1. a chemical process in which rubber is treated with sulfur and heat to make it stronger, more elastic, and more durable
Usage: technical; chemistry

Examples

• The vulcanization process transforms raw rubber into a useful material for tires.
• Charles Goodyear discovered vulcanization in 1839, revolutionizing the rubber industry.
• Without vulcanization, rubber products would become sticky in heat and brittle in cold.
• The factory uses high temperatures during vulcanization to create durable rubber gaskets.
• Modern tire manufacturing relies heavily on the vulcanization of rubber compounds.
• The vulcanization process typically takes several hours at elevated temperatures.