Nowadays, there is a huge number of different powders, mixtures, and some intermediate materials used to make the final construction product. The choice of one or the other depends on the goals set for implementation. Thus, one of the well-known and popular materials is alabaster.
General concept, properties
Those who are faced with the question of what alabaster is should know that it is environmentally friendly, non-flammable natural material, with first-class sound insulation and excellent water resistance. Generally speaking, construction alabaster has the following properties:
- Fast hardening (sets after 5 minutes and reaches full hardening after half an hour)
- Resistance to cracking
- The maximum possible flatness of the product on the surface
- High level of sound insulation
Most often he white, but options for alabaster in yellow, light gray and even green, pinkish shades are possible. When working with alabaster, some of its features should be taken into account. So, in addition to the speed of hardening, you need to keep in mind that after drying, alabaster slightly increases in volume. Another, no less interesting detail is that alabaster does not stick to rubber at all, and therefore some even advise diluting it in a regular ball.
If you plan to plant alabaster in a bucket, then the container is first lined with polyethylene. Otherwise, you will have to throw out the bucket if even a little alabaster gets on the sides of the container. Such material should be stored in places inaccessible to moisture. Today, three types of alabaster are known:
- Normal hardening
- Slow-hardening
- Fast-hardening
Plaster and alabaster - the main differences
Most people who are inexperienced in this matter naively believe that plaster and alabaster are one and the same thing. In reality, things are somewhat different. In fact, alabaster is gypsum, only it has undergone serious processing. So, gypsum is ground into powder and then heated to 180? C. This powder is nothing more than alabaster. It turns back into gypsum when it is mixed with water.
Scope of application
As a rule, alabaster is used primarily in the construction industry, in particular as a finishing material. A product such as alabaster, the use of which relates specifically to construction work, is indispensable in the manufacture of plasterboard panels, dry sheet plaster, stucco molding and much more. It is known that this material is often subjected to different types polishing: horsetail processing, filing or scraping. However, if you allow even the slightest contact of the final alabaster product with water, not a trace will remain of the polishing - it will fade.
Breeding technology
Everyone who sooner or later comes across this product should know the basic rules of how to grow alabaster. The technology for preparing alabaster is very similar to the process of diluting glue for gluing wallpaper. In order to properly dilute alabaster, the ratio of product and water should be 1: 0.5, where 1 kg of alabaster is per half liter of water.
The resulting mixture is stirred until it reaches the “sour cream” state. After a couple of minutes, you can begin to use it directly. However, it is worth remembering that the use of alabaster is permissible only immediately after its production is completed. After drying again, it is no longer suitable for any type of work. The only way to delay the setting of alabaster is to add 2% animal glue or a lime solution to the solution.
Gypsum has been known since ancient times, but has not yet lost its popularity, even many modern materials cannot compete with him. It is used in the construction, porcelain, ceramics, petroleum and medicine industries.
Description of building material
Gypsum is produced from gypsum stone. To obtain gypsum powder, the stone is fired in rotary kilns and then ground to form a powder. Gypsum is most common in construction.
Walls plastered with gypsum mortar are capable of absorbing excess moisture and give it away when the air is too dry.
Gypsum formula
The name gypsum comes from the Greek word gipsos. This material belongs to the class of sulfates. His chemical formula CaSO4?2H2O.
There are two types of gypsum:
- Fibrous - selenite;
- Grainy - alabaster.
Photos of gypsum varieties
Selenite Alabaster
Technical characteristics and properties
For all gypsum mixtures specifications have great similarities, let us dwell on the properties and features of building gypsum.
These include:
- Density. Gypsum has a dense, fine-grained structure. The true density is 2.60-2.76 g/cm?. When loosely poured, it has a density of 850-1150 kg/m2, and when compacted, the density is 1245-1455 kg/m2.
- How long does it take to dry? The advantages of gypsum include rapid setting and hardening. The gypsum sets in the fourth minute after mixing the solution, and after half an hour it completely hardens. Therefore, the finished gypsum solution must be used immediately. To slow down the setting, water-soluble animal glue is added to the plaster.
