cross-linking
Connecting polymer chains
Cross-linking is the process of forming chemical bonds between polymer chains, creating a more rigid, interconnected structure.
Rubber vulcanization is classic cross-linking—adding sulfur bridges between polymer strands makes rubber stronger and more durable.
The term extends to any domain where separate elements become connected: cross-linking databases, cross-linking ideas across disciplines.
In biology, cross-linking proteins can stiffen tissues or, pathologically, contribute to aging.
Chemically strengthening raw rubber
- elastomerStretchable polymer substance
- rubberElastic polymer from trees
- thermosetPermanently cross-linked polymer
- curingRestoring health or preserving
resin · copolymer · grafting · macromolecule · intermolecular · covalent · hardener · matrix
Openwork of crossed strips
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
- trussLoad-bearing beam arrangement
- bracingRefreshingly keen or stimulating
rigidity · reinforcement · matrix · grid · mesh · interlocking · support · geodesic
Structural body protein
- proteinFolded amino chain
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
fibrin · tissue · cellular · molecular · receptor · ligand · antibody · antigen
Clickable reference to another page
- interconnectionMutual joining of parts
- nodeConnection point in networks
- hubCentral connection point
- routingPath selection process
mesh · topology · referencing · indexing · database · relational · metadata · navigation
Mention of a source
- bibliographyList of cited works
- footnoteCitation at page bottom
- annotationAdded explanatory comment
- indexAlphabetical guide to contents
concordance · glossary · appendix · hypertext · intertextuality · documentation · sourcing · linking
vulcanization
Chemically strengthening raw rubber
- elastomerStretchable polymer substance
- rubberElastic polymer from trees
- thermosetPermanently cross-linked polymer
curing · resin · copolymer · grafting · macromolecule · intermolecular · covalent · hardener · matrix · composite
lattice
Openwork of crossed strips
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
- trussLoad-bearing beam arrangement
bracing · rigidity · reinforcement · matrix · grid · mesh · interlocking · support · geodesic · webbing
collagen
Structural body protein
chromosome · fibrin · tissue · cellular · molecular · receptor · ligand · antibody · antigen · disulfide
hyperlink
Clickable reference to another page
- interconnectionMutual joining of parts
- nodeConnection point in networks
- hubCentral connection point
routing · mesh · topology · referencing · indexing · database · relational · metadata · navigation · sitemap
citation
Mention of a source
- bibliographyList of cited works
- footnoteCitation at page bottom
- annotationAdded explanatory comment
index · concordance · glossary · appendix · hypertext · intertextuality · documentation · sourcing · linking · tagging
- agingaging process, aging body, biological age, aging workforce, aging parents
- blood clottingfibrin, thrombin, prothrombin, fibrinogen, platelet
- PeptidoglycanN-acetylglucosamine, pentapeptide, sacculus, glucosamine
- rubber industrynatural rubber, synthetic rubber, vulcanization, latex, elastomer
- DNA damageDNA damage, lesion, mutation, nick, mismatch
- eye surgeryLASIK, cataract surgery, PRK, vitrectomy, corneal transplant
cross-linkingdepolymerization
Polymer breakdown into monomers
bond cleavage · degradation · bond breaking · hydrolysis · dissolution
cross-linkingseparation
State of being apart
disconnection · unbinding · dissociation · isolation · decoupling
cross, link, crossing, linkage, interlinked, interlinking, unlinking, hyperlinked, crosslinked