Hydrated calcium sulfate is known as gypsum.
Gypsum is hydrated calcium sulfate , which is usually white and is compact or earthy. It is a term that comes from the Latin gypsum , although its origin dates back to the Greek language.
Plaster is dehydrated by the action of fire and hardens quickly when kneaded with water. This material is used in the field of construction , in artistic sculpture and in medicine (to keep a broken bone in place after a fracture).
Types of plaster
As an industrial product, gypsum is semihydrated calcium sulfate and is often known as baked gypsum . It is sold in powder form, that is, ground.
However, we must not forget that there are many different types of plaster that are used by construction professionals. Among the most significant are black , matte , crystallized and white .
Among the uses of plaster, we can highlight its use as a paste for plastering, trim or joints and for the prefabrication of ceiling panels. Gypsum also functions as a thermal insulator and can be used in the manufacture of cement. For example: "The bricklayers asked me to buy more plaster for the work since there is still a lot of work to do," "I'm going to apply plaster in María's room so that it doesn't get so cold at night."
The plasterboard or durlock
Currently, it must be emphasized that, within the field of construction, there has been a growth in demand for a product called plasterboard , durlock or drywall, which is made up of laminated plasterboard. It is used both to create partitions or false ceilings and to thermally and acoustically insulate a room, or even to make furniture and shelves.
Among the reasons that explain why plasterboard has become a true benchmark in the sector is the fact that it is installed quickly and without the need for major works, it has a much cheaper price than other materials, it is clean and has great endurance.
A cast is used to immobilize a bone after a fracture.
Plaster in art and health
Artists use plaster to create and reproduce sculptures : "Here we can see how the sculptor imagined the face of Christ and captured it in plaster," "My mother bought a plaster Buddha to place in the garden."
In the field of health , meanwhile, plaster is used to make denture molds and as a splint to immobilize the bone and facilitate its regeneration after a fracture: «Javier had to be put in a cast because he broke his leg playing to football" , "I am very happy: tomorrow they will remove the cast and I will be able to use my arm comfortably again" .
In the case of dentistry, it should be emphasized that basically three different types of plaster are used: normal , extra-hard and Paris . The latter is the most used and among its properties are that it is ideal for assembling and that it has a medium level of porosity and fragility.
Phrases with the term
All of this cannot make us overlook the fact that there is also a series of expressions in this field that use the word plaster.
Thus, for example, we could highlight the verbal phrase "wash with plaster" , which is used to refer to the fact that a certain wall is being covered with plaster.