Ansell MICROFLEX® MidKnight® MK-296 Black Nitrile Exam Gloves — Powder-Free, Fully Textured (100/Box)

MICROFLEX® MidKnight® MK-296 is a distinctive black nitrile, powder-free exam glove engineered for confident handling in day-to-day work where grip, durability, and a stain-masking color matter. Ansell specifies a fully textured surface and a non-foaming formulation to help maintain wet grip and control during routine tasks. This glove is commonly selected across industrial and clinical support workflows that require consistent single-use hand protection.

Cleanroom note: MK-296 is an exam/industrial glove (non-sterile). For ISO Class 5 / ISO Class 4 or EU Grade A/B sterile work, facilities typically specify sterile cleanroom gloves and validated gowning SOPs.

Specifications:

Manufacturer / brand: Ansell — MICROFLEX®
Series / part number: MidKnight® MK-296
Material: Nitrile
Color: Black
Glove design: Chlorinated, powder-free, fully textured
Cuff: Beaded
Length: 245 mm / 9.6 in (typical)
Freedom from holes: 1.5 AQL (Inspection Level I)
Palm thickness: 0.12 mm / 4.7 mil (typical)
Finger thickness: 0.14 mm / 5.5 mil (typical)
Manufacturing / QMS audit standard: ISO 13485:2003
Regulatory / standards compliance: ASTM D6319; Food Contact; US QSR/FDA 510(k) Medical Examination Grade
Country of origin: Malaysia
Packaging: 100 gloves per box; 10 boxes per case (1,000 gloves/case). Also available: 10 gloves per retail pack; 50 packs per case (500 gloves/case).
Storage: Keep out of direct sunlight; store cool and dry; keep away from ozone and ignition sources.

About the Manufacturer:

Ansell is a global PPE manufacturer with deep specialization in single-use and reusable hand protection. MICROFLEX® is Ansell’s long-established single-use glove portfolio, engineered for repeatable performance across industrial, laboratory, and healthcare environments.

SOSCleanroom + Ansell (MICROFLEX / BioClean / KleenGuard): SOSCleanroom continues to expand product depth across the Ansell family of brands to help customers standardize PPE selection, streamline documentation, and keep programs consistent across sites and shifts.

MK-296 Features:

Distinct black color: helps disguise stains while improving contrast for visibility of lighter materials.
Fully textured: supports a secure grip in dry and wet handling.
Non-foaming formulation: designed for easier handling in wet environments.
Powder-free, latex-free material choice: supports programs seeking to reduce powder-related contamination risk and avoid natural rubber latex exposure.
Chlorinated finish: supports smoother donning and handling feel (process-dependent).

MK-296 Benefits:

Grip you can standardize: texture + formulation help reduce “slip variability” across operators.
Professional appearance during work: black color masks oils/grease and keeps hands looking cleaner during tasks.
Procurement-friendly packaging: straightforward 100/box and 10/box-case format fits common stocking models.
Versatile placement: commonly used in laboratories, maintenance, receiving/QC areas, and clinical support workflows (SOP-dependent).

Common Applications:

Inspection, selecting, checking parts
General purpose automotive and maintenance handling
Laboratory sample taking and processing
Blending/compounding solids and liquids (process-dependent)
Standard, moderate-risk examination procedures (site-defined)

Best-Practice Use:

Size matters: select the right size to reduce tearing and fingertip fatigue while improving dexterity.
Clean donning technique: handle gloves by the cuff; avoid touching the exterior of the glove before work begins.
Change discipline: replace gloves after contamination events (tears, wet breakthrough, visible soiling) and per your SOP timing rules.
Doff safely: peel from the cuff, turn inside-out, and avoid snapping or flicking to minimize contamination spread.
Cleanroom workflows: in controlled environments, gloves are part of the gowning system — align glove selection and change-out rules to your ISO classification and contamination-control plan.

Program note: This content supports selection and handling education. Your facility is responsible for SOPs, training, qualification, and validation.

Link to Ansell Technical Datasheet (MK-296): Click Here

Need a glove mapping by ISO class or Annex 1 grade?

