All knitted gloves are produced by an automated knitting machine. But that may be about as far as their analogy goes. The great variety of knitting techniques, fibres and coating patterns used makes for a very broad range of knitted products on today's glove market. It is the knitting technique, the type of fibre and the coating patterns used that determine the performance of the gloves. Cotton yarns, for example, will afford superior comfort, while nylon is a guarantee for good stretch characteristics. Polyester gloves are extremely tough and gloves knitted with ThermaStat fibre will provide good thermal insulation. However, when it comes to cut resistance, yarns like Kevlar®, Dyneema®, stainless steel or engineered yarns are required.

Revolutionary fibres and manufacturing techniques
Always on a quest for innovation, Ansell continually invests in research for new fibres and knitting techniques. Consequently, Ansell's knitted product offering includes gloves that integrate groundbreaking yarns to produce superior glove characteristics.

The FiberTuf® glove, for example, integrates a new aromatic polyester fibre that gives exceptional durability. The revolutionary engineered yarns used for the NEW Vantage® range ensure that the gloves combine superior cut protection with great flexibility and dexterity. The latest newcomer to this product family, the Vantage® proFood®, adds to that excellent insulation against the cold and compliance with all the relevant EU food regulations.

Chameleon that fits like a second skin
There is, however, one key advantage that all knitted gloves have in common: they promise outstanding ergonomic comfort. Firstly, because the operator's hands can breathe naturally, which prevents transpiration. As knitted gloves are seamless, there's no irritation due to seams. And knitted gloves fit like a second skin, which means good dexterity and higher productivity. A second asset of the knitted range is its versatility.

Different technologies allow of different glove gauges (from gauge 7 to 18). Different finishing provides extra grip, abrasion resistance, durability, etc. And to improve comfort, the glove can be plaited, have a reinforced thumb crotch or the finger can be dropped. In short: the possibilities are manifold.

New Knitted Glove Range brochure
To help distributors and logistics managers find their way in this expansive offering, Ansell will launch the Knitted Glove Range brochure. The easy-reference index covers all the knitted gloves on offer; these are grouped according to their cut protection levels. Users can simply browse through the offering on the basis of the application or risk they need the glove for and are then guided to the products that provide the best protection levels. The new brochure has a triangular form, like a desk calendar, that makes it easy to browse through. After all, helping you find the right glove for the right application is one of Ansell's main goals. It's inherent to its corporate mission of providing 'optimal protection'.