What is better building gypsum or alabaster. Cement and gypsum plaster - which one to choose? What is the difference between gypsum and alabaster

Nowadays, there is a huge variety of powders, mixtures, some intermediate materials used to make the final building product. The choice of one or the other depends on the goals set for the implementation. So, 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 an environmentally friendly non-flammable natural material, which has first-class sound insulation and excellent water resistance. Generally speaking, building alabaster has the following properties:

• Fast hardening (sets after 5 minutes and reaches full hardening in half an hour)
• Crack resistance
• Maximum possible evenness of the product on the surface
• High level of sound insulation

Most often he white color, but options for alabaster of yellow, light gray and even green, pinkish shades are possible. In the course of working with alabaster, some of its features should be taken into account. So, in addition to the rate of solidification, it must be borne in mind that after drying, the 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 to breed it in an ordinary ball.

If it is planned to breed 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 walls of the container. Store such material in places inaccessible to moisture. To date, three types of alabaster are known:

• Normal hardening
• slow curing
• Fast hardening

Gypsum and alabaster - the main differences

Most people who are inexperienced in this matter naively believe that gypsum and alabaster are one and the same. In reality, things are somewhat different. In fact, alabaster is gypsum, which has only undergone serious processing. So, gypsum is ground into powder, and then heated to 180? This powder is nothing but alabaster. It turns back into gypsum when it is mixed with water.

Scope of application

As a rule, alabaster is used mainly in the construction industry, in particular, as a finishing material. A product such as alabaster, the use of which relates specifically to the implementation construction works, indispensable in the manufacture of drywall panels, dry sheet plaster, stucco and much more. It is known that this material is subsequently quite often subjected to different kind polishing: horsetail processing, filing or scraping. However, if even the slightest contact of the final alabaster product with water is allowed, there will be no trace of polishing - it will fade.

Breeding technology

Everyone who sooner or later comes across this product should know the basic rules of how to breed alabaster. The technology for preparing alabaster is very similar to the process of diluting glue for wallpapering. In order to properly dilute alabaster, the ratio of product and water should be 1: 0.5, where 1 kg of alabaster falls on half a liter of water.

The resulting mixture is stirred until it reaches the state of "sour cream". After a couple of minutes, you can start using it directly. However, it is worth remembering that the use of alabaster is permissible only immediately after its manufacture. After repeated drying, 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 solution of lime to the solution.

Currently, there are many different mixtures and materials that are used to create building products. The choice may be different, depending on the goals and capabilities of the buyer.

The most famous materials in this area are gypsum and alabaster. FAQ: gypsum and alabaster - what's the difference? Many professionals associated with the construction industry consider these types to be almost the same. There is some truth in this, since alabaster is considered a subspecies of gypsum. Nevertheless, there is a difference between these varieties of building products, even significant.

Alabaster

It is a fine white powder. Sometimes it happens in gray color. It is actively used in construction. Gypsum stone undergoes a firing procedure after thorough grinding.

Ideally, this material is suitable for plastering walls or ceilings. It is best to do this if the humidity is at a low level. This powder is also the basis for building materials. For example, gypsum panels are obtained from it.

It is important that the material has an extremely low density. This allows you to operate it in repair work.

Alabaster can serve as a means to create sound insulation in the room.

Note: alabaster does not tolerate moisture. Therefore, it is recommended to store it in a dry place.

The construction industry knows the following types:

• Normal hardening;
• Slow hardening;
• Fast hardening.

Gypsum

The concept of gypsum is much broader than alabaster. It is a natural material. It has no smell and is absolutely safe for human health. It is considered an environmentally friendly type of construction powders. Get it from gypsum stone.

This material tolerates moisture and is able to absorb it. In too dry rooms, on the contrary, it highlights it. This is a significant advantage in construction. By fire safety he comes first.

The material has many varieties:

1. Building;
2. High strength;
3. Polymeric;
4. cellacast;
5. Sculptural;
6. Acrylic;
7. polyurethane;
8. White;
9. fine-grained;
10. Liquid;
11. Waterproof;
12. Refractory;
13. Architectural;

Thanks to these various types, this powder allows you to use yourself in a variety of fields.

Scope of application of materials and their properties

Gypsum is used in several areas:

• building;
• porcelain manufacturing;
• ceramic industry;
• oil industry;
• medicine.

