CSM stands for chlorosulfonated polyethylene and is also widely known by the trade name Hypalon. Chlorination and chlorosulfonation give the material resistance to weathering, ozone, ultraviolet light and many chemical media, making it a common choice for chemical-protection gloves, glovebox gloves, isolator gloves and corrosion-resistant components.
The value of CSM is not that it resists every solvent. Its strength is the broad operating window it offers around acids, alkalis, oxidizing media, ozone and UV ageing. Performance still depends on compound formulation, curing system, thickness, glove construction and contact conditions. Material-level guidance and test data for a specific finished glove should therefore be treated separately.
Where are CSM gloves used?
1. Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical isolators
CSM isolator gloves can be used for aseptic filling, solution preparation, weighing, sampling, material transfer, equipment operation, sterility testing and QC laboratories. Pharmaceutical isolators, RABS and closed handling equipment must protect products from external contamination while reducing direct operator contact with process materials. CSM's resistance to acids, alkalis, oxidizing biodecontaminants, ozone and UV ageing makes it suitable for processes that require chemical biodecontamination and a stable isolation barrier.
Hydrogen-peroxide contact conditions, VHP-cycle conditions and autoclave-cycle counts are different parameters and should not be converted into one another.
2. Chemical processing, pharmaceutical ingredients and corrosive media
For chemical sampling, preparation, transfer, equipment maintenance and closed-reaction operations, CSM is a candidate material for concentrated acids and alkalis, oxidizing media and some alcohol-containing systems. CSM gloves can also be fitted to laboratory gloveboxes, sampling boxes, weighing enclosures and other closed equipment where hands must be separated from corrosive materials.
3. Gloveboxes, dry boxes and controlled laboratories
Research laboratories, QC areas, powder-handling equipment and isolation enclosures may need gloves that combine barrier performance, abrasion resistance and dexterity. International manufacturers offer CSM products for gloveboxes, RABS and isolators. Honeywell highlights resistance to ozone, oxidizing chemicals, acids, alkalis, UV and abrasion, while Ansell positions its CSM isolator gloves for concentrated acids and alkalis and environments involving ozone, oxygen and UV.
4. Food-contact and related production environments
Kingsure KS 2000 CSM isolator gloves comply with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600. This regulation addresses rubber articles intended for repeated food contact. It is not a universal chemical-protection rating and does not mean that a glove resists every food-processing cleaner or solvent.
Which media are generally compatible with CSM gloves?
The table summarizes common compatibility directions found in public CSM material and glove data. Different compounds and glove structures may perform differently, so material-level descriptions do not replace model-specific permeation, degradation and integrity data.
| Media category | General CSM compatibility trend | Selection focus |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous acids | Good resistance to many acids; some CSM data include sulfuric, nitric and chromic acids | Identify the acid, concentration, temperature and contact time. Use glove-model data for concentrated oxidizing acids. |
| Alkalis and alkaline cleaners | Good resistance to many alkalis and concentrated alkaline systems | Check temperature, contact duration, immersion or splash mode and post-cleaning residues. |
| Oxidizers and disinfectants | CSM is widely used with oxidizing chemicals; KS 2000 lists hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid and ozone conditions | Record concentration, phase, dwell time and drying separately from VHP or steam-cycle counts. |
| Ozone, oxygen, UV and outdoor ageing | A principal CSM strength | Weathering resistance is not a universal liquid-chemical rating. |
| Alcohols | Several CSM glove products list alcohols as a suitable media direction | Identify the alcohol, concentration, co-solvents and contact duration. |
| Mineral oils, cold oils and selected lubricants | Some CSM compounds resist mineral oils and lubricants and may outperform EPDM in these duties | Mineral-oil resistance does not mean resistance to every oil, fuel or hydrocarbon solvent. |
| Ketones, esters, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons | Usually not a CSM strength | Acetone, MEK, ethyl acetate, toluene, xylene and chlorinated solvents need chemical-specific glove data. |
| DMF and other strong polar organic solvents | Cannot be judged from a broad solvent category | Review permeation and degradation data for the specific glove model. |
Compatibility with selected mineral oils is a formulation-dependent CSM advantage, not a blanket claim for all oils and non-aqueous solvents. Organic media such as toluene, dichlorobenzene, acetone, MEK, ethyl acetate and DMF should be checked individually against glove-model permeation data.
Kingsure KS 2000 CSM glove performance
Kingsure KS 2000 CSM isolator gloves are designed for pharmaceutical isolators, RABS, gloveboxes and controlled chemical operations. They operate from −35°C to 120°C, resist acids, alkalis, oxidizers, ammonia, alcohols, ozone and UV ageing, and are manufactured by one-piece injection molding.
| Item | Kingsure KS 2000 CSM performance |
|---|---|
| Material | CSM (chlorosulfonated polyethylene) |
| Service temperature | −35°C to 120°C |
| Steam sterilization | Up to 60 cycles at ≤121°C for 30 minutes, or ≤130°C for 10 minutes |
| Hydrogen peroxide | 300,000 ppm / 24 hours |
| Peracetic acid | 15% / 24 hours |
| Ozone | 200 ppm / 72 hours |
| Gamma irradiation | Suitable for gamma irradiation |
| Food-contact regulation | Complies with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 |
Kingsure CSM isolator gloves are sterilized to applicable national and international standards, with sterilization performance meeting requirements for medical and pharmaceutical applications. The 60-cycle figure applies only to the stated steam conditions. Hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, ozone and gamma irradiation are described by their own contact or treatment conditions. The 300,000 ppm / 24-hour hydrogen-peroxide value is a contact condition, not a VHP cycle parameter or cycle-count claim.
