Plaster of Paris is a white, powdery material made up of gypsum. To make Plaster of Paris, gypsum is heated up to 150 degree Celsius. It forms a white substance also called the gypsum plaster. This plaster mainly finds its use in coating for walls and ceilings of buildings. It is also used in making art structures, and architectural pieces.
How is it used?
PoP is packed and sold as a dry powder which can be mixed with water. It makes a thick paste that is applied for the buildings. The consistency is usually thick, but can be changed by adding more water or powder. The paste when exposed to air will dry to form a rigid layer that is strong.It sets completely in three days of its application.
Why should you use gypsum plaster?
There are many advantages of using Plaster of Paris in construction and purposes. The advantages are –
- It is light weight.
- It is easy to use and apply.
- It is easy to mold it to any shape and pattern.
- It is very durable.
- It is a good fire resistant.
- It has low thermal conductivity.
- It avoids cracks and holes in the wall as it does not shrink while it sets.
- It mixes well with water.
- It sticks properly to even fibrous materials.
- It makes the surface smooth and firm.
- It reduces the amount of paint needed to paint the walls.
- Is stable and does not react with paints.
What are the various uses of gypsum plaster?
- It finds major use in the construction and architecture department. The walls are coated with plaster to make them stronger and durable. The plaster will provide a certain aesthetic appeal and shine to the walls. Thus, it is used as a protective coating on walls and ceilings to avoid molds, flaking and seepage.
- Plaster is also very useful in making molds and casts in the field of interior decoration and decorative items. It is used in creating pillars, posts, false ceilings and other beautiful structures inside the building. It is also used to make statues, fountains and other structures.
- In the medical field, plaster is used to put casts around fractured bones to help them heal faster.
- Plaster is also used in fresco to restore old paintings and monuments. Replicas are made using plaster as it won’t spoil in water too.
- Plaster of Paris is used in the construction of buildings because it is resistant to fire. It is also used as a protective coating on the wooden and metal structures to avoid fire hazards.
- Plaster is used as a fertilizer for plants.
- It is also used in the manufacture of black board chalk which is commonly used all over the world.
- Plaster is used in the field of dentistry to make molds of the teeth that are to be replaced in the patient’s mouth.
Plaster of Paris finds many uses in the making of the day to day stuff that we commonly use. It is in great demand and hence manufactured, packed and sold in bulk.