[vuhl-kuh-nahyz] 
| 1. | to treat (rubber) with sulfur and heat, thereby imparting strength, greater elasticity, durability, etc. |
| 2. | to subject (a substance other than rubber) to some analogous process, as to harden it. |
| vul·ca·nize (vŭl'kə-nīz') tr.v. vul·ca·nized, vul·ca·niz·ing, vul·ca·niz·es To improve the strength, resiliency, and freedom from stickiness and odor of (rubber, for example) by combining with sulfur or other additives in the presence of heat and pressure. vul'ca·niz'a·ble adj., vul'ca·ni·za'tion (-nĭ-zā'shən) n., vul'ca·niz'er n. |
| vulcanize (vŭl'kə-nīz') Pronunciation Key
To harden rubber by combining it with sulfur or other substances in the presence of heat and pressure. Vulcanization gives rubber strength, resistance, and elasticity. |
kəˌnaɪz