[f. next. Hence F. vulcanisation (also volc-).] The method or process of treating crude india-rubber with sulphur and subjecting it to intense heat, by means of which it is rendered more durable and made adaptable for various purposes.
The history of the process is related in detail in Ure’s Dict. Arts, etc. (ed. 5; 1860) I. 589–92.
1846. Hancock, Patent Specif., No. 11135. 2. Without the process of vulcanization. Ibid. (1857), Pers. Narr. India Rubber Manuf., 107. It appeared desirable to give the material a more definite name…; and whilst discussing the subject amongst my friends, Mr. Brockedon proposed the term ‘Vulcanization.’
1869. Eng. Mech., 24 Dec., 370/2. The mineral ingredients … are necessarily subject to the action of the sulphur employed to effect the vulcanisation.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., II. 949. Carbon bisulphide is used to soften india-rubber so as to allow of its penetration by sulphur in the carrying out of what is known as vulcanisation.
