
A glove box is a tightly sealed container that allows one to manipulate substances in a different, controlled atmosphere. There are gloves built into the side of the glass box so the user can perform tasks inside the sealed box without breaking containment. A glove box can be of 2 types – one allows the user to work with radioactive or hazardous substances and the other allows the manipulation of materials in a highly pure atmosphere.
The work that requires an inert atmosphere uses a glove box. The inert gas is pumped through devices that remove water, solvents and oxygen from it. This purified gas provides an inert atmosphere to work with. These boxes are usually kept at a high level of pressure as compared to the surrounding environment to ensure that even if there are leaks, the gas would leak outside rather than air seeping inside.
Plastic Laboratory Glove boxes used in handling hazardous materials are lined and made with materials to shield from radiation or other harmful effects of exposure to such substances.
Considerations while selecting a glove box
Material
There are glove boxes made of plastic and steel as well. The plastic boxes are made of different polymers and can provide negative or positive pressure locks as well as vacuum antechambers. The stainless-steel boxes have a viewing window made of safety glass or a full-view plastic access panel. They have airlocks and vacuum antechamber as well. Depending on what your requirement is, you can choose Portable Glove Boxes or plastic or steel. Some types of experiments can cause leaks in a plastic chamber and in that case, steel is a better option.
Number of users at one time
There may be one or two users for a glove box at one go. In that case, choose one that has two pairs of gloves attached to the case.
Applications
Hazardous materials are handled by gloves that have protective lining specifically for that purpose. Consider this while buying it. Other things to understand are that if you are handling dangerous substances, you will probably need a box that is made for such use. Multiple levels of protection are built into the box in such a case. If you are creating a pure atmosphere for work to be performed, then the box for that is made differently.
Features
There may be features that you require for your work and will be looking for in a glove box. Each glove box is unique, and you will have to identify all the features you need in one to make the right purchase. You can either get them generally or have them customized for you. Features available in glove boxes:
Humidity Control: This regulates and monitors humidity levels.
Process Gas Generation: Mixers, gas generators and monitors provide a reliable atmosphere for processing.
Static control: Dissipative materialsand ionizers are used for protection against ESD.
Germ and Particle Control: HEPA and laminar flow technologies can help in maintaining the particle concentration in the air.
Temperature Control: The glove box can have a unit to manage temperatures from -40 degree to +300 degrees.
Author Bio
Cleatech LLC, the leading company manufactures laboratory and cleanroom equipment. Buy the top-quality Portable Glove Boxes and other laboratory equipment such as Plastic Laboratory Glove boxes at Cleatech.com.
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