Natural Rubber and Gutta-Percha Rubber

One of the most significant polymers for human society is natural rubber (NR), which is made of long isoprene polymer chains. The sole commercial source of natural rubber latex sap is Hevea brasiliensis, commonly called the rubber tree, and is an important raw resource that is used to make over 40,000 different goods. NR-based composites have now widely emerged as a green composite with bio-based properties as an alternative to the rising concern over several environmental issues. Gutta-percha is a natural polymer that has many chemical qualities similar to natural rubber but differs from rubber in terms of its molecular structure. Initially created as a restorative substance, “gutta-percha” has now evolved into a crucial endodontic filling substance. In the process of developing as a specialization, it has evolved into the “soul” of endodontics. The indigenous of the Malaysian archipelago employed gutta-percha in rudimentary form for producing knife handles, walking sticks, and other things long before it was brought to the Western world. Over the years, gutta-percha has undergone a number of modifications to meet changing endodontic trends and fulfill its goals by streamlining the procedures, producing an ideal material. In this chapter, we discuss different applications of the two versatile biopolymers: natural rubber and gutta-percha rubber.