LEC 3 Gypsum Product

Gypsum products
Products of gypsum used extensively in dentistry. Gypsum is a mineral mind in

various parts of the world .It is an industrial byproduct and it is used, for many
centuries for construction purposes.
Application in dentistry:
1. Impression plaster used for impressions of the mouth. 2. Casts and dies over
which dental prostheses and restorations are made. 3. Mounting to the
articulator. 4. Molds for processing dental polymers. 5. Dental investments:
when plaster is mixed with silica it is known as dental investment .They are used
to form molds into which molten metal is cast.
Properties of ideal model material
1. Dimensional stability (no expansion or contraction during or after setting).

2. High compressive strength to withstand the force applied on it.
3. Hardness (soft material can easily scratch).
4. Reproduce the fine details.
5. Produce smooth surface.
6. Reasonable setting time.
7. Compatible with impression materials.
8. Can be disinfected without damaging the surface.
Types of gypsum products
Type I: impression plaster
Type II: plaster Type

Type III: stone Type
Type IV: die stone
Type V: High strength, high expansion dental stone “investment”
Manufacture of gypsum products
The process of heating gypsum to produce plaster is known as calcinations. Calcium

sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O), when heated loses part of its water of
crystallization and changes to calcium sulphate hemihydrates. They are supplied as
powder when mixed with water they form slurry or plaster, which set to form a
rigid mass.
Plaster: When the gypsum is heated in open container to 110-120C, it gives part of
its water to form plaster which is CaSO4.1/2 H2O. The crystals of plaster are
irregular in shape and porous and called Beta.
110-120C
CaSO4.2H2O CaSO4.1/2 H2O + evaporation of water
Stone: Chemically stone is the same as plaster that is CaSO4.1/2 H2O but it is made
by heating gypsum in wet condition under super heat steam to 125 C. the crystals
are dense regular and have prismatic shape they are called alpha particles.
Die stone: It is produced by boiling gypsum with 30% CaCl (calcium chloride). The
crystals are also dense regular and have prismatic shape they are called alpha.
Setting reaction
When plaster is mixed with water, it takes one and a half molecules of water, i.e it
regains its water of crystallization and becomes calcium sulphate dihydrate. They
are converted back to gypsum and set to hard mass. The reaction is exothermic and
is the same for all gypsum products. Plaster or stone or die stone (CaSO4.1/2 H2O)
dissolve in water.
Theories of setting
1-Dissolution precipitation theory. 2-Hydration theory. 3. Colloidal theory.
Dissolution precipitation theory is more widely accepted. The setting reaction is

explained on the basis of difference in solubility of hemihydrates and dihydydrate,
Hemihydrate is four times more soluble than dihydrate.
Steps of reaction:
1. It reacts with water to form gypsum (CaSO4. 2 H2O).
2. Gypsum is less soluble in water and the solution becomes super saturated
(unstable condition).
3. Gypsum crystallizes allowing more particles to dissolve and to form gypsum. This
will continue until all the particles have been converted to gypsum (CaSO4. 2 H2O).
Each crystal as it forms becomes nucleus for crystallization. During this process part
of gypsum form a gel which acts as a cementing medium between the crystals. Then
the rigid mass is formed by the interlocking network formed by the long needle-
like gypsum crystals.
CaSO4.1/2H2O+H2O CaSO4. 2H2O +Heat (exothermic reaction)
The microstructure of the set gypsum: The set material consists of an entangled
aggregate of crystals, having lengths of 5-10 um.
Two types of microscopic porosity can be seen the mass:

1- Microporosity caused by residual unreacted water. These voids are spherical
and occur between clumps of gypsum crystals.
2- Microporosity resulting from growth of gypsum crystals .These voids are
associated with setting expansion and are smaller than the first type. They
appear as angular spaces between individual crystals in the aggregate.
Water –powder Ratio: The W/P ratio is a very important factor in deciding physical
and chemical properties of the final product. Example: The higher the w/p ratio,
the longer the setting time and weaker gypsum products, there for w/p ratio should
be kept as low as possible, but at the same time sufficient to produce a workable
mix. The powder is mixed with water at certain ratio according to the type of
gypsum product. W/P ratio for plaster is 0.5 that is 50ml of water for 100gm of
plaster powder.
W/P ratio for stone is 0.3
W/P ratio for die stone 0.2
The difference in W/P ratio due to the difference in the bulk volume of the
powders. the water is measured and put in a clean rubber bowel then the powder
is stiffed on it gradually allow the powder to settle then the mix with clean spatula
for 1 min. until creamy mix is obtained.
Setting time
Setting time is the time from the beginning of mixing the powder with water until
the material hardens.
Mixing time: Is the time from the addition the powder to the water until mixing is
complete.
Working time: Is the time available to make a workable mix.
Initial setting time: As the reaction proceeds, however, more hemihydrates

