"Vulcanization" is named after the original natural rubber products were cross-linked with sulfur as a cross-linking agent. With the development of the rubber industry, a variety of non-sulfur cross-linking agents can now be used for cross-linking. Therefore, the more scientific meaning of vulcanization should be "cross-linking" or "bridging", which is a process in which linear polymers form network polymers through cross-linking.
The process of connecting linear or branched polymer chains into network-like or body-shaped polymers through ***valent bonds. Divided into chemical cross-linking and physical cross-linking. Chemical cross-linking is generally achieved through condensation polymerization and addition polymerization reactions, such as vulcanization of rubber, curing of unsaturated polyester resin, etc.; physical cross-linking uses radiation such as light and heat to cross-link linear polymers. After linear polymers are moderately cross-linked, their mechanical strength, elasticity, dimensional stability, solvent resistance, etc. are all improved. Cross-linking is often used to modify polymers.