What is vulcanization

The process of vulcanization was discovered by Charles Good Year in 1839. He found that when natural rubber is heated with sulphur, its tensile strength, elasticity and resistance to swelling enhances tremendously. This process is called vulcanization. Vulcanization process brings stiffening of the rubber by anchoring and restricting the intermolecular movement of rubber chains. Tensile strength enhances, resilience enhances, and becomes more resistant to water, organic sol- vents, light and air.