vulcanize

/'vʌlkənaiz/ Cách viết khác : (vulcanise) /'vʌlkənaiz/

Thân thiện

The worker vulcanizes the rubber sheet in the factory.

Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To treat (rubber or a similar material) with sulfur or other substances, and apply heat, to give it greater strength, elasticity, and durability. This process is called vulcanization.
2. Verb (intransitive):
   • (Of rubber or a similar material) to undergo the chemical process of vulcanization.

Usage

• Transitive verb: The action is performed on an object (the rubber).
  • The factory will vulcanize the raw rubber to make tires.
• Intransitive verb: The subject (the rubber) itself undergoes the process.
  • The rubber compound needs to vulcanize for 30 minutes at 150°C.

Examples

• Transitive use:
  • Charles Goodyear discovered how to vulcanize natural rubber.
  • This machine is used to vulcanize the conveyor belts.
• Intransitive use:
  • The material must vulcanize completely to achieve its final properties.
  • If the rubber does not vulcanize properly, it will remain sticky and weak.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Industrial Context: The term is almost exclusively used in industrial, manufacturing, and materials science contexts related to polymers, especially rubber.
  • The new additive helps the silicone vulcanize at room temperature.
• Figurative Use (Rare): Occasionally used metaphorically to mean making something tougher or more resilient.
  • The hardships of his youth vulcanized his character, making him incredibly resilient.

Variants and Related Words

• Vulcanization (n): The process or result of vulcanizing.
  • The vulcanization of rubber was a pivotal invention for the automotive industry.
• Vulcanized (adj): Describes material that has undergone vulcanization.
  • The soles are made of vulcanized rubber for extra durability.
• Vulcanizer (n): A person who vulcanizes, or a machine used for vulcanizing.
  • The technician operated the vulcanizer to repair the hose.

Synonyms

• Cure (in polymer/plastic contexts): To harden or set a material through a chemical process, often involving heat.
  • The resin needs to cure for 24 hours. (Note: "Cure" is a broader term; "vulcanize" is specific to sulfur-based treatment of rubber.)
• Harden (general): To make or become hard. (This is a less specific, more general synonym for the result of the process.)

Antonyms

• Devulcanize (v): To reverse or break down the vulcanization process.
  • Researchers are developing methods to devulcanize scrap tires for recycling.
• Soften: To make or become less hard.

Học thuật

Verb

1. subject to vulcanization
   • vulcanized rubber
2. undergo vulcanization
   • vulcanize rubber

Từ đồng nghĩa

• vulcanise