CSM or EPDM: how should you choose?
Both materials are used in pharmaceutical isolators and gloveboxes, but their strengths differ.
| Comparison | Kingsure KS 2000 CSM | Kingsure KS 5000 EPDM |
|---|---|---|
| Service temperature | −35°C to 120°C | −50°C to 135°C |
| Listed steam cycles | Up to 60 | Up to 150 |
| Main selection direction | Acids, alkalis, oxidizers, ozone/UV ageing and selected mineral-oil duties | Repeated steam sterilization, hot water/steam and oxidizing-media duties |
| Solvent focus | Closely review aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters and halogenated solvents | Petroleum oils, mineral oils and aromatic hydrocarbons are generally weak areas |
The cycle figures refer to ≤121°C for 30 minutes or ≤130°C for 10 minutes. CSM is a strong candidate when acids, alkalis, ozone or UV ageing dominate. EPDM is attractive when repeated autoclaving and a wider temperature range are the main requirements. Mixed solvents and continuous immersion should be assessed against finished-glove data.
What data should be reviewed when selecting CSM gloves?
1. Define the complete media list
Record the chemical name, concentration, blend ratio, temperature, contact time and exposure mode. Vapor exposure, surface spray, splash and continuous immersion place different demands on a glove. Cleaning agents, disinfectants, residues and product liquids should all be included.
2. Separate permeation, degradation and physical damage
Permeation describes molecular passage through intact rubber. Degradation covers swelling, softening, tackiness, cracking or loss of strength after contact. Integrity inspection looks for pinholes, tears, joints and installation points. A single general chemical-resistance label cannot replace all three evaluations.
3. Check the model, thickness and glove location
The palm, fingers, sleeve and port connection can differ in thickness, stress and construction. Glove-level permeation data should correspond to the chemical, model and test method. Public data for an Ansell CSM 85-304 glove, for example, apply to that model and should not be treated as universal CSM performance.
4. Understand the scope of regulations and certifications
ISO 374-1:2024 defines terminology and performance requirements for gloves protecting against dangerous chemicals. Annex II, section 3.10.2 of EU PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 requires PPE intended to prevent contact with hazardous substances to resist penetration or permeation under foreseeable conditions. OSHA recommends selecting materials from chemical-specific permeation data and notes that test data for mixtures are often limited.
For gloves fixed to an isolator, PPE chemical-protection standards help explain glove-level testing, while equipment-boundary integrity, port fit and isolator operating requirements remain separate system considerations. FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 concerns rubber articles intended for repeated food contact; it is not a universal chemical-resistance or sterile-assurance claim.
Conclusion: CSM suits acidic, alkaline, oxidizing and ozone/UV duties
CSM combines resistance to many acids, alkalis and oxidizing media with strong ozone and UV-ageing performance. Selected compounds also offer mineral-oil compatibility. These strengths support pharmaceutical isolators, RABS, gloveboxes, chemical-handling equipment and controlled laboratories. Aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, halogenated solvents and DMF should be evaluated individually.
Kingsure KS 2000 CSM isolator gloves operate from −35°C to 120°C and support up to 60 steam-sterilization cycles at ≤121°C for 30 minutes or ≤130°C for 10 minutes. They also support the listed hydrogen-peroxide, peracetic-acid, ozone and gamma-irradiation processes. Kingsure can match CSM, EPDM or Butyl gloves to the process media, sterilization method and glove-port dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
Are CSM gloves suitable for pharmaceutical plants?
Yes. CSM isolator gloves suit pharmaceutical isolators, RABS, gloveboxes, solution preparation, sampling, material transfer and sterility testing. Kingsure KS 2000 supports up to 60 steam cycles under the stated conditions and the listed hydrogen-peroxide, peracetic-acid, ozone and gamma processes.
Are CSM gloves resistant to concentrated acids and alkalis?
CSM is a common candidate for concentrated acids, alkalis and selected oxidizing chemical operations. Selection should match the acid or alkali, concentration, temperature and contact time to the data for the glove model.
Are CSM gloves resistant to mineral oil?
Some CSM compounds resist mineral oils, cold oils and lubricants. This does not imply resistance to gasoline, toluene, dichlorobenzene, ketones, esters or every hydrocarbon solvent.
Does 300,000 ppm / 24 hours of hydrogen peroxide indicate a VHP cycle count?
No. It is a hydrogen-peroxide contact condition. The 60-cycle figure for Kingsure KS 2000 applies specifically to the stated steam-sterilization conditions.
Does FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 mean that CSM gloves resist every chemical?
No. It addresses rubber articles intended for repeated food contact and is not a universal chemical-protection rating.
References
- Honeywell: CSM Glovebox Gloves 8Y3032
- Ansell: AlphaTec® CSM Isolator Glove 85-304
- Trelleborg: CSM rubber sheeting and acid/alkali resistance
- Colmant: Hypalon (CSM) rubber sheet
- ISO 374-1:2024
- EU PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425
- U.S. eCFR: 21 CFR 177.2600
- U.S. OSHA: Selection of protective clothing materials