Guttapercha

Monomer

Fixed

0.96 to 0.99 g · cm -3

The (or the ) gutta-percha or gutta ( malay getah " rubber " percha " tree ") is the dried milk of the domestic space in the Malay Guttaperchabaumes ( Palaquium gutta ). Gutta-percha is chemically close to the rubber, but it is not contrary to this cis but trans-1 ,4 -linked polyisoprene ( balata as well ) with much lower molar mass. At room temperature, it is harder and not as elastic, but is soft and malleable at about 50 ° C.

Applications

Dentistry

In dentistry is mainly used for gutta-percha root canal treatments are used. The " Gutta " used to fill the channels in addition to a number of other components contain a high percentage of gutta-percha. Also for temporary fillings is today sometimes still used gutta-percha, for example, to bridge the time between the preparation and the inclusion of an inlay. Compared to synthetic temporary materials, it has the advantage that it can be removed in one piece.

Art

Gutta is also used in the silk cloth painting as a release agent to achieve contours. In this Guttatechnik said contours technique, the fabric is not colored, where the release agent was applied. What remains is a colorless line or surface.

Electroforming

To copy in small editions historic metalwork or to transfer small sculptures by artists in metal, is used in the second half of the 19th century electrotype methods. Footprints with the help of heated elastic gutta-percha could be easily removed by full round bodies or severely undercut reliefs. Made electrically conductive graphite powder inside of the resulting shapes could be transmitted electrically in metal.

Sports

The golf ball was in the past a typical application for this material. Such balls called also Guttin balls.

Commodities

Were widespread bucket of gutta-percha in the chemical industry before more modern materials were available. Especially in dynamite factories Guttaperchaeimer were used to transport smaller explosive oil batches and are commonly seen on older pictures. Furthermore, gutta-percha found as a component of chewing gum use.

Electrical cable insulation

Because of its good insulating the polyterpene from the mid-19th century, was used to wrap electrical cables. Material tests in 1846 and the invention of the extrusion press by Werner Siemens in 1847 led to the founding of the Telegraph Construction Institute of Siemens & Halske. Such cables especially the intercontinental telegraphy was made possible by laying of submarine cables. As insulation material for electrical cables percha has been completely replaced by different types of plastics.