Specific weight of gypsum in 1 m³. Weight of gypsum stone

In nature, gypsum occurs as a white or light-colored rock. It is formed from the mineral of the same name, which consists of calcium sulfate and crystallization water. Because water is part of its crystal structure, natural gypsum is known as calcium sulfate dihydrate. In addition to bound water, free moisture may be present on the surface and in the pores of gypsum, and its amount changes depending on storage conditions and the environment.

Besides the main components, gypsum may contain impurities such as quartz, carbonates, limestone, dolomite, sulfur, clay and bituminous inclusions. These impurities can give the raw material different shades. Their amount in natural gypsum can vary significantly depending on the deposit.

Older reference descriptions of natural gypsum note that free surface and pore moisture may reach about 10 - 15%, while foreign impurities can sometimes be in the range of 1 - 25%. These values depend on the deposit, storage conditions and raw material preparation.

Gypsum has a soft and fairly viscous structure. Several varieties are usually distinguished:

• gypsum in the form of large crystals;
• fine-fibrous gypsum, or selenite;
• granular gypsum.

One of the best-known granular gypsum varieties is alabaster. It is used for modeling, finishing work and decorative elements. The material easily takes the desired shape and hardens quickly, which makes it convenient for small construction and interior products.

Quality characteristics of gypsum

Production of building gypsum involves heating gypsum stone. During calcination, the material partially loses water, becomes more friable and is easier to grind. The powder is then mixed with water to obtain a uniform plastic mass that sets quickly.

Using gypsum in construction has several advantages:

• short setting time;
• the ability to paint decorative elements in different colors;
• low density and relatively light structures;
• low sensitivity to high temperatures;
• good sound insulation properties;
• non-toxic in normal use;
• ability to retain heat.

Gypsum is often used in construction. It can serve as the basis for partitions, dry plaster, boards and other products, and it can also be used as an auxiliary component in mixtures.

Despite its advantages, gypsum also has drawbacks:

• low resistance to constant moisture exposure;
• relatively low mechanical strength;
• short working time of the prepared mortar.

When working over large areas, the quick setting of gypsum can make application and leveling more difficult.

Density and specific weight of gypsum

Gypsum materials are produced from gypsum stone of a certain particle-size composition. Large pieces of raw material are usually crushed and ground further to obtain material suitable for processing.

In practice, gypsum stone for processing may arrive as large pieces of about 50 - 300 mm, while smaller fractions of about 5 - 50 mm are also used in production. Specific requirements depend on the plant technology and the type of product made.

To calculate batch weight, transport load and consumption, the volumetric weight of gypsum must be considered. For reference calculations, gypsum density can be taken as about 2320 kg/m³, while gypsum stone is approximately 2200 - 2400 kg/m³. The actual value depends on porosity, moisture, impurities and the degree of grinding.