Vulcanization The vulcanization is one of the most important steps of the soft or hard rubber lining process. This process give to the lining the final mechanical characteristics, as: hardness abrasion resistance cut resistance tear resistance. The process of vulcanization happens through the aid of temperature, pressure and catalysts. The process of vulcanization was discovered in the XIX° century and consisted in the vulcanization of natural latex through the use of sulphur. Since then, they have been developed a myriad of products which guarantee the possibility of vulcanization, in almost all the operation conditions, through: vapour, warm air, warm water and flowing vapour. Above all, thanks to the correct balancing of temperature and pressure, it is possible to vulcanize equipments with thicker metallic parts, and elevated thicknesses of the rubber lining. Temperature and pressure must constantly have checked in order to assuring a good adhesion to the metallic substratum, avoiding so that the different expansions iron-rubber influence the same adhesion and that the rubber lining, once vulcanized, is submitted to thermal stress that could jeopardize the final characteristics of it. Tamburini has got hot air and direct steam autoclaves having diameter up to 5100 mm and length up to 15510 mm. Steam autoclave – generality The autoclave to be used for the vulcanization must be of proper dimensions in order to contain the particular to be vulcanized, allowing a good circulation of the vapour and it must have valves of unloading also in the high part of the body. It must work with direct saturated vapour and must be endowed with automatic system of regulation of the cycle parameters and with the necessary instrumentation for the measurement and the recording of the pressure and the temperature. The autoclave must be connected to the nets of distribution of vapour and compressed air with opportune regulators of pressure. The instrument must have all the safety devices required from the actual norms. Different cycles are followed for soft and hard rubber. Air autoclave – generality The autoclave to be used for the vulcanization must be of proper dimensions in order to contain the particular to be vulcanized. It must work with hot air and it must have a good circulation, in order to obtain an enough uniformity of temperature, possibly with a device for the inversion of the flow of air. It must be endowed with equipments of control and automatic regulation of the temperature and the pressure so that to be able to perform a cycle that is preventively programmed with card or other equivalent method, and with the necessary instrumentation for the measurement and the recording of the pressure and the temperature. The autoclave must be connected to the net of distribution of the compressed air through regulator of pressure. The instrument must have all the safety devices required from the actual norms. Different cycles are followed for soft and hard rubber. .