The Technical Vault | By SOSCleanroom | Reviewed November 6, 2026
CT International NWCP Series: What Class 10 / ISO 4 Cleanroom Gloves Actually Protect Against
DI-water washing, particulate control, ionic residues, anti-static claims, glove changes and qualification criteria for critical handling.
Technical takeaway: The NWCP Series is a non-sterile, DI-water-washed, Class 10 / ISO 4-compatible nitrile glove. Its selection value lies in a combination of cleanroom-oriented processing, extended cuff coverage and controlled packaging. However, room-class compatibility is not a numerical particle certificate, an ESD system qualification or proof of sterility. Approve it against your actual contamination and safety specifications.
1. Class 10 / ISO 4: understanding the designation
CT International describes NWCP as compatible with Class 10 / ISO 4 cleanroom operations. ISO 14644-1 classifies airborne particle concentrations in cleanrooms; it does not award an ISO class to a glove or guarantee that every glove will meet every customer's surface-cleanliness limit. The legacy Federal Standard 209E “Class 10” designation is commonly used alongside ISO Class 4 for approximate cleanroom-class context.
For glove qualification, evaluate contamination transferred during actual handling: released particles, ionic and nonvolatile residues, microbial requirements where applicable, and the effect of glove-to-part contact. A glove acceptable for one ISO 4 workstation may still require additional evidence before use on a highly sensitive optical coating, wafer, implant or pharmaceutical product-contact surface.
2. What DI-water washing contributes—and what it does not establish
NWCP is specifically identified as DI (deionized)-water washed. DI washing is a clean-processing step intended to remove readily transferable process residues from the glove surface. That can be valuable when unwashed or less-controlled gloves create particle and extractable background in precision processes.
Washing alone does not prove a specific particle count or ion concentration. Those are separate measured attributes. When qualifying the glove, ask for the applicable test method, extraction conditions, particle-size range, acceptance limits, sampling frequency and lot-specific results.
Engineering distinction: “DI-water washed” describes a process. “Low particle count” and “low ionic extractables” are performance claims that require numerical evidence. Do not substitute one for the other during supplier qualification.
3. Where contamination enters through gloves
- Particle transfer: Handling, abrasion and contact with packaging or fixtures can move loose contamination onto critical parts.
- Extractables and nonvolatile residue: A material may look visibly clean yet leave a thin residue after contact or after exposure to a process liquid.
- Ionic contamination: For electronics, optics and other sensitive surfaces, sodium, chloride and other ions may matter independently from airborne cleanliness.
- Contact-mediated contamination: Touching phones, carts, door hardware, hair, masks or uncontrolled equipment can contaminate an otherwise correctly qualified glove.
- Loss of barrier integrity: Punctures, tears, excessive stretch or chemical degradation can undermine both operator protection and process control.
4. NWCP mechanical, cleanliness and packaging data
| Specification | CT International-published value or claim |
|---|
| Class / sterility | Class 10 / ISO 4 compatible; non-sterile |
| Material / finish | 100% nitrile; white; powder-free; textured fingertips; ambidextrous |
| Length / cuff | 12 in. (±0.5 in.); tapered beaded cuff |
| Thickness | 5.0 mil (±1 mil), nominal manufacturer listing |
| Tensile / elongation* | 2,072 psi / 14 MPa; 500% |
| ESD-related property | “Anti-static” listed; no numerical resistance criterion in current public product overview |
| Cleanliness testing | Particle and extractable testing referenced under legacy IES-RP-CC-005.2; published public page does not provide lot-specific results |
| Integrity / sampling | CTI references ASTM D3578-05, leak testing and sampling under MIL-STD-105E; no numeric hole AQL is stated on its NWCP webpage |
| Pack-out | 100 gloves per double-bagged pack; 10 packs / 1,000 gloves per case |
| Size options | NWCP201 Small; NWCP202 Medium; NWCP203 Large; NWCP204 X-Large; NWCP205 XX-Large |
*CT International's current NWCP web listing gives 14 MPa and 500%. A separate CTI-branded technical sheet available through a distributor lists 22 MPa and 700% and a different revision of the glove-testing practice. Until CTI clarifies the applicable revision, obtain the current signed technical data sheet/lot certificate rather than representing the alternate figures as interchangeable.
5. Anti-static is not the same as a documented ESD-system rating
CT International labels NWCP anti-static. That is useful screening information for electronics and semiconductor work, but the product listing does not provide a numerical surface/volume resistance range, charge-decay time or test setup. Electrical behavior can also change with humidity, glove condition and the overall grounding system.
For an ANSI/ESD S20.20-controlled process, qualify the gloves with the facility's approved measurements and requirements. The gloves do not replace validated footwear, floors, wrist straps or other relevant personnel-grounding controls.
6. Cleanroom gowning and double-bag transfer procedure
- Confirm the correct size and intact packaging: Check the required NWCP size, case/inner-pack label and visible bag condition before staging.
- Follow the site-defined transfer boundary: Remove or decontaminate outer packaging only as specified in the gowning/transfer SOP. Double bagging is not a sterile barrier claim.
- Perform required hand hygiene and garment donning: Keep hands dry and follow the approved gowning sequence before opening the clean inner presentation.
