glovebox

A glovebox is an enclosed workspace that enables the handling of sensitive, hazardous, or air- and moisture-reactive materials without exposing them to the surrounding environment. The interior is visible through transparent walls, and gloves are permanently sealed into the front panel so the user can manipulate objects inside from outside.

Most gloveboxes maintain an inert atmosphere, typically by purging with nitrogen or argon. Oxygen and moisture levels inside are kept very low to prevent reactions with air-sensitive substances. Some systems operate under vacuum or use specialized gas mixtures, and many include monitoring sensors to continuously display O2 and H2O levels. The atmosphere is maintained by purification columns and a purge/recirculation system, and desiccants or scrubbers are used to remove trace contaminants.

Construction and operation features commonly include a primary chamber, antechamber or transfer port for loading and unloading materials, and a gas purge system. The front is fitted with sealed gloves made from materials such as neoprene or nitrile, while the enclosure is typically constructed from stainless steel or coated steel with clear panels. Regular checks for leaks and sensor calibration are part of maintenance, along with desiccant replacement and, if needed, replacement of gloves.

Types and variants encompass inert-gas gloveboxes for nonreactive handling, vacuum gloveboxes, and specialized gloveboxes designed for radiological or sterile applications. In practice, gloveboxes are used in chemistry, materials science, and electronics for handling air-sensitive compounds, reactive metals, and rare-earth elements, as well as for certain pharmaceutical or microbiological processes where a controlled environment is required.