gutta percha

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gutta percha A latex, mainly of Sapotaceae but also of Eucommiaceae and some Celastraceae. Palaquium gutta, of Sumatra, Java, Malaya, and Borneo, is the main source. The latex is obtained by tapping the bark or by crushing the leaves in hot water. It is a better thermal and electrical insulator than rubber, almost non-elastic, and plastic above 82°C. It is now used only for temporary dental stoppings, but formerly it was used for submarine telephone cables and golf balls.

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