WHAT IS VULCANIZATION

Vulcanisation is a process for

hardening rubber by treating it with
sulphur compounds.
UNVULCANISED RUBBER

C=C C=C

C=C

C=C

C=C
 PROCESS
• Heat natural rubber with sulfur
• Dip natural rubber in a solution of sulphur
monochloride in methylbenzene (toulena)
or disulphur dichloride
• Sulphur atoms cross-link with the rubber
molecules through strong covalent bonds
• Lessen the ability of the rubber molecule
chains from slipping on top of one another
and from becoming loose
 TREATING WITH SULPHUR COMPOUNDS
Example: Disulphur dichloride
S-S
S-S

C=C C=C

C=C S-S

C=C
S-S
S-S
C=C
VULCANISED RUBBER
C C
I I
S S
I I
S S
I I
C C

C
I
S
I C
C
S I
I
I S
S
C I
I
S S
I I
C C
UNVULCANISED RUBBER
VULCANISED RUBBER
Why vulcanised rubber is more elastic
compared to unvulcanised rubber?

The cross-link sulphur in the rubber

polymers prevent the rubber from
sliding onto each other
• Vulcanized rubber is more:
–Stronger
–Tougher
–Heat resistant
–elastic
 PRODUCT
• Vulcanized rubber
• Examples: tyres, shoe soles, gloves,
electrical insulator, rubber hose
 Addition of acid
such as formic acid
LATEX
Coagulation
•Softer
• less elastic
•non-heat resistant UNVULCANISED
RUBBER

vulcanization

VULCANISED RUBBER
Addition of sulphur
to natural rubber
•Stronger and tougher will cross-link the
•More elastic rubber molecules
•Heat resistant
 Vulcanised Properties Unvulcanised
natural rubber natural rubber

More elasticity elasticity Less elasticity

High Melting point Low

More resistance Resistance to Less resistance

heat
Less because of Presence of High
the formation double bond
of the cross-
linked sulphur
High Strength and Low
hardness