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Vulcanization
What is vulcanization?
Vulcanization is the formation of cross-links between the individual polymer chains.
polymer chains
of the rubber when heat is applied. The manufactured
nature
– or
synthetic rubber
is initially only available as an uncrosslinked
thermoplastic
(plastic mass). The rubber gains its rubber-like properties through vulcanization.
During the first vulcanizations(Charles Goodyear, 1839), sulphur chains were formed as cross-links (sulphur vulcanization). Peroxides and metal oxides (MgO, ZnO, PbO) are now also used.