Absorbent elastomeric articles

An elastomeric material comprises in order, a first elastomeric layer, a swellable, absorbant or hydrophilic layer, a protective layer and optionally a second elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer(s) may comprises a natural rubber latex, the swellable layer may comprise superabsorbent (eg. lightly cross-linked polyacrylates) particles dispersed in a binder eg. hydroxyl substituted acrylates or methacrylates or cellulose ethers. The protective layer may be hydrophobic and is intended to prevent premature wetting of the absorbent layer during manufacture. The protective layer may comprise a polyurethane, a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer or copolymers of vinylacetate/vinylalcohol with vinyl butyral or butyl maleate-co-isobomyl acrylate. The elastomeric material is particularly used for making surgical gloves, wherein the absorbent layer serves as sealing barrier if the glove is breached and by swelling, provides a visible indication of said breach. Gloves are produced by sequentially dipping the above layers onto a former, with the absorbent and protective layers being provided as non-aqueous solutions or dispersions.