What are the Uses of Plaster of Paris?

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

Plaster of Paris is used to fix gapes in roofs/walls of houses. Decorative materials and ornaments can be made using plaster of paris. The designing products in the fire protection system uses it.

Plaster of Paris (CaSO₄.1/2H₂O):

Gauze bandages and sculpting tools are made of plaster of Paris, the chemical compound that is most frequently utilised. We can observe that this substance has a wide range of applications in our daily lives if we try to understand its chemistry. Using gypsum as an example, plaster of paris is a white, powdery chemical substance that is hydrated calcium sulphate. In other words, we can say that plaster of paris is typically made by heating gypsum to a high temperature. Gypsum is calcined to create it chemically. (CaSO₄.1/2H₂O).

Table of content

1. What are the Uses of Plaster of Paris?

Properties of Plaster of Paris

The following are some of the crucial characteristics of plaster of paris:

Typically white in colour and accessible as a powder.
Gypsum develops crystals when water is introduced, which causes it to solidify.
Sodium chloride can catalyse the exothermic setting process. Alum or borax are used to retard plaster of Paris.
At 473K, calcium sulphate anhydrous is formed in plaster of paris. The lifeless, burned plaster of Paris is another name for this.

Uses of Plaster of Paris:

It is used to repair a variety of gaps in structures’ walls, roofs, and floors.
It is employed in the production of casting for a variety of decorations and decorative materials.
It is applied when creating goods for fire safety systems.

Summary:-