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New gloves combine static protection, chemical resistance, and durability for industrial use. Luxembourg – Nastah Industries has tapped OCSiAl’s graphene nanotubes to develop new electrostatic discharge (ESD) chemical gloves, offering combined protection against static, chemical, and mechanical risks.

The gloves, produced using Tuball graphene nanotubes, maintain conductivity without affecting flexibility, strength, or colour options, said OCSiAl in a 9 Oct statement. The gloves meet EN 16350 standards for ESD protection and are intended for use in demanding sectors such as oil refining, paint production, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Incorporating graphene nanotubes enables “triple protection – anti-static performance, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance” while maintaining comfort, explained Dr Chan Wai Hoong, head of R&D at Nastah Industries.Graphene nanotubes – or single-wall carbon nanotubes – are one-atom-thick graphene sheets rolled into tubes roughly 1.6 nm in diameter and over 5 µm long.

Their structure forms a conductive network that improves the mechanical and electrical properties of host materials.According to OCSiAl’s Southeast Asia sales representative Eugene Tan, using a Tuball water-based dispersion containing just 0.5% graphene nanotubes allows the gloves to achieve a surface resistivity of 10??ohm/sq, “even with a cotton lining.”