vulcanization

(noun)

A process by which rubber is hardened using heat and sulfur.

Related Terms

Examples of vulcanization in the following topics:

  • Sulfur Compounds

    • Because of the heat and sulfur, the process was named vulcanization, after the Roman god of the forge and volcanism.

  • Properties of Macromolecules

    • If instead, the chains of rubber molecules are slightly cross-linked by sulfur atoms, a process called vulcanization which was discovered by Charles Goodyear in 1839, the desirable elastomeric properties of rubber are substantially improved.