It is also used as a basis for many different building materials. These are mixtures, plaster, various glues, putty. Thanks to its excellent properties, cracks are sealed, irregularities are removed, and seams are caulked.

Alabaster is primarily a finishing material. Most often needed in order to level any surface.

It hardens almost instantly, so it is actively bought as a binder. Needed in repair or to create products.
Other features:

• needed to firmly fix the cables when electrical installation operations are performed;
• to create lighthouses and various slopes;
• in order to putty the enclosing structure.

Gypsum has much more applications than alabaster.

Main differences

These materials have many differences. Not everyone will be able to identify them and see them right away. They differ for the most part in their properties.

1. Gypsum is a deeper and broader concept than alabaster. Gypsum is often used in the field of medicine. Various casts are made from it. It is also actively used in dental prosthetics, and casts are also made. Careful work is being done, the quality of the material allows. It has been used in medicine for a long time. As soon as it was discovered.
2. Alabaster tends to dry out almost instantly. This sometimes becomes its disadvantage. Therefore, professionals have to purchase special additives that are added when mixing the powder.
3. Gypsum is deservedly considered an environmentally friendly product. It is completely safe for human health and the environment in which it is located. That is why it is so popular in the medical field. Alabaster is such a safe and environmentally friendly product. For this reason, its use is limited to construction work.
4. Another significant difference between the materials is that they are different to the touch. Gypsum has a very soft structure, it is almost smooth. Alabaster is more rough and inferior in softness to gypsum.

All this proves that gypsum and alabaster do have some differences.

Breeding Technology

It is not that difficult to dilute these powders. The technology is somewhat reminiscent of the cultivation of glue. The ratio of the material and the amount of liquid (water) is important. This ratio is 1:0.5.

For one kilogram of alabaster, approximately 0.5 liquid is needed. This solution must be thoroughly mixed. As soon as it becomes similar in consistency to sour cream, you can stop kneading. After that, you can start using. Do not forget that the material dries very quickly.

Gypsum dilution technology is about the same. The amount of powder should be more. Two parts of it - one part of the liquid. For 1.5 kilograms of material, an average of one liter of water is required. When mixing, do not allow lumps to remain. The powder should be evenly distributed in the water.

To learn about all the differences between alabaster and gypsum, watch the following video:

Alabaster is one of the oldest building materials, known to craftsmen for more than 5 thousand years. And it is still in demand, despite the appearance of numerous dry building mixtures and tightened requirements. construction industry. Why?

Gypsum = alabaster?

People who are not involved in construction sometimes get confused in terms: it seems to some that gypsum and alabaster are synonyms, everyone just calls it the way they are used to, to others that alabaster is the best and high-quality variety of gypsum.

Some even believe that alabaster is a stone from which statues are sculpted, and when crushed, they are used to finishing works, so it is harder and whiter than gypsum.

So what is alabaster?

This is really a "subspecies" of gypsum. Like building plaster, it is obtained from a natural mineral - gypsum stone, both of them are calcium sulfate, onlythe first is dihydrate (CaSO4 2H2O), and alabaster is semi-aqueous (CaSO4 0.5H2O) .

The mineral is crushed and then fired at a temperature of about 180C.

The grinding of alabaster is finer than that of building gypsum, and therefore this material has less plasticity, but greater hardness.

Also, its unique feature is the drying time - the alabaster mortar sets on average in 5 minutes, that is, much faster than others. building mixtures.

These properties narrow the range of uses of alabaster to building and finishing work, while gypsum can be used in many industries, including medicine, jewelry, casting, art, etc.

Characteristics and types of alabaster

The main average characteristics of alabaster are presented in the table below:

Since one of the main features of the mixture is speed dial strength, there are three types of alabaster according to the speed of hardening:

Benefits of alabaster

• Fast and straight! Due to the speed of setting, the surface can be leveled in just minutes, and after an hour, and even if taken with a margin, it is already ready for further processing.
• Alabaster solution has high adhesion and great fit on almost any prepared surface
• Frozen alabaster has good strength properties and. To this day, elements of palaces and temples have been preserved, which are already more than 5 thousand years old, and they are in excellent condition. Drying, the material does not shrink and is resistant to cracks.
• hardened alabaster absorbs noise, so it can be used as auxiliary material for soundproofing. 6 hours exposure to open fire- this is how much alabaster is able to withstand without significant deformations. It does not burn itself and prevents the spread of flame.
• As part of the material no chemical additives, it is environmentally friendly and can be safely used in bedrooms, nurseries, etc.
• Democratic in comparison with dry building mixtures similar in terms of tasks price.

