What is Plaster of Paris?
Plaster of Paris is a quick-setting gypsum plaster made of fine white powder (calcium sulphate hemihydrate) that hardens when wet and left to dry. Plaster of Paris, known since ancient times, is so named due to its production from the plentiful gypsum found in Paris.
When dry, the plaster of Paris does not shrink or fracture, making it an excellent material for casting molds. It is often used to create and hold decorative plasterwork on ceilings and cornices. It’s also used in medicine to produce plaster casts to keep broken bones immobilized while they recover, however many current orthopedic casts are composed of fiberglass or thermoplastics.
Plaster of Paris
Plaster of Paris is a well-known chemical compound that is widely used in sculpting materials and gauze bandages. While we have seen numerous applications of this substance in our daily lives, Plaster of Paris is a white powdered chemical compound that is hydrated calcium sulphate that is typically produced by calcining gypsum. In other words, Plaster of Paris is often produced using heated gypsum at a high temperature.
Table of Content
- What is Plaster of Paris?
- Plaster of Paris Formula
- How To Make Plaster of Paris?
- Types of Plaster of Paris
- Properties of Plaster of Paris
- Uses of Plaster of Paris
- Difference Between Gypsum and Plaster of Paris
- Plaster of Paris: Advantages and Disadvantages