Laboratory Glove Boxes
Labs USA supplies laboratory glove boxes and glovebox systems for research, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. Glove boxes provide a sealed, controlled-atmosphere enclosure for handling air-sensitive, moisture-sensitive, or hazardous materials safely. Available in stainless steel, acrylic, and polycarbonate configurations.
Call (801) 855-8560 or request a quote.
What Is a Laboratory Glove Box?
A laboratory glove box (also called a glovebox or isolator) is a sealed enclosure with built-in glove ports that allow users to manipulate materials inside without direct contact or atmospheric exposure. The internal atmosphere can be controlled — filled with inert gas (nitrogen, argon), maintained at specific humidity levels, or kept under negative pressure for hazardous materials.
Glove boxes are essential for:
- Handling air-sensitive chemicals and compounds (lithium batteries, organometallics)
- Working with moisture-sensitive materials
- Manipulating radioactive or highly toxic substances
- Pharmaceutical compounding in controlled environments
- Nanotechnology and advanced materials research
- Forensic evidence handling
Types of Glove Boxes
| Type | Atmosphere | Applications | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inert Gas Glove Box | Nitrogen or argon (<1 ppm O₂/H₂O) | Battery research, organometallics, OLED | $15,000–$80,000+ |
| Controlled Atmosphere | Mixed gas, humidity controlled | Pharmaceutical, biological samples | $10,000–$50,000 |
| Negative Pressure | Contained hazardous atmosphere | Radioactive, toxic, cytotoxic materials | $8,000–$40,000 |
| Portable / Benchtop | Basic containment | Teaching, weighing, simple isolation | $2,000–$8,000 |
Glove Box vs. Fume Hood vs. BSC
- Glove Box — Sealed enclosure with glove ports. Provides the highest level of containment and atmosphere control. No direct air exchange with the room.
- Fume Hood — Open-front enclosure with ducted exhaust. Protects the user from chemical vapors but does not control the internal atmosphere.
- Biological Safety Cabinet — HEPA-filtered enclosure. Protects user, product, and environment from biological hazards. Not sealed — air flows in and out through HEPA filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a laboratory glove box cost?
Basic benchtop glove boxes start at $2,000-$5,000. Research-grade inert gas glove boxes with gas purification systems typically cost $20,000-$60,000. Large custom systems with integrated equipment can exceed $100,000. Contact Labs USA for a quote specific to your needs.
What glove materials are available?
Common glove box glove materials include butyl rubber (general purpose, good chemical resistance), Hypalon (excellent acid/solvent resistance), neoprene (moderate chemical resistance, good dexterity), and polyurethane (high dexterity, limited chemical resistance). The right choice depends on the chemicals you’re handling.
How do you maintain an inert atmosphere in a glove box?
Inert atmosphere glove boxes use a gas purification system that continuously removes oxygen and moisture from the internal atmosphere, maintaining levels below 1 ppm (parts per million). The system circulates the gas through catalytic columns that absorb O₂ and H₂O. Regular regeneration of the purifier columns is required.
Glovebox Specification Checklist: Plan the Process Before the Chamber
The smallest glovebox is not always the lowest-cost workable choice. A compact chamber may meet the atmosphere requirement but leave too little room for the instrument, operator hand movements, sample transfer, cables, and service access. Start with the full workflow, then choose the chamber width, glove-port arrangement, antechamber, purifier, and feedthroughs around it.
Use the checklist below before requesting a manufacturer review. For broader room coordination, see the Containment System Planning Guide and Laboratory Design and Planning Services.
Define the atmosphere and process
- State the required gas. Nitrogen and argon are common choices, but the correct gas depends on the chemistry, equipment, and operating cost.
- Give separate oxygen and moisture targets in ppm. Do not write only “inert.” Identify whether the target must be maintained during normal operation, after antechamber cycles, or during a specific procedure.
- Describe the materials, solvents, and process gases entering the box. These details can affect purifier selection, filter needs, and whether contaminants could damage or overload the purification system.
- Explain how materials enter, move through, and leave the chamber. Include container dimensions, batch size, transfer frequency, and whether samples must remain sealed from room air.
- If a quartz ampoule or another vessel must be evacuated inside the box, describe the complete vacuum sequence. Identify where the pump will sit, the required vacuum connection, valve arrangement, and how the sealed vessel will be removed cleanly.
- List any hazards and the desired operating pressure relationship. EHS and the project engineer should review the containment strategy and confirm applicable requirements with the authority having jurisdiction.
Size the chamber around everything inside
| Decision | Information to confirm |
|---|---|
| Usable chamber space | Provide the equipment’s width, depth, and height, plus protruding handles, stages, cables, and doors. Allow space to load samples, use tools, and clean around the equipment. |
| Glove ports | Mark the tasks performed at each location. Confirm that users can reach controls and transfer points without blocking the equipment or crossing their arms. |
| Antechamber | Give the largest item that must pass through, including its packaging or transfer carrier. Specify whether a small rapid-transfer chamber is also useful for frequent sample movement. |
| Instrument support | Provide equipment weight, mounting points, vibration sensitivity, heat output, and required working height. A specialized transfer station may need a purpose-built support rather than the chamber floor. |
| Room fit | Show doors, aisles, ceiling height, utilities, and maintenance clearances. Coordinate the glovebox with adjacent lab tables and workbenches before fixing the room layout. |
Map every utility and feedthrough
- List internal voltage, phase, amperage, outlet quantity, and plug type. Identify equipment that must remain powered continuously.
- Specify data connections such as USB or Ethernet. Note connector type, cable count, shielding needs, and whether a sealed bulkhead connection is required rather than a loose cable pass-through.
- Define vacuum requirements at the point of use. Include connection type, line size, pump location, target vacuum, and whether isolation or vent valves are needed.
- Identify all other services, including inert gas, process gas, cooling water, compressed air, sensor wiring, and exhaust. Ask which feedthrough options are available for the selected system.
- Show preferred feedthrough locations. Their position can affect reach, cable routing, service access, and usable chamber space.
- Send Labs USA a dimensioned equipment drawing, room plan, process description, gas choice, oxygen and moisture targets, antechamber load dimensions, equipment weights, vacuum diagram, electrical load list, data connections, feedthrough locations, and desired glove-port positions. You can also submit the room plan through the free laboratory layout and casework review.
Send those details through our contact form or call (801) 855-8560, and a Labs USA specialist will review them with you.
Common Questions
Can I choose the chamber width before selecting the internal equipment?
It is better to size the chamber after the internal equipment and workflow are defined. Overall equipment dimensions alone are not enough; allow room for operator reach, sample loading, cables, controls, cleaning, and maintenance.
What should I specify for oxygen and moisture performance?
Give separate O₂ and H₂O targets in ppm and state when they must be achieved. Also identify the process materials and expected transfer frequency so the manufacturer can review purifier capacity and recovery needs.
How should an instrument inside the glovebox receive power and USB data?
List each electrical and data connection, including voltage, amperage, plug or connector type, cable count, and preferred location. Ask the manufacturer to confirm compatible sealed feedthroughs and internal connection options.
What information is needed for an in-box vacuum process?
Describe the pump location, target vacuum, connection type, tubing size, valves, and the vessel being evacuated. Explain how the vessel will be sealed and removed without exposure to room air.
Need a glove box for your lab? Call (801) 855-8560 or request a quote. We supply and configure glove boxes for research, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
Compare ducted, ductless, biosafety and specialty hoods on our main laboratory fume hoods page.