Vulcanization
the act or process of vulcanizing, or of treating caoutchouc or india-rubber with some form of sulphur, to effect certain changes in its properties; as to render it insensible to atmospheric changes, increase its durability, and adapt it for various purposes in the arts. This was originally effected by dipping the rubber in melted sulphur and heating it to nearly 300°. Several other methods have been employed. The substance thus formed is elastic at all temperatures, cannot be dissolved by the ordinary solvents, and resists the effects of heat within a considerable range of temperature. Vulcanized india-rubber is largely used for many useful purposes, as for water-proofing cl cloth, for boots, shoes, mats, toys, belting, buffers, wheel-tires, washers, valves, pipes, firehose, medical and surgical appliances, etc.