Effects of differing glove materials on simulated organic gunshot residue permeation characteristics

After firing, a gun accumulates gunshot residue (GSR), often also termed "fouling," that requires removal to prevent malfunctions like jamming, misfires, and decreased accuracy. The objective was to investigate how different disposable glove materials and their sequence affect the permeation of GSR in a simulated gun cleaning solvent (GCS). Simulated GSR of methyl centralite and ethyl centralite dissolved in simulated GCS of 7:3 n-decane/ethanol challenged two equally thick disposable glove materials, Lavender nitrile (N) and polyvinylchloride (PVC or vinyl (V), using the ASTM F739 permeation cell and n-decane closed-loop collection without recirculation at 35 °C, followed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry quantitation of the two permeated GSRs. Simulating double gloving, N:N provided the greatest reduction in permeation relative to the standardized breakthrough time and permeated mass, followed by V:N, V:V, and N:V, the first letter denoting the glove material in contact with the GSR solution. V:V also caused enhanced permeation of ethyl centralite relative to methyl centralite, whereas all other combinations caused the reverse. The permeation characteristics relative to the sequence of materials permeated provide essential data to design gloves that will better protect during gun cleaning with gun cleaning solvents via double gloving and blend/laminated glove analogs.