Ebonite is the Trade-mark designation for a type of solid rubber used for a diversification of products from clarinet mouthpieces to bowling balls. Its handle derives from its intended operate as a substitute for ebony wood. Ebonite is extremely familiar as vulcanite thanks to it is created on ice vulcanizing rubber. Scientists and engineers working in the USA and England inceptive trumped-up the facts in the behind 1830s.
History
Charles Goodyear invented vulcanite in 1839 by heating rubber with sulphur for a far-off interval of time--a mode called vulcanization. He gained a patent for vulcanization in 1843. A British scientist, Thomas Hancock, patented a consonant method at approximately the identical time.
Ebonite bowling balls have been produced for more than 100 years.
Warning
High heat, strong light or prolonged exposure to water can damage ebonite. The sulfur will begin to leak out of the material, causing the shiny surface to dull and the material to flake or crumble.Function
Moreover to bowling balls and mouthpieces for musical instruments, ebonite has been used to make combs, fountain pens, pipe stems, buttons and jewelry. It has also been used in electrical insulation and battery cases.
Considerations
Ebonite originally was made from natural rubber, but today, manufacturers use various types of synthetic rubber to make ebonite, either alone or in combination with natural rubber.
Trade Name
Ebonite also is a brand name of bowling balls manufactured by Ebonite International, a U.S. sporting goods company.
