Gypsum
Gypsum, also known as calcium sulfate dihydrate, is a very soft mineral or rock that is used in a variety of industrial and home products. It is usually colorless to white, but can sometimes be seen to have a yellow, pink, or grayish-blue tint. Gypsum is the most commonly mined non-metallic mineral in the world and is found in many countries and locations around the globe.
Gypsum is used in a variety of applications and is known for its qualities of being able to bind together, which makes it an ideal material for things like wallboard, joint compound, plaster, and even toothpaste and cosmetics. Gypsum is also popular for its fire-resistant qualities, which is why it is used in construction, furnaces, and many other applications. Gypsum is a key component in the cement, fertilizer, and agriculture industries, with some estimates estimating that up to 65 percent of all fertilizer product volume is made up of gypsum.
There are a few different physical properties of gypsum that make it especially useful. For example, gypsum is not affected by water due to its low solubility, meaning that it can be used in both dry and wet environments including aquatic environments. Gypsum’s neutral pH balance and low surface tension make it ideal for use as a soil amendment or additive as it is not likely to disrupt the natural balance of the soils micro-ecosystem. Gypsum is also non-toxic, making it safe for use in a variety of applications.
Gypsum is mined in many parts of the world, with the five largest countries worldwide being China, Iran, United States, Mexico and Thailand. The majority of mined gypsum is used for cement production, although it is also used for soil conditioning, plaster of paris, and even in dental materials as a calcium source.
In the United States, the majority of gypsum used is used in wallboard manufacturing and other building materials, such as joint compounds, plasters, and insulation materials. Other gypsum applications in the US include soil conditioning and fertilizer ingredients, animal feed ingredients, cement production, and road base. Gypsum is also used in many other applications, such as in dentistry and in art.
Gypsum is a versatile material that has a variety of uses in industries and in everyday use. Its fire resistance, waterproofing capabilities, and wide range of uses make it a material of choice for many different applications. Furthermore, its non-toxic properties make it ideal for use in a variety of applications.Gypsums ability to bind together, along with its neutral pH balance, low surface tension, and non-toxicity, enable it to be used in a variety of applications and environments, such as in construction, for dental materials, for soil conditioning, and even for art.
