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introduction to uses of plaster of paris:

Plaster of Paris is a white powder made of gypsum. It got its name because the gypsum is present in large amount in the Paris. Plaster of Paris is a building material made up of calcium sulphate hemihydrates. It is produced by heating gypsum to about 150 degree Celsius. It is a dry powder mixed with water and gets hardens. This becomes soft after drying. Plaster of Paris has wide variety of uses in the architecture field.

Uses of Plaster of Paris:


Plaster of Paris is used from the ancient times because cement and gypsum is used for building and in architectural purposes. The Plaster of Paris is used in the following fields,

Architecture Art Medicinal Fireproof

Architecture: Plaster of Paris is also known as gypsum plaster. It is mainly used in architectures in historical monuments from the 16 the century onwards. It is specially meant for decorative purposes. The modern gypsum plaster is used in the repair works of historic monuments. Art: Plaster of Paris is used by artists for producing sculptures and decorative metal castings. These are very much famous for making plaster moulds. We can create our desired shapes using plaster moldings. Example: we can create our designs and pour the moldings into it, after drying; we can get our desired shape materials.

Uses in Medicinal and Fireproof Fields:


Medicinal: Plaster of Paris is very much used in treating fracture of bones. Plaster of Paris is used to create the safety soft bandages. A bandage along with plaster is wrapped around the damaged part. This will hold the damaged part until it is recovered.

Fireproof: Plaster of Paris use as fireproof for protections from early decades. Plaster produces water vapor when it is exposed to fire thus slow down the spreading of fire. It also acts as an insulator material to heat.

Related Questions tPlaster of Paris is a type of plaster which can be used in art,
architecture, fireproofing, and medical applications. When people think of plaster, they are often thinking specifically of plaster ofParis, although there are a number of different types of plaster on the market including lime plaster and cement plaster. Many art and construction supply stores sell plaster of Paris, and it can also be ordered through specialty companies. This plaster is made by calcining gypsum, a process which involves exposing the gypsum to very high temperatures to createcalcium sulfate and then grinding it into a fine white powder. When water is added to the powder to make a slurry, the slurry can be molded in a variety of ways, and as it sets, a firm matrix is created, creating a solid shape which is also very smooth. One advantage to plaster of Paris is that there is no volume loss, so casts made with this plaster are true to the size of the mold. History seems to indicate that, despite the name, plaster of Pariswas invented by the Egyptians. It was used as an artistic decoration in many Egyptian tombs, and the Greeks picked up the technique, using plaster in their own homes, temples, and works of art. Paris became synonymous with this type of plaster in the 1600s, thanks to a large deposit of gypsum which made it easy to produce plaster of Paris. The substance was also used extensively in fireproofing, giving Parisian homes a distinctive appearance. In art, plaster of Paris can be used to make sculptures, and test molds for bronze and other metal castings. Plaster can also be used to make molds which will be very dependable while withstanding high temperatures. Plaster can also be used as an architectural feature, as for example in the case of plaster moldings mounted on doorways and window frames.

Measure out the amount of plaster of Paris needed to make a mold. The general use for most brands of plaster of Paris is 1 part water to 2 parts plaster, with a yield of approximately 1 1/2 cups of the finished product. 2 Pour water into the mold to the level you want the plaster, then measure it out in cups. For instance, if you want to make a mold of your handprint in a pie plate, you would pour water in to the depth you want. If you used 4 1/2 cups of water, you would then need to use 6 cups of plaster of Paris and 3 cups of water. 3 Measure out the dry plaster into a plastic bowl and make a well in the middle. Pour in the water all at once, and stir until the mixture is smooth. 4 Pour the liquid plaster into your mold slowly, starting with the lowest areas and filling in all the spaces. Use all the plaster you prepare, as it doesn't store well. 5

Allow your plaster of Paris mold to sit undisturbed until it hardens. Carefully loosen the edges, and allow the plaster to fall out. Make sure you catch it. 6 Use prepared plaster bandages to wrap around fully inflated balloons to make easy pinatas. Dip the pre-rolled bandages in warm water, allowing them to soften before wringing gently and unrolling onto the surface of the balloon. Use a single layer, and allow it to dry completely before popping and removing the balloon from the top. 7 Make free castings by pouring mixed plaster into animal tracks or other indentions and letting it harden. 8 Fashion small bits of jewelry by filling tiny plastic molds with plaster and painting the hardened objects to use on children's bracelets and chains.

Quick-setting gypsum plaster consisting of a fine white powder, calcium sulfate hemihydrate, which hardens when moistened and allowed to dry. It is made by heating gypsum to 250 360F (120 180C). Used since ancient times, plaster of paris is so called because of its preparation from the abundant gypsum found in Paris. It is used to make molds and casts for ceramics and sculptures, to precast and hold ornamental plasterwork on ceilings and cornices, and for orthopedic bandages (casts). In medieval and Renaissance times, gesso (plaster of paris mixed with glue) was applied to wood panels, plaster, stone, or canvas to provide the ground for tempera and oil painting.

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