Introduction And History Of Polymeric Materials 

History Of Polymeric Materials 

Industrial revolution in the modern polymer industry began to develop when, In 1839, Charles Goodyear accidentally dropped a lump of rubber mixed with sulfur on the hot stove. The rubber did not melt, but rather charred. He had discovered vulcanization, the secret that was to make rubber a commercial success. He succeeded in producing a useful form of natural rubber– vulcanized rubber.  Vulcanization is a chemical process for converting natural rubber into more durable materials via the addition of sulfur or other equivalent additives.  These additives modify the polymer by forming cross-links (bridges) between individual polymer chains. At 2 to 3% crosslinking a useful soft rubber, that no longer suffers stickiness and brittleness problems on heating and cooling, is obtained.  Rubber, cross-linked polymer : Thermoset (once formed, cannot be reshaped by heating) .