Alabaster is a building gypsum, a material without the use of which it is impossible to imagine today finishing work or renovation of premises. The word alabaster is of ancient Egyptian origin. Already in those days it was used in construction and architecture. In Egyptian pyramids and other religious buildings many objects made of alabaster are found.
Features of alabaster:
If alabaster is cut into thin sheets, then at a certain temperature it is transparent. In the Middle Ages, in this form it was used for windows, instead of glass. Even nowadays large sheets alabaster is used for church windows. Thus, in 2002, the Los Angeles Cathedral was consecrated, with large thin sheets of alabaster inserted into the windows. To make it transparent, the cathedral windows are equipped with special system cooling.
Usually alabaster is white, but there is a unique deposit of green alabaster in Mexico. In addition to green alabaster, three deposits of black alabaster have been found in nature in Italy, China and the USA.
Artificial building alabaster is produced from natural gypsum in special apparatus when heated. A coarser powder with impurities is alabaster, also known as building gypsum. Pure, finely ground powder is called medical plaster.
Construction alabaster is used as a binder for plastering walls and ceilings, making cloisonne panels, as well as gypsum particle boards and gypsum fiber boards. As finishing material alabaster is unrivaled among the numerous analogues that fill today construction market. With the help of alabaster, any problem areas on the walls and ceiling can be easily eliminated.
Ventilation ducts and dry sheets of plaster are made from construction alabaster. Lightweight, fireproof ventilation ducts and suspended ceilings made of alabaster make up an important, irreplaceable in quality, technical filling of multi-story buildings.
A solution of alabaster in water hardens very quickly. Alabaster is indispensable for electrical installation work, they are used to rub over the grooves and secure socket outlets in electrical boxes.
Alabaster is indispensable for interior decoration in the form of stucco. Various parts and elements of fairly heavy weight are made from it; nothing can fix them better than alabaster. Made from alabaster beautiful cornices that decorate any interior. Moldings are made from this material. This is the name for stucco molding in the form of a convex plank. Moldings are used in expensive, unusual interiors. Alabaster is used to make pilasters and columns - details of an elegant interior.
The role of alabaster in restoration work is great. Restore vintage interiors Quality is only possible when using natural materials. Therefore, in the restoration of architectural structures, temples, palaces with precious stucco, a huge amount of alabaster is used.
Alabaster is indispensable in art, since the times Ancient Greece the sculptures are made of alabaster. When restoring sculptures, an alabaster solution is used, prepared according to ancient methods. It is easy to apply patterns on polished alabaster; just drop water on it.
Alabaster - fire resistant building material, it prevents fire. Alabaster is the ideal ecological building material. Since alabaster has no chemical additives, it is not capable of harming health. Alabaster has an amazing ability to breathe. It absorbs water from humid air and releases it back when the room becomes very dry.
The disadvantage of alabaster is its demanding storage conditions; it easily becomes damp. It should be stored in dry rooms high above the floor. Shelf life is short.
Alabaster solution is made by adding water to alabaster, the amount depends on the construction task, for example, for electrical work you need to make a thick solution. Since alabaster solution hardens very quickly, it is always made in small quantities. The old finishing masters have a construction trick that prolongs the liquid state of the alabaster solution. They add wallpaper glue to the solution and tightly cover the vessel with polyethylene.
Plasterboard is made from alabaster, which is used for suspended ceilings and prefabricated structures. Drywall is a layer of plaster between cardboard surfaces. They built from this material back in Ancient Rome.
Drywall replaces many building materials and is easy to install. Decorates well various pipes and electrical wiring. Arches are made from plasterboard. Main disadvantage drywall its fragility.
Alabaster is quite widely used in construction as part of dry mixtures. Nowadays, self-leveling floors are fashionable; they are also made using alabaster.
The range of uses of alabaster in construction, interior decoration, and interior decoration is unusually wide. Methods of application have remained unchanged since ancient times. All artificial building materials invented during this time cannot replace natural alabaster.
Alabaster application video:
If you are renovating your house or apartment, then it is impossible to do without alabaster. Where is this material obtained from? Is it harmful to human health? Alabaster - what is it? The answers to all these questions are given below.
Material characteristics
A building material distinguished by its viscosity and obtained from gypsum is called alabaster. Very often it is used for the manufacture of various products, as well as for repair work. Construction gypsum is another name for the material.
