Plaster of Paris is also known as gypsum plaster. Gypsum has the very useful property of becoming plastic like mass when heated up to 175ºC. At this temperature it loses about 3/4th of the water molecules. The product thus obtained is known as Plaster of Paris. It can be mixed with water, spread and cast into different forms and sizes. It can be mixed with expanded perlite and vermiculite and made into wall plaster and castings. There are three qualities of Plaster of Paris used for making various items & for decorating purposes especially in construction industry are given as under;
Type Start of setting in Setting time Volume change
A-fast setting 2 min 15 min +1%
B-regular setting 6 min 30 min +1%
C-slow setting 20 min 90 min +2%
Three grades of Plaster of Paris are generally known and manufactured:
· Surgical
· Technical
· Commercial
Plaster of Paris is core raw material used for the making of Plaster of Paris Tile, Boarders, Trims, Medallions and Misc Made ups. It is a sculpting material with a variety of decorative and practical applications. Plaster of Paris is inexpensive and simple to work with. It can be used to decorate a finished product with paint or embellish it with beads, stones and wire.
Applications
Common uses for plaster of Paris include making castings for other artistic mediums, creating sculptures and making home décor objects. One common use for plaster of Paris is to make decorative castings to be used as embellishments, jewellery charms and pendants. Plaster of Paris was use as fireproofing agent for protections from early decades. Plaster produces water vapour when it is exposed to fire thus slow down the spreading of fire. It also acts as an insulator material to heat. Plasters have been in use in passive fire protection, as fireproofing products, for many decades. The finished plaster releases water vapour when exposed to flame, acting to slow the spread of the fire, for as much as an hour or two depending on thickness.
Plaster of Paris was use as fireproofing agent for protections from early decades. Plaster produces water vapour when it is exposed to fire thus slow down the spreading of fire. It also acts as an insulator material to heat. Plasters have been in use in passive fire protection, as fireproofing products, for many decades.
Market Scenario
As there is growing building construction activity thus requiring large quantities of Plaster of Paris. Demand for the product is also increasing in making mould & models. There is also considerable demand for the plaster of Paris arising from a large number of studies and establishments engaged in making statutes and interior decoration as well as decorative plaster boards for false ceiling etc, which is in turn creating a good scope for setting up new units in this line of manufacture.
The demand for Plaster of Paris products are continuously growing with the growth of construction industry. It is, therefore, imperative that a coordinated effort be made to improve quality & productivity of these products with innovative designs & idea in the country to serve the construction industry needs with the subsequent result of achieving job creation and economic growth.