SOSCleanroom can help standardize glove selection across zones (support, buffer, aseptic core) and align documentation sets — including other Ansell offerings (MICROFLEX / BioClean) and complementary KleenGuard eye/face protection for integrated PPE programs.

Product page updated: Oct. 13, 2026 (SOS Technical Staff)

© 2026 SOS Supply. All rights reserved.

The Technical Vault By SOSCleanroom

Black Nitrile Exam Glove Powder-Free Fully Textured AQL 1.5 Non-Sterile 100 Gloves/Box

Ansell MICROFLEX® MidKnight® MK-296: black nitrile examination gloves for textured grip, durability, and controlled handling

Ansell MICROFLEX® MidKnight® MK-296 is a black, powder-free nitrile examination glove designed for routine handling, inspection, laboratory support, and general-purpose applications. Its fully textured exterior supports grip during wet and dry handling, while the black finish helps conceal visible stains from oils and other materials encountered during daily work.

Operations takeaway: MK-296 combines a fully textured nitrile exterior, 4.7 mil palm thickness, 5.5 mil finger thickness, and powder-free construction for applications requiring tactile control and dependable handling. Correct glove selection, inspection, and change-out procedures remain essential to maintaining barrier protection.

Cleanroom distinction: MK-296 is a non-sterile examination glove, not a sterile cleanroom-processed glove. Facilities operating ISO-classified cleanrooms should confirm suitability against their specific contamination-control requirements before use.

Operational context: where MK-296 fits in controlled handling

Many laboratory, maintenance, receiving, inspection, and manufacturing support tasks require gloves that provide a balance of barrier protection, grip, and dexterity. MK-296 is intended for applications where disposable nitrile gloves are appropriate and sterility is not required.

Handling and inspection: Fully textured surfaces support grip when selecting, checking, and manipulating components.
Wet environments: Textured nitrile construction provides additional friction when handling damp tools or containers.
Laboratory support: Appropriate for selected non-aseptic sample handling, weighing, dispensing, and routine processing tasks.
Maintenance operations: Black nitrile helps conceal visible staining from oils and other materials.
Consistent PPE issuance: Standard dispenser and case configurations simplify glove distribution across departments.

Control point: Black gloves may conceal visible contamination. Replace gloves according to defined task boundaries and change-out procedures rather than relying on appearance alone.

Specifications (SKU controls for RFQs, SOPs, and receiving)

Product: Ansell MICROFLEX® MidKnight® MK-296
Product type: Disposable examination / industrial glove
Material: Nitrile
Color: Black
Powder: Powder-free
Processing: Chlorinated
Exterior: Fully textured
Cuff: Beaded
Sterility: Non-sterile
Freedom from holes: AQL 1.5 (Inspection Level I)
Length: 245 mm / 9.6 inches (typical)
Palm thickness: 0.12 mm / 4.7 mil (typical)
Finger thickness: 0.14 mm / 5.5 mil (typical)
Manufacturing quality-system reference: ISO 13485:2003 (as listed in the referenced product documentation)
Published regulatory references: ASTM D6319; food-contact suitability; U.S. FDA medical examination glove requirements
Country of origin: Malaysia
Packaging: 100 gloves/box; 10 boxes/case; 1,000 gloves/case
Additional configuration: 10-pack retail option referenced in product documentation
Storage: Cool, dry conditions; protect from direct sunlight, ozone, and ignition sources

Documentation rule: Always confirm the current manufacturer Product Data Sheet, labeling, and applicable regulatory documentation when establishing purchasing specifications or qualifying gloves for controlled applications.

Performance characteristics (manufacturer-typical values)

Palm thickness: 0.12 mm / 4.7 mil
Finger thickness: 0.14 mm / 5.5 mil
Glove length: 245 mm / 9.6 inches
Freedom-from-holes quality level: AQL 1.5 (Inspection Level I)
Exterior finish: Fully textured
Material: Nitrile
Processing: Chlorinated, powder-free
Cuff design: Beaded
Sterility: Non-sterile

Performance interpretation: Palm and finger thickness help establish expectations for handling feel and durability. AQL describes a sampling-based inspection level for barrier defects and does not guarantee that every glove is free of defects.