The basis of alabaster is gypsum - by its origin natural material. Construction gypsum (alabaster) is an environmentally friendly substance that does not cause any harm to human health. It is characterized by excellent sound insulation and water resistance. The area is quite wide. It is used in production various forms, construction products.
When carrying out repair work, the material is ideal for sealing cracks, leveling floors and walls. When dry, the alabaster solution is not susceptible to cracking and forms a thin, even and smooth layer that is applied to a clean treated surface, which, if required, is covered
Having studied the characteristics of the material, you can easily answer the question of what alabaster is.
Excursion into history
Alabaster has been used as a building material since ancient times. Its natural softness makes its processing simple and does not require complex and durable tools. The material was used to make sculptures, vessels, etc. Calcite was used for this. Now he is in little demand. Gypsum alabaster is popular in construction.
Methods for obtaining alabaster
Construction gypsum looks like a powder obtained from For this, it is fired and then crushed. The main advantage of alabaster, which distinguishes it from similar materials, is its rapid hardening. This is worth remembering when studying the question of how to breed alabaster.
This property of the material must be taken into account when creating gypsum dough, before pouring it into molds. Usually the solution is prepared in a ratio of 2/1, where 2 parts are alabaster, and 1 part is cold water. It should be remembered that the gypsum solution must be used as soon as possible, otherwise it will harden. If you need to increase the setting time, then animal glue is added to the alabaster in small quantities.
Pros and cons of alabaster
Construction gypsum is used for repair work in premises where people will subsequently live.
The disadvantages of the material include low strength and low moisture resistance. These disadvantages can be reduced by using special additives.
Where can I buy building plaster?
Manufacturers produce about 10 different brands of alabaster. You can buy it in construction stores, packed in bags of various weights. Construction plaster should be stored in a dry place, well protected from moisture, preferably no more than 6 months.
Scope of application of building gypsum
Alabaster - what is it, where do manufacturers get the raw materials for its production? Natural gypsum is extracted from quarries, which is subjected to subsequent heat treatment. Subsequently, in special mills, the annealed gypsum is crushed into fine powder.
Alabaster is used for leveling walls, floors, and ceilings in rooms with minimal air humidity. It is excellent for making stucco and gypsum fiber boards.
The moisture resistance of building gypsum can be increased by adding synthetic resins or organosilicon compounds to the solution. Covering films and impregnations made from alabaster are also popular. Products made from alabaster are fire-resistant and are destroyed by fire only after 6 hours of intense heating. Therefore, they are often used as fire retardant coatings.
As with any other material, there are many nuances when using this one that should be studied if you are going to work with it and want to know: alabaster - what it is.
How to prepare gypsum dough
A solution of building gypsum is prepared at the rate of 1 kg of material per 0.5 liters of water. First, water is poured into the container, and then the material is carefully poured into it, while stirring it so that lumps do not form. The mixture should have the consistency of sour cream. The decision on how to breed alabaster must be taken very seriously. The final result of the work will largely depend on this.
We should not forget that the solution hardens within half an hour, and sometimes faster. If the prepared mixture has thickened, then it should not be diluted with water, and this is unlikely to happen. To increase the setting time of the solution, you can add a little carpentry or wallpaper glue to it.
To improve the water resistance of an alabaster product, it can be painted or coated with a special moisture-proof paste.
The gypsum dough is applied with a spatula or trowel; after finishing the work, the tool must be rinsed well.
Alabaster should be stored in rooms where air humidity does not exceed 60%.
Conclusion
By adopting the rules for working with alabaster and adhering to them, you can qualitatively carry out all the required construction or renovation work.
Soft white, sometimes with a grayish tint, building gypsum - alabaster - used in different areas construction. How to dilute alabaster correctly so that the resulting consistency is as beneficial as possible?
First, let's take a closer look at the material itself. Alabaster is based on a natural mineral, which gives confidence in its environmental friendliness and safety of use. In addition, alabaster has unique waterproof and soundproofing qualities.
Before purchasing this material, make sure that it is of high quality and free of dirt. This is especially true if it is needed for walls as a leveler for various depressions. We advise you to take it with the mark on the package “Purified mixture”. This means that the mixture will be easy to mix, seal cracks well, and last a long time.
