balata-gum

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The inspissated juice of a sapotaceous tree, Mimusops globosa, of tropical America from the Antilles to Guiana. It is intermediate in character between caoutchouc and gutta-percha, and from its great strength is especially suited for belting and similar uses.
2. n. Almost the entire output of balata-gum is produced in Guiana and Venezuela, and comes into commerce in the form of sheets and blocks. It is usually considered a kind of gutta-percha, but differs from the latter in that it is softer at the ordinary temperature, more elastic, cools more slowly after being heated, and is much more durable when exposed to light and air. Though sometimes used in mixtures with gutta-percha, pure balata-gum has certain uses for which it seems especially adapted, as molds for galvanic purposes, shoe-soles, dress-shields, and belts for transmitting power.