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