Process nuances
It is best to dilute alabaster in a soft rubber container. A small ball cut in half would work well. Alabaster will be easily removed from such a container without leaving dried marks on the walls. There is a possibility that if you dilute alabaster in a hard, for example, plastic container, it will deteriorate and become unsuitable for anything. If it is not possible to get a ball, prepare a pan or bucket. Before diluting the alabaster, insert a plastic bag into this bucket, which can be thrown away after use, and the container will remain clean. It is better to fix this bag to the edges of the bucket stationery clips or a tight hose.
Pay attention! Construction alabaster sets quickly. It cannot be re-diluted with water.
Proportions
The process of mixing alabaster is similar to the procedure for making putty, paste and other mixtures. For efficient work With this building material, it is necessary to choose the right proportions. Building codes a rule has been written indicating that 1 kg of dry alabaster will require 0.5–0.65 liters of water. Instead of water, you can use lime mortar.
After kneading, you need to wait half a minute for the components to react. Then get to work immediately. Basically, on the finished site where the work was done, alabaster dries in 3 hours. But much depends on the thickness of the layer, as well as the humidity and temperature of the room.
The construction mixture should be added to a container with water, rather than pouring water into a container with the mixture. It is best to mix using a drill with a mixer attachment. If the container is small, a small spatula will do. Lumps are not allowed!
Video
Below you can see how to plant alabaster in order to “freeze” the socket box:
Or for making small sculptures. The technology for preparing the solution is quite simple. The main thing is to know in what ratio the components are mixed. It is worth noting that gypsum is the main material for making crafts.
What is gypsum
Before answering the question of how to properly dilute plaster for crafts, it is worth understanding what kind of material it is. First of all, it is very plastic. Gypsum can be applied to almost any type of surface. The material is easy to process and hardens quickly. Gypsum is used in many industries: as a fertilizer, as one of the components of paper and pulp production, as a component of enamels and paints. The material is also used for the manufacture of internal decorative elements. Gypsum is often used as a binder in construction.
Disadvantages of the material
Since diluting plaster for crafts is a simple process, it is worth considering certain disadvantages of the material. This will make working with it much easier. First of all, gypsum has low hygroscopicity and strength. Therefore, use decorative elements made from this material in rooms with high humidity not recommended. In such situations, additional processing is required. For reliability, finished crafts should be covered with a layer of coating that protects them from moisture.
Before starting work, you should take into account the hygroscopicity of gypsum products. They absorb any coating well. Therefore, it is recommended to apply a layer of primer to the surface of the product. Only after this can you use a coating that protects against moisture.
How to dilute plaster for crafts: proportions
There are several basic methods for making gypsum mortar for making crafts. The simplest method is to dilute the powder with water. In this case, it is important to maintain all proportions. For 7 parts of gypsum, at least 10 parts of water are required. It is worth noting that the solution should be prepared with extreme caution so that there are no lumps. It is recommended to add gypsum to the water, and not vice versa. This method also eliminates the formation of dust.
This solution is easy to use. It can be used to make products of almost any shape. However, it is worth considering that the crafts are not very strong. They break and crumble easily. So how to dilute plaster for crafts?
Method two
So, how to dilute plaster for crafts. This method of preparing the solution is a little more complicated than the previous one. However, the mixture makes it possible to produce stronger and more reliable products that retain their appearance for many years.
To prepare the solution you need: 6 parts gypsum, 10 parts water, 1 part The components are carefully mixed until a homogeneous mass is formed.
Making colored plaster
How to dilute plaster for crafts of different colors? To do this you will need:
- Gypsum.
- Gouache.
- Ordinary water.
- Jar with lid.
- Dishes for preparing the solution.
- Spoon, spatula or stick.
Kneading process
So, how to dilute plaster for crafts from a multi-colored solution? The process is actually quite simple. To begin with, pour the gouache and the amount of water required to prepare the solution into the jar. To ensure that the paint dissolves completely, it is recommended to close the jar with a lid and shake a little.
The colored water should be poured into the container where the solution will be prepared. Here, observing all proportions, it is necessary to gradually add gypsum. Pour the powder into the liquid in a thin stream, constantly stirring the components. This will allow you to achieve a uniform consistency of the solution. The mixture should resemble thick sour cream. The solution should be mixed thoroughly during preparation so that there are no lumps or air bubbles. Otherwise in finished product holes are formed.
How long does it take for crafts to dry?