- Minimize contact with glove exteriors: Don gloves without contacting uncontrolled benches, packaging exteriors or personal items.
- Maintain a secure sleeve interface: Overlap glove cuffs with cleanroom-garment sleeves as required by the garment system and motion study; inspect for exposed wrist areas.
- Replace at defined triggers: Change after tears, suspected contamination, transfer between incompatible tasks, unacceptable residue exposure or the site-approved time limit.
7. Which cleanroom applications fit—and which need another glove?
| Process | Qualification question |
|---|
| Semiconductor / microelectronics assembly | Do ionic residues, particles and in-use ESD measurements satisfy wafer/tool contact limits? Are sulfur/accelerator restrictions documented? |
| Optics / photonics / precision parts | Has glove-to-surface contact been assessed for marks, organics and residues? Does the process require a no-touch handling method? |
| Non-sterile pharmaceutical / device work | Are cleanliness, bioburden and documentation adequate for the validated non-aseptic activity? |
| Aseptic sterile compounding / processing | Not a direct substitute: NWCP is non-sterile. Use a suitable sterile glove and approved aseptic program where sterility is required. |
| Chemical or hazardous-drug handling | Obtain chemical-specific permeation/degradation data; no chemotherapy-drug qualification is established by the NWCP product-page claims. |
8. NWCP versus NCP and other ISO 4 nitrile glove options
Selecting a glove based on nominal ISO compatibility alone can obscure material-chemistry, cleanliness and handling differences. The table distinguishes what is actually supported by the published product information.
| Selection factor | CTI NWCP | CTI NCP | Ansell Nitrilite 93-401 |
|---|
| Advertised cleanroom class | Class 10 / ISO 4 | Class 100 / ISO 5 | Class 10 / ISO 4 |
| Sterility | Non-sterile | Non-sterile | Non-sterile |
| Key published distinction | DI-water washed; anti-static designation | Class 100 / ISO 5; anti-static designation | Accelerator-free; published cleanroom metrics |
| Accelerator-free formulation? | Not established in reviewed CTI listing | Not established in reviewed CTI listing | Yes, manufacturer-published |
| SOSCleanroom listing | NWCP product | NCP product | 93-401 product |
When comparing NWCP with HandPRO 9300: Both are marketed for Class 10 / ISO 4 use and are 12-inch, non-sterile nitrile gloves. Hourglass specifically publishes accelerator-free and sulfur-free formulation claims and quantitative cleanliness specifications for HandPRO 9300. Those particular claims are not established by the reviewed public NWCP listing. Accordingly, NWCP should not be marketed as chemically identical or automatically interchangeable with HandPRO 9300. Confirm the critical attributes with CTI before approving a substitution.
9. Incoming qualification checklist for QA, engineering and purchasing
Before creating an approved-material entry or making a glove substitution, obtain or confirm the following:
- Correct product identity: NWCP201–NWCP205 size, current CTI revision, case format and documented supply-chain traceability.
- Particle data: Defined particle-size bins, extraction/agitation method, results and acceptance limits appropriate to the process.
- Extractables data: Relevant ions, nonvolatile residue and any process-specific compounds or contact-transfer tests.
- Barrier / dimensional data: Current leak testing, any available hole AQL, tensile/elongation limits and lot sampling plan.
- Chemical and material compatibility: Chemical-specific permeation results and any accelerator-, sulfur- or silicone-related restrictions.
- ESD evidence where required: Verified electrical test method, operating conditions and acceptance ranges.
- Change control: Written substitution approval, revised SOP or material specification, lot record and operator training as needed.
10. Frequently asked technical questions
Are NWCP gloves sterile?
No. NWCP is sold as a non-sterile cleanroom glove. Class 10 / ISO 4 compatibility does not mean sterile.
Does a Class 10 designation guarantee an exact particle count on each glove?
No. ISO 14644-1 concerns cleanroom airborne particle classification. For glove-specific particle acceptance, review the manufacturer test method, numerical criteria and applicable lot results.
Are CTI NWCP gloves accelerator-free or sulfur-free?
Those properties are not established by CTI's reviewed public NWCP page. If your process prohibits particular vulcanization accelerators or sulfur-containing chemistry, request written formulation confirmation rather than assuming absence.
Can NWCP replace CTI NCP or HandPRO 9300 without requalification?
Not automatically. NWCP and NCP have different published cleanroom designations; HandPRO 9300 publishes additional formulation and cleanliness claims. Compare critical attributes and follow formal change control.
Are NWCP gloves certified for ESD work or chemotherapy drug exposure?
The manufacturer describes NWCP as anti-static but does not show a numerical ESD-system specification on the reviewed product page. Chemotherapy-drug permeation performance is likewise not established there. Obtain application-specific data before assigning either role.
Further reading and SOSCleanroom product selection
SOSCleanroom technical support
Need help comparing Class 10 glove options or requesting current CTI technical documentation? Email Sales@SOSsupply.com or call 800-443-7101.
Technical note: This educational resource distinguishes published manufacturer claims from qualification guidance. Published values can change. Always verify the current CT International specification, applicable lot certificates, facility SOPs and relevant safety/regulatory requirements before approving a glove for a particular process.