- Specific gravity. Is the specific gravity of gypsum measured in kg/m? in the MKGSS system. Since the ratio of mass is equal to the volume it occupies, the specific, volumetric and bulk weight of gypsum is approximately the same.
- What temperature can it withstand? t melting). Gypsum can be heated to 600-700°C without destruction. The fire resistance of gypsum products is high. Their destruction occurs only six to eight hours after exposure to high temperature.
- Strength. Construction gypsum has a compressive strength of 4-6 MPa, high-strength - from 15 to 40 MPa or more. Well-dried samples have two to three times higher strength.
- GOST State standard gypsum 125-79 (ST SEV 826-77).
- Thermal conductivity. Gypsum is a poor conductor of heat. Its thermal conductivity is 0.259 kcal/m deg/hour in the range from 15 to 45°C.
- Solubility in water. R dissolves into nothing large quantities ah: 2.256 g dissolves in 1 liter of water at 0°, 2.534 g at 15°, 2.684 g at 35°; with further heating, the solubility decreases again.
The video talks about building gypsum and how you can improve its properties by giving additional strength:
Types of gypsum
Gypsum has the greatest variety of uses among other binding materials. It allows you to save on other materials. There are many varieties of gypsum.
Building
It is used for the production of gypsum parts, partition boards for plastering works. Work with gypsum mortar must be carried out in a very short time - from 8 to 25 minutes, it depends on the type of gypsum. During this time it must be completely used up. When hardening begins, gypsum already gains about 40% of its final strength.
Since cracks do not form on the gypsum during hardening, when mixing the solution with lime mortar, which gives it plasticity, you don’t have to add various fillers. Due to short terms setting retarders are added to gypsum. Construction gypsum reduces labor intensity and construction costs.
In deposits by blasting gypsum-containing rock. The ore is then transported to factories in the form of gypsum stones.
High strength
By chemical composition high-strength gypsum is similar to building gypsum. But building gypsum has smaller crystals, while high-strength gypsum has large crystals, so it has less porosity and very high strength.
High-strength gypsum is produced by heat treatment in a sealed apparatus into which gypsum stone is placed.
The scope of application of high-strength gypsum is extensive. Various are prepared from it building mixtures, build fireproof partitions. It is also made from various shapes for the production of porcelain and earthenware sanitary products. High-strength gypsum is used in traumatology and dentistry.
Polymeric
Orthopedic traumatologists are more familiar with synthetic polymer plaster; plaster bandages are produced on its basis for applying bandages for fractures.
Advantages of polymer plaster casts:
- three times lighter than conventional plaster;
- easy to apply;
- allow the skin to breathe, as they have good permeability;
- resistant to moisture;
- allow you to control bone fusion, as they are permeable to x-rays.
Cellacast
Bandages are also made from this plaster; their structure allows the bandage to be stretched in all directions, so very complex bandages can be made from it. Cellacast has all the properties of a polymer bandage.
Sculpted or molded
This is the most highly durable gypsum, it does not contain any impurities, it has high natural whiteness. It is used for making molds for sculptures, plaster figurines, sculpting souvenirs, in the porcelain and earthenware, aviation and automotive industries.
This is the main component of dry putty mixtures. Molding gypsum is obtained from building gypsum, for this it is additionally sifted and ground.
Known for several centuries, it still remains relevant in our time. The most common rosettes are gypsum, they are easy to make with your own hands.
Acrylic
Acrylic plaster is made from water-soluble acrylic resin. After hardening, it looks similar to regular plaster, but is much lighter. Ceiling stucco and other decorative details are made from it.
Acrylic gypsum is frost-resistant and has little moisture absorption, so it can be used to decorate building facades, creating interesting design solutions.
Working with acrylic plaster is very simple. If you add a little marble chips or aluminum powder or other inert fillers to the solution, acrylic plaster products will closely resemble marble or metal ones.
This is what acrylic plaster looks like
Polyurethane
Gypsum stucco can also be made from polyurethane or polystyrene gypsum. It costs much less than ordinary gypsum, and its qualities are almost no different from it.
