natural gypsum

Types of Natural Gypsum

Natural gypsum is a mineral that consists of calcium sulfate dihydrate, which means it contains water. This natural gypsum is used in different industries. For example, it is used in the construction industry, agricultural industry, and pharmaceutical industry. Natural gypsum is extracted from the earth and is also known as gypsum rock. It is extensively used for making products like gypsum boards and plasters.

There are different types of natural gypsum, and they include;

• Phospho gypsum: This is the waste product of phosphate rock that is extracted from the ore through sulfuric acid treatment. It contains similar amounts of sulfur as phosphates, which are beneficial for plants. Phospho gypsum has about 90% to 95% of sulfuric calcium and 5% to 10% of phosphoric acid. While phospho gypsum is a waste product, it has the potential to be used in different applications. For instance, the construction industry uses it to make gypsum board. It can also be used as fertilizer in agriculture.
• Fluoro-gypsum: This results from the acidulation of the fluorspar ore during the extraction process. It contains free gypsum and calcium sulfate, with sulfuric calcium ranging from 70% to 95%. Like phospho-gypsum, fluoro-gypsum is also a waste product. However, it can be used in applications similar to those of phospho-gypsum. For example, it can be utilized in construction to produce gypsum cement or as fertilizer in agriculture.
• By-product gypsum: By-product gypsum is a waste product from various industrial processes. It is classified into two types: acid by-product gypsum and sulfur by-product gypsum. The two types of by-product gypsum are used in several applications. For instance, sulfur by-product gypsum can be used to produce sulfur and calcium for agricultural applications. It can also be used to produce wallboard.
• Natural (mined) gypsum: This is the most common type of gypsum. It is mined and found in large deposits. Mined gypsum is used in many applications, especially in construction. For instance, it is used to make drywall and plaster.
• Recycled gypsum: This type of gypsum is obtained from recycled products. It involves the complete recycling of gypsum products to create new ones. Although it is difficult to recycle gypsum, this type is used in construction and agriculture.

Functions and features of natural gypsum

• Natural Gypsum is Fire Resistant

  Gypsum's unique qualities make it an excellent and popular material in the construction industry. This material is now widely used to create walls and ceilings in residential and commercial buildings. Natural gypsum drywall is used in construction because it is fire resistant.

• Moisture Control

  Natural gypsum is a popular material used to manufacture drywall. This is because it is affordable and offers many benefits in construction. One of the benefits of gypsum drywall is that it controls moisture. Some areas in homes, like kitchens and bathrooms, are prone to moisture. Special moisture-resistant gypsum board is used in these areas.

• Sound Control

  Gypsum walls and ceilings are used in residential and commercial building construction. They help prevent sound from going through. This is known as sound attenuation. Soundproof gypsum board or drywall is beneficial in places like hotels, offices, and recording studios. It helps to create a quiet environment.

• Easy to Work With

  Natural gypsum is used to make drywall, which is an easy-to-use building material. Gypsum drywall is easy to cut, hang, and finish. This helps to reduce construction time and increase productivity on the construction site. This ease of use also means that less skilled labor is required to install gypsum drywall.

• Eco-friendly

  Natural gypsum is an abundant mineral. It is mined and processed to make products like drywall. This process uses less energy compared to other building materials. Gypsum drywall is also recyclable. At the end of a building's life cycle, the gypsum drywall can be recycled to make new drywall.

• Aesthetic Versatility

  Natural gypsum is used to manufacture drywall or plaster. This building material comes in different forms and finishes. For instance, textured, smooth, or decorative finishes. This makes gypsum drywall a versatile material that meets the aesthetic needs of architects, building designers, and homeowners.

Scenarios of Natural Gypsum

Natural gypsum is widely used in various industries. Here are some common usage scenarios:

• Construction

  Natural gypsum is used to manufacture gypsum board (drywall), which is widely used in building and construction. It is also used to make plaster of Paris and mineral binders. These products are used for finishing walls, ceilings, and other applications in construction.

