Plaster of Paris is a popular medium for molds.
Plaster of Paris is a great tool for any kind of artist. Different variations of this medium have been used in many different walks of life, including medicine, art and construction. The plaster of Paris name came from the large quantities of gypsum found in Montmarte in Paris. Now the plaster of Paris term is used when referring to any powder mixture that contains calcined gypsum, sand and water.
Composition
Plaster is the result of the calcination of gypsum. Gypsum is a sedimentary rock that has been trapped in lagoons through the evaporation of sea water. It is a crystalline mineral that, when mixed with water, hardens as the water evaporates.
History
Plaster renders that are 9,000 years old have been found in Anatolia and Syria. Around 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians would burn gypsum in fires and then crush it into a powder. Later they would mix the powder with water to make the mortar that joined the blocks of their monuments. The Egyptians were also the first to use plaster models of the human body.
Made
The plaster is made by heating the gypsum to create calcium sulfate. The calcium sulfate is then crushed to create the fine powder. A type of this plaster can be made at home using water, white glue and flour.
Uses in Medicine
Plaster of Paris has been used for many years as a treatment for broken bones. Gauze bandages are soaked in plaster and wrapped around the injured limb. Plaster is also used in dentistry to make models of teeth from molds of dental stone.
Uses in Art
Numerous famous paintings are created in fresco, which means that they are painted on a thin layer of wet plaster. One example of this type work is Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. Plaster is commonly used to create molds of copies of statues, because plaster doesn't shrink while it dries and makes an accurate reproduction. Plaster might dry to a solid, cement-like state but can still be modified by using sandpaper or carving tools.
Uses in Construction
Plaster is often used in the creation of wall textures and raised stenciling details. Plaster in construction has been around since the ancient Egyptians. It was used in the decoration of the interior walls of the Great Pyramids. Plaster has also been used for decades for active fireproofing and passive fire protection. Plaster can be spread on wooden beams or sprayed into the upper section of a room and then covered by a drop ceiling. As the plaster burns, it releases water vapor, slowing the spread of the fire.
Related posts
Egyptians and Greeks used plaster of Paris to create statues.Plaster of Paris results from the calcination of a sedimentary rock called gypsum. The Egyptians and Greeks used gypsum plaster to crea...
Plaster of paris is a material that is commonly used in building and art. It is composed of calcified gypsum. Unlike mortar or cement, plaster of paris never completely hardens when it dries. Its...
Casting plaster is often used to make molds.Plaster of Paris is the most recognized name for casting plaster, but the two terms are used interchangeably. There are several different types of plast...
Plaster of Paris has been used in art for centuries.Plaster of Paris, a quick-setting, bright-white plaster, is an extremely useful and versatile substance. It is featured in our homes as architec...
Plaster of Paris, also known as gesso, is a mixture of gypsum that, when mixed with water, forms a moldable clay that dries and hardens without the need for a kiln or oven. It has been a staple of...