The use of alabaster

Due to the characteristics of the material, the range of application of alabaster in construction is wide: it is relevant for the production of drywall, in demand professional builders, and is also often used by private traders for minor repairs.

1. Correction of cosmetic wall defects, ceilings and surfaces GKL / GVL. Alabaster mixture is traditionally used to eliminate various chips, dents, cracks, etc.
2. Surface preparation for finishing The alabaster mixture is excellent for puttying walls and partitions in rooms with normal humidity, it is used to prepare surfaces for all types of wallpaper, as well as decorative plaster. Some builders use alabaster even in bathrooms, under tiles, but in this case it is necessary that the material is completely hidden by the cladding and does not come into contact with water. This principle is also true for the kitchen, because alabaster absorbs wet vapors.
3. Electric installation work Alabaster is the joy of an electrician, most comfortable material, allowing you to quickly fix the cable in the wall without the risk that it will move during the drying of the mixture. In addition, many use it when installing socket boxes, because. even when the plug is roughly pulled out of the socket, the structure, due to the hardness of the alabaster, is guaranteed to remain in the wall, which sometimes more expensive and modern dry mixes cannot provide.
4. Interior design. When decorating rooms with stucco, a specific problem often arises: cast gypsum elements have a solid weight and therefore must be firmly fixed to the base. This is especially true for ceilings. And alabaster in this case - perfect option. He will also come to the rescue for masking and repairing small flaws in stucco molding and is indispensable for restoration work.

Preparation for work

When working with alabaster, half of the success depends on the quality of preparation, namely, on the selection of containers and tools.
To make the process easier, consider the following principles.

• There is no metal container! Alabaster will firmly stick to the iron walls, which means loss of material, inconvenience and damaged capacity. plastic utensils it fits better, but rubber is still the most comfortable option: the solution does not stick to the springy walls, and after the work is completed, the dried residues are easily shaken out, for this it is enough to squeeze the form several times and then turn it over. In addition, if desired, special buckets for working with plaster can be purchased at hardware stores.
• There is no container with the remnants of the solution immediately! The dried mortar accelerates the hardening of the new batch to be mixed.
• As for the spatula, they are very convenient. modern instruments from plastic or rubber, the mixture does not stick to them. But a classic steel spatula is also quite suitable, better than a new one: according to the observations of some craftsmen, rust accelerates the setting of an already rapidly hardening mortar

For small mix volumes

Small portions of alabaster are conveniently closed in nylon buckets or compact rubber containers. Often, builders use halves of ordinary children's balls of a suitable diameter.

For stirring "small doses" of the alabaster mixture, a spatula is optimal.

For large volumes

Plastic or rubber bucket line with a single piece of cellophane, dense and without holes, pinch the “tails” to the edges of the container so that the polyethylene does not move during stirring; after use, the film is simply removed from the bucket and thrown away.

It is convenient to stir the solution with a construction mixer, and in its absence, with a drill with a nozzle.

Closing and working with mortar

Here it is important to answer three questions: in what proportion to close, how exactly to close, and what nuances should be taken into account when mixing?

Actually, the proportions depend on the purposes for which the solution is planned to be used. SNiP recommends the following ratios:

In order not to ruin the material and get a quality solution, stick to technology.

• remember, that the mixture is added to water, but in no case vice versa!
• powder need pour gradually like flour in pancake dough, and mix thoroughly until the mass is homogeneous.
• The correct putty mortar has the consistency of mousse or yogurt.
• If the solution begins to harden, and you didn't use it or do what you planned just throw it away without trying to "reanimate" by adding water. With alabaster, the principle “she died so she died” is 200% correct, the seized solution is no longer suitable for anything.
• When applying the solution, make a note that when it dries, the material increases slightly in volume.

Masters Tips:

Theory and SniPs- this, of course, is good, but in practice, alas, the dry mixture can behave differently, it all depends on the brand and even the batch. Therefore, before closing the entire required volume, test with 100 grams of material.

For mixing use cold water .

When mixing the mortar, it is definitely worth strive for uniformity. However, overdoing it is also fraught: there is an opinion that too long and thorough mixing, especially with a mixer, breaks the structure of the alabaster, as a result of which it loses its strength.

