Cashew gum

Description

The hard, yellowish-brown exudation from the bark of the cashew-nut tree, Anacardium occidentale. Cashew gum is used for inks, insecticides, varnishes, bookbinders' gum, and for tanning leather. It has also been used as a substitute for lacquer in high gloss finishes. Cashew gum is sold commercially as Polycite.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Anacardium occidentale; anacardium gum; goma de anacardo (Esp.); Polycite [Mitsubishi Petrochemical];

Physical and Chemical Properties

Slightly soluble in water.

Resources and Citations

• Thomas Gregory, The Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 154

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• N.Umney - Conservation News, Number 33, 1987