Ebonite is a brand name for a material generically known as hard rubber or vulcanite, obtained via vulcanizing natural rubber for prolonged periods. Ebonite may contain from 25% to 80% sulfur and linseed oil.[1][2] Its name comes from its intended use as an artificial substitute for ebony wood. The material has also been called vulcanite,[3] although that name formally refers to the mineral vulcanite.
Charles Goodyear's brother, Nelson Goodyear, experimented with the chemistry of ebonite composites. In 1851, he used zinc oxide as a filler.[4] Hugh Silver was responsible for giving it its name.[5]
- ^ "Hartgummi (Ebonite)" (in German). Archived from the original on 2014-12-18. Retrieved 2014-11-30.
- ^ "eboDUST Ebonite/Hard-rubber dust". Archived from the original on 2014-12-05. Retrieved 2014-11-30.
- ^ Merriam-Webster (2002) [1961], "vulcanite", Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA: Merriam-Webster.
- ^ Seymour, Raymond Benedict; Deaning, Rudolph D. (1987). History of Polymeric Composites. VSP. p. 374.
- ^ "ICE Virtual Library". Minutes of the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. 189 (1912). Institute of Civil Engineers: 353. January 1912. doi:10.1680/imotp.1912.16587. Retrieved 12 February 2019.