How to prolong the viability of alabaster solution?

Novice craftsmen, as well as private traders without experience and building dexterity, when working with alabaster, often wonder if it is possible to slow down the hardening of the mortar a little.

And there really are such ways. Some of them are quite scientific, some refer to "folk" methods, which, nevertheless, have shown themselves well in practice.

Method 1. Bone glue.

A good old tool, approved by more than one generation of builders. When mixing, any bone-based glue is added, whether it be slightly diluted paint or carpentry. The main thing is the dosage: 2% of the total weight of the mixture.

Method 2. Citric acid

The recipe is as follows: for 0.5 cups of alabaster, take 4-5 grains citric acid and throw while kneading in cold water. However, the masters note that, with apparent simplicity, the method is not universal, since the amount of acid must be selected for a specific alabaster mixture, that is, tests and experiments are required.

Method 3. PVA glue

Here the builders are divided into two camps. Some say that 3% PVA per mixture mass gives an excellent result, that is, they prolong the viability of the solution by almost several times and in the future do not affect its strength in any way. Others object to them - they say that the film that PVA forms on the surface during drying can block the evaporation of water, so that recrystallization and coarsening of sodium sulfate hydrate crystals are likely, and this leads to a deterioration in strength characteristics.

How to choose and where to buy?

It would seem that alabaster is a simple mixture, without chemicals, without plasticizers, take the first bag of any brand that comes across and go ahead, because it is difficult to spoil the material. However, there are still nuances in the choice.

1. Since alabaster is extremely susceptible to moisture, it must be stored in a dry place. So it is advisable to purchase the mixture in stores, and not in the markets, where the tightness of containers often leaves much to be desired, and even more so not at the sites under open sky
2. Check the integrity of the packaging carefully, because at the slightest violation of it, there is a chance that the material has partially or completely lost its properties.
3. As simple as the alabaster mixture is, It is worth choosing not only by price, but also by the manufacturer: large manufacturers are a priority, since they, thanks to an established and regulated production, are ready to ensure quality stability, while for noname brands, the quality can greatly “dance” from batch to batch.
4. Give back preference for brands, on the packages of which the proportions for mixing their mixture are indicated, because, despite the norms of SNiP, recommendations may vary.

Alabaster is a building material widely used for leveling and filling walls. It is a type of gypsum, so these concepts are often confused. Let's break these materials down.

Are gypsum and alabaster the same thing?

Gypsum is calcium sulfate hydrate, a natural material widely used in many sectors of life and industry. Building mixtures are made from gypsum, it is used by sculptors, gypsum is also known in medicine.

Gypsum is a wide group of materials with different impurities, compositions and applications.

Alabaster - what is it? This is a kind of gypsum mineral used in construction, has a narrow specific application. That is, errors in the substitution of concepts, according to by and large, No. Just gypsum is a broad concept, and alabaster is a narrow one.

Characteristics of alabaster

When choosing construction and finishing materials professionals primarily focus on the technical performance of dry mixes and working solutions.

Building plaster properties:

• Composition - calcium compound hemihydrate;
• Compressive strength (average) - 4.0 MPa;
• Bending strength - 2.0 MPa;
• Brand binder (gypsum) - G4 and above;
• Color - white or light gray (almost white);
• Water consumption per 1 kg of dry mix - 0.65-0.70 liters;
• Setting time 6-30 minutes from start to finish.

General performance properties of building gypsum (alabaster):

• The solution fits well on the prepared surface of any material;
• High adhesion;
• Surfaces can be given a perfectly smooth state in short time(up to 5 minutes);
• When dried, alabaster does not crack, does not dry out and does not change its volume at all;
• The solidified mortar layer absorbs noise, so it can be used as additional remedy protection of premises from sounds;
• Alabaster is warm to the touch, prevents heat loss.

The use of alabaster

We have already found out that alabaster is a building material used in the repair and construction of residential and public buildings, namely:

• As dry mixes for the preparation of plaster and putty solutions;
• To repair cracks, potholes;
• Alabaster is part of the gypsum partitions for interior and exterior partitions.

Building gypsum has found application in finishing and repair work due to fast setting properties and perfect surface leveling, as well as good adhesion. An alabaster layer prepares the base for wallpaper, tiles, decorative plaster in bathrooms, bathrooms and living rooms, bedrooms.

