Talk:Gutta-percha

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Latex

in calling this a latex, is that correct? Is latex one specific compound from the rubber tree, or is it a more generic term that can be applied to several forms of hardened tree sap?

Generic: Latex makes it sound like the fluid sap or non-rigid dried sap of many plant species. - Rod57 (talk) 04:54, 24 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Unsustainable harvesting?

The statement, up front and center "... insulation for underwater telegraph cables, which led to unsustainable harvesting and a collapse of the supply" seems to be extremely biased, even if it is from a published work. John Tully appears to be a far left-wing author, whose view might not be shared by others. To make this statement shown above appear as fact is hardly neutral! I have qualified the statement. — Preceding unsigned comment added by ExpatSalopian (talk • contribs) 22:31, 11 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Manufacturing process not described clearly

"Allowing this fluid to evaporate and coagulate." What fluid? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.62.253.103 (talk) 12:55, 7 October 2017 (UTC)[reply]

dielectric constant

The value as an insulator is due not to high dielectric constant, but to high dielectric strength. Dielectric constant is the property of an insulating material that increases the capacitance between the conductors it insulates. A material would be more valuable as an insulator with a low dielectric constant, since it would be a low capacitance insulating material. 70.246.223.152 05:35, 16 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

This part of the article is extremely rudimentary. The key feature of g-p which made the early transatlantic telegraph cables possible was neither its high dielectric constant nor its dielectric strength, but its low dielectric loss. To convey a telegraph signal, the capacitor represented by the cable must be capable of being charged and discharged rapidly as the telegraph key is depressed and released, and this capability depends on relatively low loss. The earlier cables were very disappointing in this respect, and were much slower than expected, but nevertheless g-p was the best available material at the time. g4oep

Source Location

Só gostaria de acrescentar que a Guta-percha também é uma planta nativa da Amazonia, América do sul. Há uma fabrica de guta no munícipo de Manacapuru, marca Tanari.

Above comment in English: I would just like to add that Guta-percha is also a plant native to Amazonia, South America. There is a gut factory in the municipality of Manacapuru, brand Tanari. "Pij" (talk) 23:35, 1 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Possible citation for Tanari: https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/id/products/manufacturers/tanari . This NLM page: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6632621/#sec1-4title lists locations gutta-percha producing trees are found, including South America and more specifically Brazil. I think that confirms they're native, but it might be best if someone more experienced than me has a look at it, or finds a clearer source. The page also states, "It is usually imported from Central South America for its use in dentistry[...]" which may be of interest for the article. eekee (talk) 16:23, 23 May 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Dentistry

In adding this to the endodontic navbox, I hope that viewer visits will increase and perhaps help to expand this article, as the primary use of gutta percha worldwide is probably its use as a root canal obturation material. I find the species list here quite obtrusive and uninformative. I was hoping to be able to insert a little 'show/hide' mark in the species division of the information box, so that the physical length of the article space does not have to be as excessively long as it is now, but I could not figure out how to do it, if it's even possible. If someone can do so, please follow through. Thanx. DRosenbach ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 11:26, 19 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Done on the talk page. The show/hide function cannot be done on the info box of the article. Miranda 11:34, 19 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The last paragraph (comparing gutapercha to a brand of polymer called "Resilon" looks like an advertisement. Besides, is clumsy appended to the text. Are there any objections to have it removed? At least, this is not the article to talk about root canal filling options. angelpeream —Preceding undated comment added 10:45, 7 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

1842

I'm told by an antique jewelry expert that Westerners [English jewelers, specifically] were using gutta-percha for jewelry because it was light, durable, and above all, nearly black. Perfect for mourning jewelry, which was important at the time, yet less costly, as well as more durable, than glass. So the line about Westerners discovering its properties seems inaccurate. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.30.93.88 (talk) 02:00, 6 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Chemical Structure

I'm not an expert on gutta-percha, otherwise I just would have changed this myself, but polyisoprene should have 5 carbon atoms per repeating unit. The figure showing the chemical structure of gutta-percha has only 4 carbon atoms inside the brackets indicating the repeating unit. Can someone else confirm that this is incorrect? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.227.98.203 (talk) 17:12, 27 June 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, it should be 5 carbons within the brackets instead of 4 carbons. I have corrected this problem in the article by substituting a correct image for the incorrect one. H Padleckas (talk) 04:15, 1 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The chemical structure is still incorrect. What is currently shown is cis-1,4-polyisoprene, which is natural rubber. Gutta Percha is trans-1,4-polyisoprene. I have removed the current wrong chemical equation. I don't know how to upload a correct one. Ignitionxvi (talk) 09:27, 16 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]

if gutta-percha is processed plant sap (which the article seems to say it is) then it is extremely unlikely that it is a pure chemical substance (which the article also says it is). So there is something wrong here. Presumably the term is being used with two distinct meanings. Could this be resolved please ? It would be interesting to know, for example what other chemical substances are in the raw material, and what their percentages are. g4oep

Trivia

The trivia sectioned should be fixed, as per WP:Trivia. -71.109.173.5 (talk) 05:36, 13 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Regarding uses in dentistry: The statement should say that gutta percha is used the fill the empty space "inside the root of the tooth," and not the empty apace of the tooth. Dr. Zalme, DDS —Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.126.120.66 (talk) 12:34, 9 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Suggestions/requests

Could clarify that this article is about the latex not the plant.
Section on properties - density, hardness at various temperatures, strength, colour, electrical properties (conductivity, dielectric strength, dielectric constant)
- maybe compare with unvulcanised rubber or other similar materials ?
mention of the multiple-phases and temperature cycling between them as per Prakesh
Historical figures of world production at various times 1845-now

Rod57 (talk) 04:46, 24 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Good ideas. Is all this info available? "Pij" (talk) 23:26, 1 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

May also want to add that gutta-percha is used as a resist in silk painting, including batik. (e.g. Jacquard brand) I'm having trouble finding reputable sources on that, though. Photosynthetic430 ❧ 17:16, 15 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Not that hard to find;

Susan Louise Moyer, Silk Painting: The Artist's Guide to Gutta and Wax Resist Techniques, Watson-Guptill Publications, 1991, ISBN 0823048284.

This also seems to have a lot of information on it,

Kazz Ball, Valerie Janitch, Hand Painted Textiles for the Home, David & Charles Publishers, 1993 ISBN 0715301578.

It has a chapter on the "Gutta-Serti technique" starting on page 94 which I think is what you are after. SpinningSpark 18:01, 15 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

To add to article

To add to this article: a photo of a cane made from gutta-percha. 173.88.246.138 (talk) 06:12, 22 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]