All rubber-lined parts are prepared for vulcanization (curing), a critical stage of rubber processing. The vulcanization is necessary to enhance the performance properties of raw compounded rubber through crosslinking of its molecular structure.

Crosslinking is accomplished through a reaction with accelerators like organic peroxides or sulfur that are mixed into the raw rubber base. The four basic methods for vulcanizing (curing) rubber linings are autoclave, internal steam, atmospheric steam and ambient (chemical cure).
The autoclave steam method involves placing the object(s) to be covered or lined with rubber inside a pressure vessel called an autoclave. The autoclave provides a carefully monitored flow of steam, which delivers the best control over the vulcanization process between the four basic curing methods.

With some of the largest autoclaves in the industry, Iracore can properly cure rubber applied to most large equipment.

Autoclave curing offers the greatest potential for producing exceptional rubber-to-substrate bond strength and high-quality rubber products. Other curing methods are susceptible to either reduced rubber-to-substrate bond strength or variable rubber material properties.