White
Using white gypsum, seams, cracks are sealed, stucco is made and other types of construction are carried out. repair work. It has compatibility with various types building materials. White gypsum hardening time 10 minutes.
Fine grain
Fine-grained gypsum is also called translucent. It is used to fill seams, joints in slabs, etc.
Liquid
Liquid gypsum is prepared from gypsum powder.
It is prepared using the following technology:
- Pour water in the required quantity.
- Pour in gypsum and mix immediately.
- The density of the solution can be varied. A liquid solution is made to fill the molds
Waterproof (moisture resistant)
Waterproof gypsum is obtained by processing raw materials according to special technology. To improve the properties of gypsum, stillage, a waste product from the production of ethyl alcohol, is added to it.
Refractory
Gypsum – non-flammable material non-flammable, but plasterboard sheets, made from it are quite flammable. To give them fire resistance, tongue-and-groove gypsum is used. It is used wherever it is required to increase fire resistance.
Architectural
Architectural gypsum does not contain toxic components, it is very plastic. Its acidity is similar to that of human skin. Classic modeling from architectural plaster is very popular among designers; there is a very high demand for it.
It requires certain knowledge, so you should first carefully study the features of such work, and only then proceed to practice.
Stamps
Plaster marking is carried out after testing standard samples of sticks for bending and compression two hours after they are molded. According to GOST 129-79, twelve grades of gypsum are established, with strength indicators from G2 to G25.
Plaster substitute
An analogue of gypsum is a finely dispersed grayish-white powder - alabaster. It is also popular in construction. Alabaster is obtained from natural gypsum dihydrate by heat treatment at temperatures from 150 to 180? C. Externally, alabaster and gypsum are no different from each other.
Alabaster is used to plaster walls and ceilings at low indoor humidity. Gypsum panels are produced from it.
What is the difference between plaster and alabaster?
Gypsum and alabaster have the following differences:
- Alabaster is more limited in application, as it is used only in the construction industry. Gypsum is also used in medicine.
- Alabaster dries instantly, so it is not suitable without the addition of special substances.
- Gypsum is safer for environment and human health.
- Alabaster has greater hardness than gypsum.
In the construction industry, we are sure to encounter such concepts as gypsum and alabaster. But even professional workers sometimes do not see the difference between these two materials, often saying that they are one and the same. To some extent, they are right, because alabaster is a type of gypsum and is actively used in the construction industry. And, nevertheless, there is a difference between gypsum and alabaster, and we will try to see the main signs of the difference, especially since they are quite significant.
Alabaster
This is the name of a finely dispersed white powder (a grayish tint is also possible), which is actively used in construction. The material is obtained by firing gypsum stone, which is pre-crushed. Gypsum alabaster is excellent for plastering walls and ceilings with low indoor humidity. Construction materials (for example, gypsum panels) are also obtained from alabaster.
Gypsum
This is a broader concept than alabaster, which, in fact, is a variety of it. Gypsum is a natural material that is odorless and does not pose any threat to human health; it is environmentally friendly pure material. Among other things, it meets the most stringent requirements fire safety, which allows it to be actively used in construction work. From positive properties natural material, one can also note the fact that gypsum can absorb excess moisture and, at the moment when it is needed, release it back. This unique property is what made gypsum so popular in interior decoration premises of a variety of facilities, including industrial ones. More precisely, materials used for finishing are dry mixtures, the production of which is based on gypsum.
Comparison
As noted above, the differences between gypsum and alabaster are not immediately visible, and not everyone can tell the difference by eye. Signs of difference lie rather in the properties of the material:
- Gypsum is a broader concept than alabaster. For example, the material is also used in medicine to make impressions. In dentistry, dentures are made using just such casts, and their quality allows for very precise work, and artificial teeth fit organically into the overall row. In fact, gypsum has been used in medicine for a very long time, almost since the discovery of this natural material.
- Alabaster dries out very quickly, which causes some discomfort for the craftsmen. Therefore, builders often use special additives that they add to alabaster before mixing.
- Gypsum – more safe material For human body and the environment. No wonder he finds his active use specifically in medicine. But alabaster cannot boast of such a property, which is why it is used only in the construction industry.