The surface of the hardened building gypsum must not be exposed to moisture. When arranging walls in bathrooms, alabaster should be insulated with tiled lining.

How to breed alabaster

The overall result of the finish and the convenience of work depend on the correct preparation of the working solution. There are several subtleties in this matter.

Proportions

SNiP regulates the amount of water for mixing a solution of alabaster plaster in the amount of 1 kg of dry mix per 0.65 liters of liquid. This proportion is appropriate for the preparation of putty and plaster mortar.

For mixing the installation and repair mortar, the proportions of 1 kg of dry alabaster per 0.5 liters of water are suitable.

To make a liquid putty mortar, you need to take water and a mixture in a 1: 1 ratio.

To extend the setting time of the solution, 2% of the volume of carpentry glue of animal origin, such as bone, can be added to it.

Choice of dishes

Before you dilute alabaster, you need to choose the right dishes. A metal container is definitely not suitable for kneading - the solution will stick to it as it dries, and it is not easy to clean such a plaque.

For the preparation of the working mixture, a plastic, or better, a rubber container is suitable. In order not to dirty the vessel, one should lay a dense plastic bag, hooking it on the edges of a bucket or basin.

Professionals note: alabaster does not stick to rubber. If you need to prepare a single portion of the material, use a cut rubber ball.

Proper kneading

How to breed building plaster:

• Pour the required measured amount of water into the container;
• Gradually introducing the dry mixture, stir the solution with a spatula; for large volumes, use a construction mixer or a drill with a nozzle;
• Introduce the dry mix until a suitable paste consistency is obtained.

For plaster, the mixture should take on the consistency of sour cream - the same plastic and moderately soft.

Working with mortar

With diluted alabaster, you can plaster a wall, close up a gap or a pothole, fill a strobe.

How to cover the cracks with alabaster:

1. The strobe / gap / pothole must be cleaned with a stiff brush from exfoliating material, sweep the dust with a soft bristle.
2. Handle work surface primer deep penetration. It will improve the adhesion of materials and protect the repair area from further delamination.
3. Mix the working solution. For repairs, we use a mixture to water ratio of 1:0.5.
4. Apply the mortar with a spatula in the direction of the gap, remove excess mixture with a transverse movement and level the surface.

Working with alabaster is no different from using others plaster mixtures. To coat the surface of the structure, dilute the solution 1:1 and apply thin layer by means of a spatula.

How long does alabaster dry

As stated in technical specifications, the drying time of alabaster from the moment of initial setting to hardening is 5-30 minutes. That is, the solution must have time to work out in 5 minutes. If the gypsum began to harden in a bucket, it is useless to dilute it, such material must be thrown away.

Experienced craftsmen close up to 5 kg of the mixture at a time, for local repair some alabaster should be prepared.

To extend the setting time of the solution, as already mentioned, glue of animal origin will help. For 1 kg of dry mixture, it is enough to introduce a tablespoon of bone glue. For quality finished material it will have no effect.

For many people who are inexperienced in repair and construction matters, the question often arises: what is the difference between such Construction Materials like plaster and alabaster? And why is it written on the top of the bags “gypsum plaster”, and below - “alabaster”?

In order not to get lost in terms, you need to figure out what gypsum and alabaster really are, whether there are differences between them and, if so, which ones.

Gypsum - origin, application

Gypsum is a dry composition made on the basis of a natural mineral - gypsum stone. The mineral is calcium sulfate dihydrate - CaSO4 2H2O with impurities in the form of oxides of silicon, aluminum and iron.

Gypsum is a mineral of sedimentary origin. In nature, it is most often found in the form of elongated prism-shaped crystals, although it sometimes forms in the form of dense tablet or scaly aggregations. The mineral is quite soft, easy to grind.

Large deposits of gypsum stone are located in countries such as Iran, USA, Canada, Turkey, Spain. In Russia, deposits of this rock are located in the Kama and Volga regions, Tatarstan, on the western slopes Ural mountains and in the Krasnodar Territory.

An astringent is obtained from a natural mineral - in fact, the gypsum that we all know. It is a powder of white, cream or grayish color (depending on the impurities present), which, when mixed with water, turns into a plastic mass that quickly hardens in air.

The method of using ground gypsum depends on what exactly it is planned to be used for:

• "raw" gypsum is used in medicine for fixing fractures, as well as in agriculture- scatter in the fields to normalize the acidity of the soil;
• in the form of "building gypsum" it is used during repair and finishing works, for the production of wall slabs and blocks, cornices, stucco moldings.

