Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Concentrated Nitric Acid vs Nitrile Gloves = Fire

puppycock - 21-11-2010 at 16:23

So this evening I was transfering some RFNA of unknown concentration to a measuring cylinder to check the density, I know that nitrile gloves don't offer good protection against concentrated HNO3 but that's all I have so I was wearing a pair of disposable gloves.

While pouring the acid to the cylinder some of it split over my left hand glove, I put down the cup and cylinder as fast as I could so I could remove the glove from my hand, 3 seconds after the spill the glove was already swelling as I was removing it, I threw it to the floor and it caught fire almost causing a very bad accident.

Anyway so I don't know if I should get a pair of industrial latex gloves or just be a lot more careful.

mewrox99 - 21-11-2010 at 16:41

According to this source here:
http://actrav.itcilo.org/actrav-english/telearn/osh/ppe/osha...

Butyl Rubber gloves provide protection against RFNA. I would recommended both being more careful and not using nitrile

hkparker - 11-12-2010 at 13:51

It burns with latex too, Chaoschemiker showed me a video of RFNA of different gloves, the only thing that doesnt burn is Butyl rubber. Stay safe!