What MK-296 is designed to do (typical use cases)

General-purpose handling and component inspection
Sorting, selecting, and checking parts
Automotive aftermarket and light maintenance applications
Routine laboratory support and sample handling
Weighing and dispensing materials in non-aseptic workflows
Receiving, quality control, and general production support
Standard non-sterile examination procedures where appropriate
Selected food-contact applications where product documentation and facility requirements permit use

Grip-focused construction: The fully textured nitrile surface supports handling where smooth or damp components make grip consistency important.

Materials and construction: practical implications

Nitrile material: Provides a synthetic alternative to natural rubber latex gloves for facilities seeking to reduce natural rubber latex exposure.
Powder-free construction: Eliminates glove powder as a source of particulate transfer.
Chlorinated processing: Supports the glove's finished surface characteristics and handling properties.
Fully textured exterior: Provides additional friction during wet and dry handling.
Beaded cuff: Reinforces the cuff edge and assists with donning.
Black coloration: Helps conceal visible staining and provides contrast against lighter materials.
Non-sterile configuration: Intended for tasks where sterile examination or sterile cleanroom gloves are not required.

Material consideration: Nitrile does not provide universal chemical resistance. Confirm chemical compatibility and exposure limitations using the manufacturer's applicable testing and product information.

Gowning and contamination control (ISO-aligned practices)

ISO 14644 cleanroom operations depend on documented personnel practices, gowning procedures, cleaning controls, and material-transfer discipline. Gloves become potential contamination-transfer surfaces when operators contact doors, carts, tools, equipment, and product-adjacent materials.

Controlled introduction: Introduce gloves and packaging according to applicable facility material-transfer procedures.
Clean hands before donning: Follow approved hand hygiene and gowning procedures.
Donning sequence: Use the facility-approved order for garments and gloves to reduce unnecessary contact with glove exteriors.
Contact discipline: Avoid touching faces, hoods, phones, keyboards, and unrelated surfaces with gloves used for controlled work.
Change-out triggers: Replace gloves after contamination, damage, inappropriate contact, or other SOP-defined conditions.

Cleanroom qualification: MK-296 is a non-sterile examination glove and is not automatically qualified for ISO-classified cleanrooms. Facilities requiring controlled particle, residue, or sterile performance should select and qualify gloves appropriate to their process.

Sterile manufacturing considerations (EU GMP Annex 1)

EU GMP Annex 1 establishes contamination-control expectations for sterile medicinal product manufacturing, including gowning practices, personnel behavior, and glove requirements appropriate to the classified environment.

Powder control: Non-powdered gloves help avoid glove powder as a contamination source.
Sterility requirements: Grade A/B aseptic manufacturing operations require appropriate sterile gowning systems, including sterile gloves.
Gowning discipline: Controlled donning practices help prevent contamination before work begins.
Monitoring and qualification: Glove monitoring and personnel qualification should follow the facility's contamination-control strategy and applicable regulatory requirements.

Application boundary: MK-296 is non-sterile and should not replace qualified sterile gloves required for aseptic processing. EU GMP Annex 1 provides a relevant international benchmark but is not automatically a U.S. regulatory requirement.

Best-practice use (reduce glove-borne contamination and handling errors)

Confirm task suitability: Verify that the glove's material, construction, and barrier characteristics meet the application's requirements.
Select the correct size: Proper fit supports dexterity and helps reduce unnecessary stretching or tearing.
Control donning: Begin with clean, dry hands and handle the glove primarily by the cuff.
Inspect before use: Replace gloves with visible defects, damage, or signs of deterioration.
Avoid uncontrolled contact: Treat contact with non-controlled surfaces as a potential contamination event under the facility's procedures.
Separate incompatible tasks: Change gloves when moving between dirty handling, maintenance work, and cleaner product-adjacent activities.
Control glove wetting: Confirm compatibility before exposing gloves to alcohols, disinfectants, or process chemicals.
Follow storage guidance: Protect gloves from sunlight, excessive heat, ozone, and other conditions that may affect material performance.
Dispose correctly: Use approved removal and waste-handling procedures after completing the task.

