What Does
Nitrile Mean?
Nitrile refers to a family of organic molecules containing an organic derivative of hydrocyanic acid. This encompasses all classes of organic compounds with the general formula RC≡N. Due to its oil-resistant nature, nitrile is widely used to produce copolymers of acrylonitrile, a key component in gloves, gaskets, seals and tubing. Nitrile also provides corrosion protection to the materials it encloses.
Corrosionpedia Explains Nitrile
Nitrile is most widely used in the production of safety or hygiene gloves, which are made of a synthetic rubber that is highly puncture resistant due to the physically durable nature of nitrile. Nitrile gloves are typically referred to as “medical grade,” and are widely used in hospitals and medical institutions.
Preferred properties of nitrile materials include:
- Latex-free
- Durable and puncture resistant
- Easy to mold and infiltrate hard to reach crevices, making it useful for preventing crevice corrosion
- Nonpermeable
- Chemical resistance
- Long shelf life