Vulcanization

Have you ever noticed how some rubber things like tires and shoes do not break easily, while others like a rubber band easily snap or break? It's because of a special process called vulcanization.

Vulcanization is like making a superhero out of rubber. Just like how a superhero is made stronger and better to fight villains, rubber is made stronger and better to resist breaking, heat, and weather damage.

So, how is this superhero rubber made? It starts with natural rubber, which comes from a tree. Natural rubber is very stretchy and sticky, making it perfect for things like rubber bands or bottle stoppers. But, it is not strong enough for things like car tires or shoe soles.

That's where vulcanization comes in. Scientists add some special ingredients to the natural rubber, like sulfur and accelerators. They mix these ingredients with the rubber and heat them up under pressure. This creates a chemical reaction that makes the rubber stronger and more durable.

When the rubber is vulcanized, it can resist tearing, cracking, and weather damage. It is also more flexible and can handle high temperatures (like on a hot summer day). This makes it ideal for making things like tires, shoe soles, and hoses that need to withstand a lot of wear and tear.

In short, vulcanization is like turning regular rubber into a superhero rubber that can fight against breaking, heat, and weather damage.