- Another difference can be detected by carefully touching both materials: gypsum is very soft, unlike alabaster.
Conclusions website
- Alabaster is a type of gypsum and is more organic in use (only in the construction industry), while gypsum is widely used, including for medical purposes.
- Alabaster dries quickly, which is why you have to add various substances to avoid this trouble.
- Gypsum is a safer material for both humans and the environment.
- Alabaster is harder than plaster.
During construction and renovation, gypsum or alabaster is often used to finish walls, ceilings, and even floors. What is the difference between alabaster and plaster? These materials are similar in many ways, alabaster is a derivative of gypsum, however, their qualities and properties differ, so that in some cases only gypsum (Rotgypsum) can be used, and in others - alabaster. In this case, you need to know their main characteristics. Perhaps only then will you decide which of these materials will be used. Let's take a closer look at what each material is.
Construction gypsum - what is it?
Gypsum is a natural, environmentally friendly material with excellent binding characteristics, rapid hardening and subsequent strength. It is safe in case of fire. When moisture accumulates in a room, this material absorbs excess and, if necessary, releases it back into dry air. This property makes gypsum a unique finishing material.
Construction alabaster - what is it?
Alabaster is a building material that is obtained after firing crushed gypsum. 
Alabaster is used to repair room surfaces, and panels and slabs are also made from it. This soft material, it is easy to work with a saw. Like gypsum, it does not burn and is environmentally friendly.
- Quality of building gypsum.
- Quickly sticks to the surface and hardens.
- Withstands high temperatures without destruction.
- Open fire begins to act on plaster after 6 hours.
- Hardened plaster is not afraid of mechanical damage.
- Qualities of alabaster.
- Hardens within 5 minutes.
- Protects against crack formation.
- Levels the surface.
- Soundproofing.
- After drying, alabaster increases in volume.
Alabaster adheres firmly to almost any surface except rubber. In this regard, it is advisable to line the container in which alabaster is diluted inside with polyethylene.
What is the difference between plaster and alabaster?
Compared to the use of alabaster, gypsum is a universal building material. To the touch you can feel that gypsum is softer than alabaster, and it hardens more slowly (about half an hour). High speed drying of alabaster is not always positive. An additive is often added to dry mixtures and liquid mortars to increase the hardening time. This increases the working time with the solution.
What is stronger: plaster or alabaster?
In plaster mechanical strength higher than alabaster. Serious drawback alabaster - under 
It fades due to moisture. It is no coincidence that gypsum is used in different areas, including medicine - it is more environmentally friendly and safe for health, while the use of alabaster is limited to the construction sector.
Application of building gypsum
Gypsum is used as the main component for a wide range of materials: dry construction mixtures, plaster, putty, adhesives. The gypsum itself (Rotgypsum) is excellent for sealing seams, cracks, and irregularities. Natural stucco moldings, cornices, decorative elements interior For interior decoration, gypsum has also found use as a base for decorative stone, which you can even make with your own hands and facing tiles.
It is difficult to imagine a renovation without using this material. Alabaster, whose use is very wide, is one of the most common materials used in repair, construction, decorative design interior In the retail chain it is sold in the form of a white powder, diluted with water before use. It is distinguished from other similar materials by its rapid hardening.
Concept, types, properties
He is called construction alabaster or plaster, consisting of a dry mixture of components. Gypsum is considered the main substance among them. The elasticity of alabaster is provided by polymer components. This material is classified as non-flammable, environmentally friendly natural materials. It has excellent soundproofing properties and water resistance.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before you start working with a mixture prepared from alabaster powder, you should study the characteristics of the material used. The powder is inexpensive and is in deserved demand among buyers for its excellent technological performance. In general, construction alabaster has the following properties:
- dries quickly upon contact with water (sets in 5 minutes, completely hardens in 30 minutes), which makes the material indispensable when quick and high-quality surface finishing is needed;
- preventing the appearance of cracks;
- an even film is formed on the treated surface;
- good fire-resistant properties (difficult to ignite);
- high sound insulation.