crystals react to form dihydrate crystals. The viscosity of the mass is increased, and
it can no longer be poured. The material becomes rigid (but not hard). It can carved
but not moulded.
Final setting time: The time at which the material can be separated from the
impression without distortion or fracture.
Measurement of setting time:
1- Loss of gloss method: As reaction proceeds, the gloss disappears from the
surface of the plaster mix (sometimes used to indicate initial set).
2- Exothermic reaction: The temperature rise of the mass may also be used for
measurement of setting time,as the setting reaction is exo thermic.
3- Penetration tests: By using penetrometers .(Vicat needle(A), Gillmore
needles(B)
Factors effecting the setting time
1. W/P ratio: The more water is used for mixing the fewer nuclei they will be per
unit volume consequently, the setting will be prolonged.
2. Fineness: The finer the particle size of the hemihydrate the faster the mix will
harden. The rate of solution of the hemihydrate will be increased, also the gypsum
nuclei will be more numerous and therefore a more rapid rate of crystallization will
accur.
3. Mixing: The longer the plaster is mixed, the shorter is the setting time. When the
powder is brought into contact with water some gypsum crystals will be formed as
mixing begins more particles will be exposed to water and thus form more crystals
at the same time the crystals are broken up by mixing and they are distributed
through out the mixture and result in the formation more nuclei for crystallization
thus the setting time is decreased.
Effect of Water/Powder Ratio (W/P) and Mixing Time on the Setting Time of Plaster
of Paris
W/P Ratio Mixing Time (min) Setting Time (min)
0.45 0.5 5.25

0.45 1.0 3.25
0.60 1.0 7.25
0.60 2.0 4.50
0.80 1.0 10.50
0.80 2.0 7.75
0.80 3.0 5.75
4. Temperature: There is little change in the setting time between 0-50C but if the
temp. Exceeds 50C the setting time will be retarded. As the temp. Approaches 100
C no setting will take place.
5. Impurities: If the manufactures add gypsum, the setting time will be shortened
because of the increase in the potential nuclei for crystallization.
6. Retarders and accelerators: the addition of accelerators and retarders are the
most effective and practical for control of the setting time.
Retarder: Is the chemical material added to gypsum product to increase the setting
time. ex. glue borax and gum Arabic. It will reduce the dissolution of hemihydrates
and might deposit on the nuclei of crystallization and effectively reduce the rate of
crystallization so retard the setting time.
Accelerator: Is the chemical material added to gypsum product to decrease the

setting time. ex. Sodium chloride and potassium sulfate in certain concentration.
These salts increase the rate of dissolution of hemihydrates and thus the saturation
of the solution occur more rapidly and the gypsum formation.

LEC 3 Gypsum Product

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Gypsum products

Products of gypsum used extensively in dentistry. Gypsum is a mineral mind in

Properties of ideal model material

1. Dimensional stability (no expansion or contraction during or after setting).

Types of gypsum products

Type I: impression plaster

Type II: plaster Type

Type IV: die stone

Type V: High strength, high expansion dental stone “investment”

Manufacture of gypsum products

The process of heating gypsum to produce plaster is known as calcinations. Calcium

1-Dissolution precipitation theory. 2-Hydration theory. 3. Colloidal theory.

Dissolution precipitation theory is more widely accepted. The setting reaction is

1. It reacts with water to form gypsum (CaSO4. 2 H2O).

CaSO4.1/2H2O+H2O CaSO4. 2H2O +Heat (exothermic reaction)

Two types of microscopic porosity can be seen the mass:

W/P ratio for stone is 0.3

W/P ratio for die stone 0.2

Initial setting time: As the reaction proceeds, however, more hemihydrates

Measurement of setting time:

Factors effecting the setting time

W/P Ratio Mixing Time (min) Setting Time (min)

0.45 0.5 5.25

Accelerator: Is the chemical material added to gypsum product to decrease the

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