What is Gypsum?
Technically speaking, gypsum is a naturally occurring hydrated salt of calcium and sulfate (CaSO4-2H2O). Practically speaking, gypsum has uses beyond most people’s imagination. Gypsum is an abundant mineral that was formed millions of years ago due to evaporation of shallow seas. It is believed that as the seawater became more concentrated, dissolved calcium and sulfur precipitated as calcium sulfate onto the sea floor. Today gypsum is mined and processed for a wide range of uses. Although most people are not aware of many of its uses, the chemical and physical properties of gypsum make it a part of our everyday lives.
What building material is also used as food additive for hamburger and spaghetti, or as a mild abrasive in some toothpastes? Gypsum. Gypsum is one of the oldest building materials in the world. It has been used in the interiors of the great pyramids in Egypt as early as 3700 B.C. Gypsum is found in every continent of the world and is one of the most widely used minerals. The word “gypsum” is derived from a Greek verb meaning “to cook,” referring to the burnt or calcined material. It is also called plaster of Paris because of the gypsum found in quarries of the Montmartre district of Paris, which has long furnished burnt gypsum. As we know plaster of Paris is used for making molds and surgical splints. Gypsum is a white to transparent mineral compound. It is generally found underground near deposits of limestone or other minerals formed by evaporation. One of the more popularly known types of gypsum is pure white crystal which is fine-grained gypsum called alabaster, and is highly prize
Gypsum is the more common name for a mineral compound called calcium sulphate dihydroxide, or sulphate of lime. Gypsum is generally found underground near deposits of limestone or other minerals formed by evaporation. One of the most common forms of raw gypsum is a pure white crystal called alabaster. Another form of unprocessed gypsum forms in desert terrain and its crystals resemble the petals of a flower. For this reason, many people refer to this form of calcium sulphate as the ‘desert rose’. Because the calcium and sulphur molecules in gypsum are chemically bound to water, gypsum is routinely heated in order to remove 50% to 75% of its original moisture. The resulting powder is considered burnt gypsum, although its white or translucent color does not change. Burnt gypsum is valued for its ability to solidify almost immediately after introduction to water. Burnt gypsum is marketed as the molding agent Plaster of Paris. Ordinary schoolroom chalk is also a form of burnt gypsum. Anoth
Gypsum is one of the more common minerals in sedimentary environments. It is a major rock forming mineral that produces massive beds, usually from precipitation out of highly saline waters. Since it forms easily from saline water, gypsum can have many inclusions of other minerals and even trapped bubbles of air and water.
