Methods of vulcanization using a high content sulfur polymer, instead of elemental sulfur, have been developed. These high sulfur content polymers are referred to as Chalcogenide Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Polymers (CHIP) materials and have good polymer compatibility in that they are soluble in a number of polymers. Furthermore, CHIP materials may have weaker bonds than the S-S bonds of elemental sulfur and thus provide for a higher crosslinking efficiency vulcanization.