What is a glovebox?
A glovebox is a sealed work enclosure in which you work under a controlled protective-gas atmosphere – usually argon or nitrogen. Built-in gloves let you reach into the box from the outside without opening the atmosphere. This allows air- and moisture-sensitive materials to be handled safely while oxygen and moisture are kept at very low levels – often below 1 ppm.
Design of a glovebox
- Chamber: gas-tight stainless-steel body with a viewing window.
- Gloves: glove ports set into the front (typically 2 to 8), operable from one or both sides.
- Antechamber: a cylinder with two doors used to move material in and out without losing the box atmosphere – often a large main plus a mini antechamber.
- Gas purification: a loop of molecular sieve (binds water) and copper catalyst (binds oxygen) that continuously cleans the atmosphere and is regenerated periodically.
- Control & feedthroughs: regulation of pressure and purity, plus sealed feedthroughs for cables, gases and media.
How does the inert-gas atmosphere work?
The box is purged with an inert gas and run at a slight overpressure. The gas purification circulates the atmosphere and continuously removes oxygen and moisture. This keeps the working environment permanently dry and oxygen-free – the prerequisite for reproducible work with reactive substances.
What is a glovebox used for?
Wherever materials must not come into contact with air – for example in battery research (lithium, electrolytes), catalysis and organometallic chemistry, OLED and thin-film materials, or pharmaceutical and materials research.
New or used?
Because the core technology is long-lived, used, professionally refurbished gloveboxes are an economical alternative to an expensive new unit. More on this: Glovebox new or used?, Buy a used MBraun glovebox, buy or rent a glovebox? and the guide to buying used. For deeper technical explanations, see the KeT guide “What is a glovebox?”.
For an overview of currently available units, see our range.