Gutta Percha

Gutta percha, the trans-1,4-polyisoprene of botanical origin, was once the exclusive material for a variety of objects, such as insulative covering of submarine cables, chemical-resistant devices, golf balls, and denture and dent fillers. This book traces the 'journey' of this unique polymer which played a role as precursor to the synthetic thermoplastics emergence in 20th century. (The appendices briefly review the history of Xylonite (Celluloid) and Amber & Copal is briefly reviewed).

植物由来のトランス-1,4-ポリイソプレンであるグッタパーチャは，かつて海底ケーブルの絶縁被覆，耐薬品性装置，ゴルフボール，義歯・歯科用フィラーなどの為の唯一無二の材料であった。本書は20世紀に出現した合成熱可塑性プラスチックの前身としての役割を果たしたこのユニークなポリマーの「旅」を辿る（付章ではザイロナイト（セルロイド）並びに琥珀及びコパルの歴史を簡単に振返る）。

Contents

Foreword by Prof. Malcolm M. Mackley

Introduction

Chapter 1 The source of gutta percha and the use by native people

Chapter 2 Introduction to Europe; Processing and products

Chapter 3 Insulative covering of submarine cables

Chapter 4 Structure and properties

Chapter 5 The founding of plantation at Tjipetir

Chapter 6 Other sources of trans-1,4-poly-isoprene

Chapter 7 A guide to the gutta percha plantation/factory at Cipetir

Chapter 8 Gutta Percha Conference 2007

Chapter 9 Recent News

Appendix1 A Brief History of Xylonite (Celluloid)

Appendix2 Thermoplastic Aspects of Amber and Copal

References and Notes

Index