This finishing material is light in weight and does not shrink during the hardening process. If the question arises as to whether alabaster is harmful to human health, then we can absolutely say that it is safe. The powder is predominantly white in color, but it also occurs in other colors: light gray, yellow, and sometimes it has greenish and pink shades.
What temperature can alabaster withstand? It can withstand exposure to significant temperatures. Resists heat up to 700° without destruction. The destructive consequences of interaction with open fire will be visible after 6 hours.
Negative characteristics of the material include its insufficient strength and inability to withstand heavy loads. Due to the fact that alabaster can absorb water when hardening, it should not be used in special applications. wet areas. The frozen alabaster mixture does not like it when the air around is dry and hot, then the material will simply crumble due to loss of moisture reserves and a decrease in viscosity. Such disadvantages are eliminated by introducing various additives into the alabaster solution.
Features of the material
When working, you must remember about the characteristics inherent in this substance. In addition to the rapid hardening characteristic of it, it is capable of increasing in volume. Distinctive feature of this material also lies in the fact that it does not stick to the surface of rubber products. It is even recommended to prepare a solution from it in a regular rubber ball. The material is stored in a dry place with humidity not exceeding 60%.
Currently Based on the rate of hardening, the material is divided into the following types:
- with rapid hardening;
- with normal hardening speed;
- with slow hardening.
In the first case, the mixture used will begin to set a few minutes after its preparation, and after a quarter of an hour it will completely harden. The solution of the second type will begin to harden after preparation after 7 minutes, and will finally harden in 35 minutes. For the latter type of mixture, hardening begins after 20 minutes. from the moment of preparation, and the solution will finally harden after 40 minutes.
The difference between alabaster and plaster
Often people who do not have the necessary information Both alabaster and gypsum are considered the same material. In fact, alabaster is obtained from gypsum after its thorough processing. First, the gypsum is crushed, converted into powder, then heated until a temperature of 180° is reached. As a result of all operations, alabaster is obtained.
A little about plaster
It is a natural material, environmentally friendly, odorless. Unlike alabaster, it has a wider range of uses. Its frequent use in construction is due to its good viscosity, fast, durable drying, and significant resistance to fire.
WITH positive side gypsum is characterized by the fact that it is able to absorb excess moisture in the room; and if there is a lack of moisture, it can give it back. Such unique property other building materials do not have, which allows gypsum to become widespread in internal works for finishing of residential (industrial) premises.
Differences
Visually, the difference between these two substances may not be detectable. You need to look for her soon in the properties of each material, and not in a simple inspection of the result of their application. Gypsum, unlike alabaster, has greater versatility in use. Gypsum is used in various fields human activity. Among them is medicine, where it is used in the making of casts.
Such plaster casts in dental clinics needed in the manufacture of dentures. Casts have high quality. This contributes precise work, as a result of which a person is comfortable with artificial teeth. Making dental impressions is just one of the uses of gypsum in the medical field, where it has been used almost since the discovery of the material.
For example, it is well known that when an arm (leg) is broken apply a special bandage (plaster). In addition to medicine, gypsum is used in architecture and art. Gypsum was used to create various bas-reliefs, for internal and exterior decoration classical buildings stucco. In sculptures and applied arts, gypsum-based decorations are also popular.
The alabaster mixture dries and hardens faster than plaster. This property prevents the use of alabaster in the field of medicine and art. Often, even during construction work, components are added to the alabaster mortar that prevent it from hardening. There are no such problems when working with gypsum. Gypsum, unlike alabaster, is softer.
Application of alabaster
As finishing material it is used in construction:
- Production that produces dry plaster, plasterboard panels, stucco molding, and other products cannot do without it.
- It is used to seal cracks, holes, chips, and seams on the walls and ceilings of rooms.
- The use of alabaster helps to fix electrical cables inside special grooves.
- It is used in the production of slopes, beacons, puttying walls and other fences.
Often, due to rapid hardening, alabaster is added to mortar cement in order to slow down the hardening process of the solution. On final stage the surface treated with alabaster mortar is often polished, ground or scraped. It should be remembered that no contact between the alabaster product and water should be allowed, otherwise any polish will become dull.
