vulcanize

v. treat crude rubber with sulphur and expose it to high temperatures to increase its durability and elasticity (also vulcanise)

Vulcanization refers to a specific curing process of rubber involving high heat and the addition of sulfur. It is a chemical process in which polymer molecules are linked to other polymer molecules by atomic bridges composed of sulfur atoms. The end result is that the springy rubber molecules become cross-linked to a greater or lesser extent. This makes the bulk material harder, much more durable and also more resistant to chemical attack. It also makes the surface of the material smoother and prevents it from sticking to metal or plastic chemical catalysts.
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Verb
1. undergo vulcanization; "vulcanize rubber"
(synonym) vulcanise
(hypernym) change
(derivation) vulcanization, vulcanisation
2. subject to vulcanization; "vulcanized rubber"
(synonym) vulcanise
(hypernym) process, treat
(derivation) vulcanization, vulcanisation

v. vulcanize, treat crude rubber with sulphur and expose it to high temperatures to increase its durability and elasticity

(v. t.)
To change the properties of, as caoutchouc, or India rubber, by the process of vulcanization.