Definition

Nitrile, or Acrylo nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), generally offers very good resistance to oils, greases and hydrocarbon derivatives, as well as aromatic or chlorinated solvents.

Nitrile also gives excellent abrasion and puncture resistance. It does not contain any proteins and has a very low accelerator content, therefore, it is very well-tolerated by users, paticularly for long-term wear.

On the other hand, nitrile is a naturally rigid elastomer. Thick nitrile gloves may limit dexterity.

In addition, they are not recommended for cold environments (< -40°C), since these temperatures cause nitrile to stiffen, which makes the glove more difficult to use. Note, that nitrile is not recommended for prolonged contact with ketones, strong oxidising acids, esters or aldehydes.