Method standardization tip: Establish consistent glove selection, donning, inspection, change-out, and disposal procedures. Clearly defined practices reduce operator variability and unnecessary contamination transfer.

Misuse controls & when not to use MK-296

If sterile gloves are required: MK-296 is non-sterile and should not replace sterile examination or aseptic-processing gloves.
If ISO cleanroom cleanliness is critical: Verify applicable particle, ionic, residue, packaging, and material requirements before qualification.
If chemical resistance is required: Confirm manufacturer chemical compatibility data for the specific substance, concentration, and exposure duration.
If extended coverage is required: Select appropriately specified gloves with longer cuffs or additional protective properties.
If gloves become damaged: Replace immediately rather than continuing use based on visual appearance.
If contamination is suspected: Do not assume a black glove is clean because stains are difficult to see.
If glove disinfection is part of the procedure: Confirm chemical compatibility and follow the facility's validated cleaning or disinfection practices.

Selection rule: Powder-free construction and examination-glove classification do not automatically establish suitability for sterile processing, ISO-classified cleanrooms, or every chemical-handling application.

Packaging, storage, and procurement consistency

Standard box: 100 gloves
Standard case: 10 boxes / 1,000 gloves
Additional packaging: 10-pack retail configuration referenced in product information
Storage environment: Cool, dry conditions
Environmental protection: Avoid direct sunlight, excessive heat, ozone, and ignition sources
Product documentation: Manufacturer technical data sheet and applicable product labeling
Receiving controls: Confirm product identification, size, case configuration, and packaging condition at receipt

Procurement takeaway: Standardizing by exact SKU, glove size, and case quantity helps maintain consistent PPE issuance and reduces the risk of unintended substitutions.

Alternative glove selection (when requirements change)

Powder-free black nitrile examination gloves: Compare thickness, texture, fit, AQL, and packaging when evaluating alternatives.
Thinner nitrile examination gloves: Consider where increased tactile sensitivity is a priority and the resulting durability characteristics meet task requirements.
Thicker nitrile examination gloves: Consider where additional material thickness is necessary for the intended handling application.
Cleanroom-processed nitrile gloves: Select where documented particle, extractable, packaging, or ISO-environment requirements apply.
Sterile cleanroom gloves: Select for aseptic applications requiring sterile glove systems and appropriate gowning qualification.

Selection principle: Compare gloves using documented performance requirements rather than color alone. Material construction, thickness, barrier performance, and application-specific qualifications should guide selection.

Where MK-296 fits in a controlled program

MK-296 is typically best suited for non-sterile support areas, maintenance, receiving, quality control, inspection, and general laboratory workflows where a textured nitrile examination glove meets the task's requirements. Facilities managing multiple cleanliness zones should establish glove selection and change-out procedures appropriate to each zone.

Program limitation: MK-296 should not be treated as a qualified sterile cleanroom glove without supporting documentation. Higher-control environments may require gloves with documented cleanroom processing, sterility, and contamination performance.

Why buy Ansell MICROFLEX® MidKnight® from SOSCleanroom

Product selection support: SOSCleanroom helps customers identify appropriate glove materials, configurations, and application requirements.
Configuration consistency: Purchasing by exact SKU, size, and case quantity helps reduce unintended substitutions across departments and facilities.
Documentation support: We help customers locate relevant manufacturer product information for purchasing and quality-system review.
One-cart procurement: Combine Ansell gloves with cleanroom wipers, swabs, cleaning solutions, and other facility consumables for routine operational requirements.

Manufacturer documentation (authoritative references)

SOSCleanroom MK-296 product page: Click Here
Ansell MICROFLEX® MidKnight® technical data sheet: Click Here
ISO 14644-1 cleanroom classification: Click Here
ISO 14644-5 cleanroom operations: Click Here
EU GMP Annex 1: Click Here

If you have any questions please email us at Sales@SOSsupply.com or give us a call at (214)340-8574. OR check out the AI ChatBot powered by SOSCleanroom data libraries - give it a try! THIS IS NEW FOR 2026! © 2026 SOSCleanroom. All rights reserved.

Ansell MK-296 Microflex MidKnight Nitrile Gloves