Sulfurized

Sulfurized is a chemical designation used to describe a substance that has been treated with sulfur or contains sulfur compounds. The treatment can introduce sulfur-containing functional groups or create sulfur–carbon bonds, often to modify properties such as lubricity, elasticity, heat resistance, or chemical durability. The exact nature of sulfur incorporation depends on the substrate and the process.

In rubber technology, sulfurization refers primarily to vulcanization, the crosslinking of polymer chains with sulfur bridges formed upon heating with sulfur or sulfur-containing accelerators. Vulcanization improves elasticity, resilience, and abrasion resistance, and is foundational to most modern rubber products.

In lubricants and oil chemistry, sulfurized products are oils or additives created by reacting hydrocarbons with sulfur under heat to form organosulfur compounds, including sulfides, mercaptans, or polysulfides. These sulfur-containing materials can enhance extreme-pressure performance, anti-wear properties, and rust inhibition in some formulations.

Other uses include sulfurized bitumen and various sulfur-containing modifiers in polymers and fuels; the term may also appear in product naming to imply sulfur modification. The concept is widespread in chemical manufacturing, reflecting the emphasis on sulfur’s ability to alter reactivity and performance characteristics.