Selecting containers for preparing the mixture
Since the mixture obtained from alabaster powder tends to harden quickly, diluting this material with water somewhat different from other similar solutions. If you prepare the mixture in a bucket or bowl, then when the alabaster hardens in it, the container will have to be constantly cleaned of it, which is problematic. In this case, builders with experience try to breed a small amount of alabaster using rubber containers.
The remains of alabaster can be easily removed from there by squeezing an elastic thing. This convenient device it can be made from a simple chamber, half a rubber ball. When diluting large quantities of the mixture at one time, inner surface containers are covered for their safety plastic film, the edges of which are securely fastened.
Preparation of working solution
Anyone working with alabaster should know how to breed it. The process of preparing a working solution of alabaster is reminiscent of the procedure for diluting dry glue before gluing wallpaper. To do this, take the components at the rate of: for 1 kg of alabaster - 0.5 liters of water. The selected container is filled with water, into which dry alabaster is carefully poured. The components are mixed, preventing the formation of lumps, until the consistency of sour cream is achieved. After about 2 min. the mixture is ready.
Freshly prepared alabaster solution is used immediately after preparation. If it dries out, it will be unusable. In order to use the solution longer, you need to know what to add to the alabaster to make it harden more slowly. Adding glue (carpentry, wallpaper) to the solution in an amount of 2% of the total weight of the mixture and a lime solution will help delay the drying process of the material.
To ensure that the result of the work meets the requirements, you need to know how to dilute construction alabaster in relation to a certain type of work. Water resistance of alabaster product improved by applying paint or a special moisture-proof layer to its surface. To apply the prepared alabaster mixture, use a spatula or trowel. Upon completion of work, the tools used are thoroughly washed.
Alabaster solution for various types of work, done correctly
To obtain good result work, certain proportions should be observed when preparing the mixture. Otherwise, the mixture will either harden quickly or not dry at all. To avoid such situations, you must adhere to a proven recipe.
First, 0.5 liters of water is poured into a rubber container, and 1 kg of alabaster from a bag is gradually poured into it. The bag with the material is held with one hand, and the mixture is mixed with the other. When mixing, no powder should remain on the walls of the container. The result will be a homogeneous mass without lumps. It should not be stirred for too long to avoid loss of strength.
After 5 min. After cooking, the mass will thicken. It will take 20 to 30 minutes for the solution to completely harden. Taking this fact into account, you should take the amount of alabaster for kneading that can be used in 5, maximum 7 minutes. work performed. The prepared solution is used for covering formed cracks, fixing wires, and other minor work.
Applied to plaster used for walls requires a slightly different preparation of the mixture. To begin with, the type of work to be done is determined. It is best to level the outer walls of buildings using cement mortar. Internal walls covered with a mixture of lime. If you use alabaster for plaster, using it with lime is suitable for eliminating all kinds of errors on the walls: cracks, cracks.
A dry lime mixture is first prepared, to which water and alabaster substance are then added. Instead of containers, you can use the remainder of a rubber tire (another container) more than 10 cm in height. First, a certain amount of sand (1 part) is poured into it, then lime (5 parts). Next, use a spatula (construction mixer) to mix these substances until smooth.
Then add water, stirring the mixture until it reaches the consistency of rich sour cream. After this, they begin to make an alabaster “dough”, 1 part of which should account for 4 parts of the lime mixture. Next, the alabaster “dough” is poured into a container with lime. All components are mixed briefly but thoroughly. Having prepared the substance, they proceed directly to the construction work itself.
The first step is to “spray” the surface, when a small amount of the mixture is taken with a construction shovel, it is thrown onto the surface of the wall with a sharp movement of the hand. Do this carefully so that the material does not splash the entire wall.
The next step is to apply primer using a wide spatula. The soil layer is leveled. Placed on top thin layer from plaster. They cover the soil until it dries, using a roller (brush). When the plaster itself has dried, it is processed counterclockwise with a construction plastic trowel, using circular movements of the hand.
Having an idea of what alabaster is, its use in performing certain construction and repair work can be obtained in high results from its use. You only need to know approximately how much alabaster powder is needed to complete a given amount of work, in addition, you should follow the recommended proportions when diluting it.
