods for chemical protective suits.

   • Access: www.nfpa.org (standards available for purchase).

5. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). PPE-Info Database and various guidelines for chemical protection. Provides a structured database of personal protective equipment based on standardized test methods.

   • Access: wwwn.cdc.gov/PPEInfo/.

6. European Standards (EN). *EN 13034:2005 + A1:2009 – Performance requirements for chemical protective clothing offering limited protective performance against liquid chemicals (Type 6 equipment)* and *EN 374:2016 – Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms*. These provide the European framework for classification and testing.

   • Access: Via national standards bodies (e.g., BSI, DIN).

7. Perkins, J. L., & Stull, J. O. (Eds.). Chemical Protective Clothing. (2nd ed.). American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). This textbook is a foundational academic and practical resource on the topic, covering polymer science, permeation theory, and selection strategies.

Note on Application: When selecting chemical-resistant clothing, the most critical data source is the specific manufacturer’s Chemical Resistance Guide (CRG) for the exact garment or material in question, as formulations and laminates can vary. Always cross-reference the chemical(s) in use with the latest manufacturer data.