The Science of Cryogenic Safety: Why Ordinary Gloves Don’t Cut It
Handling cryogenic liquids like liquid nitrogen is no ordinary task. At -196°C, even a drop of liquid nitrogen can cause instant frostbite, and other cryogens including dry ice, liquid helium, and liquid oxygen post similar dangers.
Standard PPE wont cut it and this is where CryoSkin® gloves and aprons make the difference.
Designed and tested for extreme cold, while maintaining grip, dexterity and insulation, Cryoskin provides reliable protection that ordinary gloves simply cannot.
Why Cryogenic Work is Different
Cryogenic work is far more demanding than freezer or cold-room tasks.
Hazards include:
- Instant Cold Burns - Contact with Liquid Nitrogen or dry ice freezes skin in seconds.
- Splash Risk - Transfers can cause spills that soak clothing or gloves.
- Permeation Hazards - Some standard materials become brittle and lose strength at extreme cold.
- Secondary Hazards - Oxygen condensation and asphyxiation risks demand total focus on safety.
Standard gloves, whether leather or thermal-lined, are not specifically designed for these conditions. They can absorb liquid nitrogen and hold it against the skin, causing increased risk, rather than protection.
Where Ordinary Gloves Fail
Ordinary work gloves may protect against abrasion or moderate cold, but they fail in three keyways when faced with cryogens:
- Absorption - Leather or fabric traps liquid nitrogen.
- Insulation Breakdown - Freezer gloves stiffen and lose protection below -100°C.
- Dexterity Loss - Bulky or frozen gloves make handling cylinders or samples unsafe.
Cryogenic protection requires a specialist design that insulates, resists soaking, and maintains dexterity.
How Cryoskin® was designed to solve these problems
Elliotts developed Cryoskin to meet the extreme demands of cryogenic safety. Improved through years of end-user feedback and in-house testing, the new Cryoskin range is built for one purpose: to protect workers in the coldest environments on earth.
Key features include:
- Multi-layer insulation for reliable cold protection
- Water-resistant outer shell to repel liquid nitrogen
- Ergonomic design for grip and dexterity
- Multiple glove lengths plus aprons for full coverage
- Tested and certified to international standards
Industrial and Scientific Versions
To meet the needs of different workplaces, Cryoskin® gloves have been innovatively designed in two specialised versions:
- Cryoskin Industrial - Designed for rugged environments such as gas production and transport, manufacturing, and industrial maintenance. These gloves deliver maximum durability and splash protection where cryogens are used daily in high abrasive applications.
- Cryoskin Scientific - Tailored for laboratory and medical use, where dexterity and precision are essential. Lightweight and flexible, these gloves provide excellent control for researchers, technicians, and clinicians handling delicate samples or instruments.
By offering both Industrial and Scientific options, Cryoskin ensures every sector has the right balance of protection, comfort, and performance.
What’s the Cost of Poor Protection?
Relying on ordinary gloves for quick cryogenic tasks is a dangerous misconception. One accident can cause serious injury, permanent damage, downtime, and costly claims. In safety-critical industries, inadequate PPE is an unnecessary risk.
Why Cryoskin is the Smart Choice.
Cryoskin® has been designed from the ground up to give workers confidence when handling the coldest materials on earth. Like all Elliotts products, every feature has been engineered with safety, comfort, and reliability in mind:
- Proven durability for demanding high-use environments
- Comprehensive protection with gloves and aprons to cover hands, arms, and torso
- Trusted expertise from Elliotts, an Australian leader in certified PPE
- Local support with fast distribution and dedicated technical advice
Who Needs Cryogenic Protection?
Cryoskin is trusted in:
- Laboratories & Universities - used in sample handling & cryo-storage
- Medical & Healthcare - used in cryosurgery & fertility clinics.
- Food & Beverage - used in Liquid Nitrogen freezing & gastronomy.
- Industrial & Manufacturing - used in semiconductors, aerospace & metal treatment.
Wherever cryogens are used, Cryoskin is essential.
Leading the Standard in Safety
At Elliotts, our mission is Care Without Compromise. The Cryoskin® range reflects this commitment, combining safety, comfort, and performance in every glove and apron.
When workers face the coldest hazards on earth, ordinary gloves won’t do. Only certified cryogenic PPE like Cryoskin® can deliver the protection they deserve.
Ready to upgrade your cryogenic protection? Download the new Cryoskin® brochure or contact us today.