Now you know how to mix plaster for crafts. How long does it take for the products to dry? The gypsum solution sets and gradually hardens 4 minutes after it is made. Therefore, you should work with the finished material quickly and carefully. Complete hardening of the gypsum occurs within half an hour. To make the solution set more slowly, it is worth adding a little water-soluble animal-based glue to the solution.
How can I replace gypsum?
On at the moment There are many craft kits on sale. How to dilute plaster for Lori crafts, and the material from other kits for creating figurines, as a rule, is always indicated in the instructions. It is worth studying it before starting work, as the solution dries quickly. Please note that some creative kits use analogs of plaster. The most common of them is alabaster.
This powder has a grayish tint and has a finely dispersed structure. The material is obtained by heat treatment of gypsum dihydrate. Thanks to this, the finished solution received completely different characteristics. It is worth noting that alabaster and gypsum are very similar in appearance.
How is alabaster different from plaster?
Among the main differences between these substances it is worth highlighting:
How long does it take for alabaster crafts to dry?
You can determine the hardening time of the material by studying technical specifications mixtures. In general, the setting of the alabaster solution is observed 6 minutes after diluting the substance. Partial hardening occurs after 30 minutes. It is worth noting that the strengthened and dried solution can withstand a load of 5 MPa. Alabaster dries completely within 1-2 days. Despite the fact that products made from this material are stronger, it is not recommended to use the solution for activities with children, as it is not entirely safe for health. In this case, gypsum is preferable.
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The very word “alabaster” came to us from Greece. It suggests that such material was also used in antiquity. In ancient Greek times, this was the name given to calcite (calcium carbonate). Now this word is mainly used to name gypsum - calcium diacquasulfate.
It is not clear to many: what is the difference between plaster and alabaster? Plaster is very soft, even a fingernail can easily scratch it. Calcite is more durable and can only be damaged with steel tools. Calcite alabaster reacts with hydrochloric acid, gypsum in this case will be inert. Nowadays, the term “alabaster” does not have any specification: it is calcite or gypsum, so we are always talking about the gypsum variety.
Features of gypsum alabaster
Today, the production of gypsum alabaster goes through the heat treatment of natural two-water gypsum. It is kept at a temperature of 150 - 180° in special apparatus, where the alabaster composition is converted into semi-hydrous gypsum. This product is ground into a fine powder. The degree of grinding affects the scope of application of the substance. The smallest fraction is medical gypsum, the larger fraction is molding gypsum, and the largest fraction is construction gypsum.
Technical characteristics of alabaster
Scope of application
Alabaster found its use in everyday life and in construction. The main direction is construction and repair work. Since it is an excellent binding component, construction alabaster is used for sealing cracks, seams, and leveling surfaces, such as ceilings. The photos and videos show how easy it is to complete this work and how great the result looks. You just have to remember that he can't stand it high humidity, because of this drawback, it can only be used in rooms with a humidity of no more than 60%. To improve its resistance to moisture, the surface treated with alabaster is coated with paint and varnish pastes. If you are going to apply alabaster paste to a surface that strongly absorbs moisture, it must first be treated with a primer. Alabaster is often used as an additive that can speed up the setting of the solution.
Benefits of alabaster
Among the main advantages of alabaster is its environmental safety. This material is made from natural components and cannot harm your health. It perfectly absorbs noise, does not burn, and does not allow water to pass through. Its fire resistance allows it to be used to create fire-resistant coatings. Alabaster coatings look smooth and are resistant to cracking.
Features of use
Alabaster is easy to use. However, everything must be done very quickly, because the alabaster solution begins to harden 6 minutes after diluting with water. And after half an hour it will become completely hard. Therefore, those who have already encountered a similar problem and are wondering: how to dilute alabaster should listen to the recommendations and make solutions in portions. After all, a thickened solution is not suitable. Additives in the form of wood or wallpaper glue will slightly extend the life of the solution, and you will have a little more time to work.
Preparing the solution is in many ways similar to the principle of working with wallpaper glue. It is necessary to mix alabaster in the proportion of 1 kg of substance per 0.6 liters of water. The finished solution should resemble sour cream. It must be applied immediately after stirring; no breaks should be taken. Reviews from those who often use this substance suggest that immediately after finishing work, you should thoroughly rinse all tools and containers. Otherwise, the rapid hardening of alabaster will make them unsuitable for further use.