Vulcanisation

Heat and pressure induced process whereby the long chains of rubber molecules become crossed linked by an additional chemical agent to form three dimensional elastic structures. First discovered by Charles Goodyear, the term was actually patented by Joseph Mackintosh. The reaction turns weak materials into strong ones, chemicals such as sulphur which accomplish this change are called vulcanising agents and crosslink existing molecular rubber chains. The chemical change is permanent, creating a Thermoset material. See our Blog on Vulcanisation.