Also, the mineral is widely used in paper and chemical industry: in the production of cement, sulfuric acid, glazes and paints.

Natural gypsum is fibrous and granular. For the production of alabaster, fine-grained gypsum is used - alabaster. Construction alabaster has a finer grinding and is the same calcium sulfate, but not dihydrate, but hemihydrate - CaSO4 0.5H2O. It is obtained by roasting crushed natural alabaster at temperatures up to 180 degrees.

Thus, the alabaster that we acquire in hardware store, in a broad sense, is gypsum, but not every gypsum can be called alabaster.

Building gypsum has the following characteristics:

• Density (true) is 2.6 - 2.76 g / cu. cm. At the same time, in a loose-filled form, the density is 0.85 - 1.15 g / cu. cm, and in compacted - 1, 245 - 1.455 g / cu. cm.
• Gypsum products have high fire resistance - they are destroyed only after 6-8 hours of exposure high temperature. Designs withstand heating up to 600-700 degrees without destruction.
• The compressive strength of building gypsum is 4-6 MPa, high-strength gypsum - 15-40 MPa.
• Gypsum and products made from it do not conduct heat well, its heat transfer coefficient in the temperature range from 15 to 45 degrees is only 0.259 kcal/m deg/h.
• Drying speed. After mixing with water, the gypsum mortar begins to set after 4 minutes and within the next half hour it completely hardens. Therefore, you need to work with such a solution very quickly.

Grades and properties of building gypsum

The normative document regulating the properties and quality of building gypsum binders is GOST 125-79. The industry produces 12 brands of alabaster, differing in compressive fracture strength.

The indicators are shown in the table:

Gypsum brand	Tensile strength of beam specimens 40 × 40 × 160 mm in size at the age of 2 hours,MPa, not less
	compression	bend
G-2	2	1,2
G-3	3	1,8
G-4	4	2,0
G-5	5	2,5
G-6	6	3,0
G-7	7	3,5
G-10	10	4,5
G-13	13	5,5
G-16	16	6,0
G-19	19	6,5
G-22	22	7,0
G-25	25	8,0

An important indicator is the setting time of the binder.

Depending on it, the following types of building gypsum are distinguished:

• A - fast-hardening (beginning no earlier than 2 minutes, end - no later than 15 minutes).
• B - normally hardening (setting begins no earlier than 6 minutes, end - no later than 30 minutes).
• B - slowly hardening (the beginning of setting is not earlier than 20 minutes, the end is not standardized).

The degree of grinding is also normalized:

Thus, according to the brand of binder, all its main characteristics can be determined.

For example, the bag says: Г-6 В II.

This means that we have a material with the following characteristics:

• strength not less than 6 and not more than 7 MPa;
• slowly hardening;
• medium grind.

Varieties of gypsum

Gypsum binders are used not only pure form, but also with various additives, allowing you to change their properties.

Currently on sale you can find gypsum of the following varieties:

• Construction - for the production of gypsum building materials and for carrying out plastering works. Such material is good because it does not form cracks when dried. Lime is often added to it, which gives the mixture plasticity. The material is mainly used for interior decoration dry rooms.
• High-strength - a binder with large crystals, providing the final product with less porosity and, accordingly, greater strength. This material used for the construction of fireproof partitions, molds for the production of faience and porcelain sanitary products. It is also used in traumatology and dentistry.
• Polymer gypsum is a binder with the addition of polymers. Often used in traumatology. Dressings with such gypsum are much lighter than ordinary gypsum ones, allow the skin to breathe, are not afraid of moisture, are permeable to X-rays (they allow you to control the process of bone fusion).

• Sculptural - the most high-strength gypsum, practically free of impurities. The material has a high degree of whiteness and is used to make figurines. Sculptures, souvenirs, as well as in the automotive and aviation industries. This binder is the basis of dry putty mixtures.
• Acrylic gypsum - obtained by adding water-soluble acrylic resin to the binder. Externally, it is practically indistinguishable from ordinary gypsum, but much lighter. Because of this, it is often used for ceiling moldings. The material is frost-resistant and has low water absorption, therefore it can be used for work on building facades.

Thus, alabaster is one of the varieties of gypsum, which is mainly used in construction. It has greater hardness than natural gypsum, but is less widely used.