PPGM Process Page

Basically, gloves are made by dipping a hand mold into a latex solution and then drying the mold to set the latex into the shape of a hand.

The actual process is more complicated and not as repeatable as expected. A more detailed description is given below.

Natural rubber latex is mixed with chemicals to react through a process called vulcanization which will take place at high temperature. The mixture is called latex compound and is typically left to mature for at least 24-36 hours before it is used for dipping.

The hand molds suspended on a continuous chain are dipped into a slurry of calcium nitrate solution and calcium carbonate. The nitrate is a latex coagulant while the carbonate is a tackiness preventer. Their roles will be obvious later. After the nitrate and carbonate has dried out, the molds are next dipped into the latex compound. At this stage the nitrate immediately coagulate a layer of latex over the mold. Because a thin layer of carbonate separates the film from the mold, it help both in removing the gloves from the molds as well as in preventing the gloves from sticking together.