Glove Box: Uses and How to Use It
Glove Box: Uses and How to Use It
A glove box is a sealed enclosure filled with inert gas (argon or nitrogen) with very low oxygen and moisture, usually below 1 ppm, where air-sensitive materials are handled through a pair of long rubber gloves. Items go in and out through an antechamber that is alternately evacuated and refilled with inert gas.
What is a glove box used for?
- Assembling lithium and sodium battery cells (coin and pouch cells).
- Handling alkali metals, perovskites and organometallics that react with air.
- Weighing and storing hygroscopic and oxygen-sensitive reagents.
Parts of a glove box
- 1Gloves and ports – butyl rubber; where your hands go in
- 2Control panel – pressure, blower, O₂ and H₂O levels
- 3Antechamber – transfer chamber that is evacuated and refilled
- 4Vacuum pump and purifier – evacuates the antechamber and removes O₂ and H₂O
How to use a glove box
Check O₂, H₂O and pressure
Make sure the O₂ and H₂O readings are below the working limit (usually under 1 ppm) and the chamber pressure is slightly above atmospheric (1). Record them in the log.
Dry items and remove jewellery
Dry items and containers in an oven or vacuum oven first (1). Remove watches, rings and bracelets, trim your nails and wear nitrile gloves inside the glove box gloves so they do not tear.
Evacuate and refill with argon, three times
Put the items in the antechamber and close the outer door. Evacuate (1), then refill with inert gas (2), and repeat at least three cycles before opening the inner door from inside the box.
Work slowly with your hands in the gloves
Insert your hands slowly while watching the pressure, using the gas pedal if needed (1). Avoid sharp objects and sudden movements that could tear the gloves.
Common mistakes
- Opening the inner door before the antechamber cycles are complete: air enters and O₂ spikes.
- Bringing in wet or porous items or open solvents without a solvent trap: the purifier saturates quickly.
Care and safety
- Check the gloves regularly for pinholes and replace worn ones.
- Regenerate the purifier with argon-hydrogen gas when O₂ and H₂O will not come down; close the vacuum valves when not in use so pump oil cannot back-stream.
SOP for using a glove box
A summary of the standard operating procedure (SOP) for a glove box that your laboratory can adapt. Each step is explained in the how-to section above.
1Protective equipment
- A buttoned, long-sleeved lab coat.
- Nitrile gloves under the glove box gloves; no watch, rings or bracelets; trimmed nails.
- Safety glasses; goggles where corrosive splashes are possible.
2Before use
- Only users trained by the instrument supervisor may operate it alone; read the manufacturer's manual.
- Work with at least one other trained lab member present.
- O₂ and H₂O are below the working limit, chamber pressure is positive within range and the inert gas supply is sufficient.
- Gloves are checked for holes or cracks; items to go in are dry and not sharp.
- Fill in the log before bringing items in.
3Procedure
4After use
- Take items out through the antechamber and close both doors; evacuate the antechamber again if lab procedure requires.
- Close any unused vacuum valves.
- Record O₂ and H₂O levels, items in or out and any incidents in the log.
5Verification & calibration
- Monitor O₂ and H₂O daily; regenerate the purifier when levels will not fall below 1 ppm.
- Leak-test the box and calibrate the O₂/H₂O sensors as the manufacturer schedules.
6Emergencies
- Torn glove: withdraw your hands, seal the port with its cover, raise the pressure with inert gas and report it.
- O₂ spike or uncontrolled pressure: stop work, close containers of reactive material and follow the purging procedure.
- Alkali metal fire: never use water or CO₂; use a class D extinguisher or dry sand.
- Smoke, burning smell or electric shock: switch off at the socket if safe, never use water, use a CO₂ extinguisher and report it.
A print-ready version with purpose, scope, illustrated procedure, verification and sign-off boxes. Fill in your own document number and effective date.
Download the SOP (PDF, A4)Types and sizes
Single- or double-sided glove boxes with two to eight glove ports, with or without a recirculating purifier. Simple boxes without a purifier (purged repeatedly) suit light work; purifier boxes keep O₂ and H₂O below 1 ppm for batteries and perovskites.
Glove Box at AMI Scientific
Examples of glove box available in our store. Prices exclude VAT.
Ossila Glove Box L2007A1From Rp346.215.000
Kiyon Glove Box KK-011AS-EXT, 3-Port Inert Gas GloveboxFrom Rp988.960.000
AMI Scientific supplies laboratory glassware, instruments and chemicals with tax invoices and delivery across Indonesia.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a glove box use argon?
Argon does not react even with lithium, whereas nitrogen reacts with lithium to form lithium nitride. For other materials cheaper nitrogen is often enough.
Why is the antechamber evacuated several times?
Each evacuate-refill cycle dilutes the remaining air. Three cycles bring residual O₂ and H₂O low enough not to contaminate the main chamber.
Related equipment
Compiled by the AMI Scientific team from standard laboratory practice. Illustrations: AMI Scientific. Updated: 06-11-2026.
Need a glove box for your laboratory?
AMI Scientific supplies laboratory glassware, instruments and chemicals with tax invoices and delivery across Indonesia.
