Introduction
The word 'gutta-percha' comes from the plant's name in Malay, getah perca, which translates as "percha sap".
The same term is used to refer to inelastic natural latex produced from the sap of these trees
Chemical composition
Gutta-percha is a polyterpene, a polymer of isoprene, or polyisoprene, specifically (trans-1,4-polyisoprene).
Physical properties
Gutta-percha latex is biologically inert, resilient, and is a good electrical insulator due to a high dielectric strength.
Allowing this fluid to evaporate and coagulate in the sun produced latex which could be made flexible again with hot waterApplications
1. Dentistry: Endodontic obturation
2. Earlier uses include insulation material for telegraph cables, undersea cables ( to protect from marine animals or plants) , furniture making etc.
However, better synthetic materials replaced gutta-percha
3. The "guttie" golf ball (which had a solid gutta-percha core) is another important application of gutta-percha in sports.
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