1. Characteristics of Cleanroom Gloves
KINGFA cleanroom gloves are engineered to minimize the risk of particulate and chemical contamination in controlled environments where even microscopic impurities can compromise product integrity and yield.
In cleanroom operations, contaminants are most commonly introduced through direct human contact. Operators’ hands are a primary source of particles, ionic residues, and extractable substances. Therefore, cleanroom gloves must not only act as a physical barrier but must also exhibit exceptionally low intrinsic contamination levels.
Key contamination control parameters in the cleanroom industry include:
•Particle Count – the level of releasable particles under defined testing conditions
•Ion Content – including sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), and other extractable ions
•Total Non-Volatile Residues (TNVR) – residual organic/inorganic contaminants remaining after solvent evaporation
•Silicone Content – critical for optics and semiconductor processes
•Amine Content – may interfere with photoresist processes
•DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) Content – associated with potential outgassing or residue concerns
KINGFA cleanroom gloves are manufactured and processed under stringent contamination control protocols to meet ISO-classified cleanroom requirements. Each product grade is designed to comply with specific environmental classifications (ISO 4–ISO 6), ensuring consistent low particle generation, minimal extractables, and superior surface cleanliness.
2. Processing Flow of Cleanroom Gloves
The manufacturing process integrates precision forming, advanced post-treatment, and cleanroom-controlled finishing to achieve ultra-low contamination levels.
2.1 Glove Former Preparation
Glove formers (hand molds) undergo a multi-stage pre-cleaning process to eliminate residual contaminants that could transfer to the glove surface.
The cleaning sequence includes:
•Acid immersion
•Deionized water rinsing
•Alkali treatment
•Mechanical scrubbing using 16 sets of precision nylon brushes
This process ensures complete removal of scale, chemical residues, and particulate matter from the mold surface, providing a clean substrate for uniform film formation.
2.2 Coagulant Dipping, Latex Immersion, and Vulcanization
The cleaned formers are evenly coated with a controlled coagulant solution to ensure uniform film thickness.
The process includes:
•Coagulant immersion
•Double latex dipping to form the glove film
•Controlled gelling and leaching stages
•Subsequently, the gloves undergo high-temperature vulcanization, which:
•Crosslinks the polymer structure for mechanical strength
•Enhances elasticity and durability
•Facilitates removal of excess soluble proteins, chemical residues, and particulate contaminants through hot water leaching
This stage is critical for achieving both mechanical performance and reduced extractable levels.
2.3 Online Chlorination Treatment
Following vulcanization and oven drying, the gloves pass through a multi-stage cooling system consisting of four cooling tanks.
An online chlorination process is then applied using chlorine water at a concentration of 300–600 ppm. This treatment:
•Reduces surface tackiness
•Lowers friction coefficient for easier donning
•Minimizes powder requirement (powder-free process)
•Improves surface smoothness
After five sequential treatment and rinsing stages, the gloves are thoroughly drained to ensure minimal residual chlorine and surface cleanliness.
2.4 Secondary (Offline) Chlorination
After demolding, the gloves are inverted so that the original inner surface becomes the external surface.
A secondary offline chlorination treatment is applied to:
•Further enhance surface smoothness
•Improve donning performance
•Reduce residual extractables
•Ensure consistent cleanliness on both interior and exterior surfaces
This dual chlorination process is particularly important for cleanroom-grade applications where both sides of the glove may contact sensitive components.
2.5 Quality Control and Testing
Comprehensive quality control testing is conducted throughout production to ensure compliance with international standards and cleanroom performance requirements.
Testing includes:
•Water Leak Test – ASTM D5151 (Pinhole detection)
•Physical Properties – ASTM D412 (Tensile strength, elongation)
•Powder Residue – ASTM D6124
•Appearance inspection
•Mechanical integrity evaluation
•Continuous monitoring of chemical tank parameters
Production is immediately halted if results exceed the specified Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). Statistical quality control ensures batch-to-batch consistency and regulatory compliance.
2.6 Cleanroom Washing and Final Processing
After chlorination, gloves are transferred into a controlled cleanroom washing system.
The post-processing sequence includes:
•Multi-cycle washing using double deionized (DI) water
•Filtration down to 0.2 μm
•Ultraviolet (UV) water treatment
•Stainless steel washer systems to prevent metallic contamination.
After washing, gloves are transferred within the cleanroom environment to a drying chamber utilizing high-efficiency HEPA-filtered air.
Once dried, gloves are moved into ISO Class 4 or ISO Class 5 cleanrooms for final inspection and packaging, ensuring ultra-low particle levels prior to shipment.
3. Application Scenarios
KINGFA cleanroom gloves are widely used in contamination-sensitive manufacturing environments, including:
•Semiconductor fabrication
•Hard Disk Drive (HDD) manufacturing
•Storage media production
•Electronics assembly
•TFT and LCD panel manufacturing
•Optical component processing
•Nanotechnology applications
•Biotechnology and biomedical industries
These industries require stringent particulate and chemical contamination control to protect yield rates, device performance, and product reliability.