• Agriculture

  Natural gypsum is used to improve soil structure and reduce acidity in agricultural fields. It provides plants with calcium and sulfur nutrients, which are important for their growth. Gypsum is also used to reduce runoff and erosion in agricultural fields.

• Environmental applications

  Gypsum is used in wastewater treatment plants to remove and settle phosphorous. It helps to form flocs that can be easily removed from water. It is also used to treat animal waste and reduce odors in manure. Additionally, gypsum is used to reclaim saline and sodic soils in agriculture.

• Cement production

  Natural gypsum is added to clinker during cement production to control the setting time of cement. It ensures that the cement hardens appropriately during construction. Gypsum is also used in the production of plaster and stucco.

• Interior design

  Gypsum is used to manufacture decorative elements like moldings, castings, and cornices. These elements are used to decorate and finish interior spaces. Additionally, gypsum boards with different finishes are used to construct partition walls.

• Fire prevention

  Gypsum walls are used in buildings to prevent fire spread and improve safety. They contain water molecules that help to extinguish fires. This wall is approved for use in residential and commercial buildings.

• Other applications

  Natural gypsum is used in the food industry as a coagulant in tofu processing and as a food additive. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry to make tablets and capsules. Additionally, gypsum is used in the cosmetic industry to make facial masks and creams.

How to Choose Natural Gypsum

Choosing the right gypsum product requires careful consideration of several factors. Natural gypsum has many applications, and understanding each application's requirements will help one choose the right product.

• Application Needs

  Natural gypsum is used in different industries, and each application has specific requirements. For instance, in agriculture, it is important to choose a product that is free of contaminants and suitable for specific soil types. For this reason, farmers and agriculture industry stakeholders should consider their soil needs before choosing a gypsum product.

  In construction, gypsum is used to manufacture drywall and plaster. It is important to choose a gypsum product that meets the construction needs and is easy to work with. This is also applicable in the manufacturing industry where gypsum is used to produce different products. For instance, gypsum is used to make cement, which is an important construction material.

• Purity and Quality

  It is important to consider the purity and quality of natural gypsum. This is because impurities and contaminants negatively affect the performance of natural gypsum. For instance, in agriculture, contaminated gypsum leads to poor crop yield and stunted growth in plants. Natural gypsum with a high level of calcium sulfate is preferable since it is pure and produces better results.

• Physical Properties

  The physical properties of natural gypsum affect its performance in different applications. Factors like fineness, particle size and morphology are important considerations when choosing gypsum for a specific application. For example, in agriculture, farmers should choose the right particle size and shape of gypsum to improve soil aeration and drainage.

• Availability and Cost

  The cost and availability of natural gypsum products vary. It is important to find a balance between affordability and quality to ensure optimum results. Remember that cheaper options may have impurities that affect the performance of gypsum.

• Environmental Impact

  Natural gypsum is preferred because it is environmentally friendly. However, it is important to consider the environmental impact of mining and manufacturing processes. This is important to ensure sustainability and responsible sourcing of gypsum products.

Natural Gypsum Q&A

Q1. What is the difference between gypsum and natural gypsum?

A1. Gypsum is a sedimentary rock that contains calcium sulfate. It is used to make things like plaster, wallboard, and cement. Natural gypsum is a mineral rock that is used to make calcium sulfate in the form of powder. Gypsum and natural gypsum are the same, but natural gypsum is a product of gypsum.

Q2. What are the types of natural gypsum?

A2. There are several types of natural gypsum: White gypsum, black gypsum, and selenite gypsum. They are classified according to color and appearance.

Q3. What are the applications of natural gypsum?

A3. Natural gypsum has several applications in different industries. It is widely used in the construction industry to manufacture drywall and plaster. Gypsum is also used in agriculture to improve soil structure and provide essential nutrients to plants. It is also used in the food industry as a coagulant in the production of tofu and as an anticaking agent in table salt.

Q4. What are the advantages of natural gypsum?

A4. Natural gypsum is an environmentally friendly product. It is 100 percent recyclable, and its products can be recycled into new gypsum products. Natural gypsum is fire-resistant, which helps slow the spread of fires. It is also beneficial to human health.