CAST

 Gypsum is a term that comes from the Latin gypsum , although its origin dates back to the Greek language. It is hydrated calcium sulfate, which is usually white and is compact or earthy.

Gypsum dehydrates through the action of fire and hardens quickly when mixed with water. This material is used in the field of construction, in artistic sculpture and in medicine (to keep a broken bone in place after a fracture).

As an industrial product, gypsum is calcium sulfate hemihydrate and is often referred to as baked gypsum. It is sold in powder form, that is, ground.

However, it should not be forgotten that there are many different types of plaster that are used by construction professionals. Among the most significant are black, matte, crystallized or white.

Among the uses of plaster, its use as a paste for plasters, trimmings or joints and for the prefabrication of ceiling panels can be highlighted. Gypsum also works as a thermal insulator and can be used in the manufacture of cement. For example: “The masons asked me to buy more plaster for the work since there is still a lot of work to be done” , “I am going to apply plaster in Maria's room so that it doesn't get so cold at night” .

At present, it should be noted that, within the construction field, there has been a growth in demand for a product called plasterboard, which is precisely made up of laminated plasterboard. It is used both to create partitions or false ceilings and to insulate, thermally and acoustically, a room, or even to make furniture and shelves.

Among the reasons that explain that plasterboard has become a true benchmark in the aforementioned sector is the fact that it is installed quickly and without the need for major works, has a much cheaper price than other materials, is clean and has a great resistance.

All this cannot make us ignore the fact that there are also a series of expressions in this field that use the word plaster. Thus, for example, we could highlight the verbal phrase “wash plaster”, which is used to refer to the fact that a certain wall is being covered with plaster.

The artists appeal to plaster for the elaboration and reproduction of sculptures: “Here we can see how the sculptor imagined the face of Christ and captured it in the plaster” , “My mother bought a plaster Buddha to place in the garden” .

Lastly, in the health field , plaster is used to make denture molds and as a splint to immobilize the bone and facilitate its regeneration after a fracture: “Javier had to be put in a cast because he broke his leg while playing to football ” , “ I am very happy: tomorrow they will take off my cast and I will be able to use my arm comfortably again ” .

In the case of dentistry, it should be noted that basically three different types of plaster are used: normal, extra-hard and Paris. The latter is the most widely used and among its properties are that it is ideal for assembling and that it has a medium level of porosity and brittleness.