Polymer architecture via abstraction of a hydrogen, can create a mid-chain growth site. Branching can be quantified by the branching index. An effect related to branching is chemical crosslinking - the formation of covalent bonds between chains. Crosslinking tends to increase T and increase strength and toughness. Among other applications, this process is used to strengthen rubbers in a process known as vulcanization, which is based on crosslinking by sulfur. Car tires, for example, are highly crosslinked in order to reduce the leaking of air out of the tire and to toughen their durability. Eraser rubber, on the other hand, is not
Rubber toughening systems. Rubber particles toughen a system by a variety of mechanisms such as when particulates concentrate stress causing cavitation or initiation of dissipating crazes. However the effects are not one-sided; excess rubber content or debonding between the rubber and polymer can reduce toughness. It is not possible to state the specific effects of a given particle size and interfacial adhesion parameter due to numerous other confounding variables. The presence of a given failure mechanism is determined by many factors: those intrinsic to the continuous polymer phase, and those that are extrinsic, pertaining to the stress, loading speed, and ambient conditions.