How is gypsum obtained

Although gypsum is not fireproof, it will protect the structure of the house from damage for a period of time. Gypsum in its natural state is an ore often found layered with limestone.

It is liberated from its natural state most commonly by surface mining. To get the gypsum ore into a state where it can be sold for its many uses, it is crushed to size using DDC-Sizers , Feeder-Breakers , Hammermill Crushers , Jaw Crushers or Roll Crushers and stockpiled to await further processing.

The crushed gypsum is screened using Vibratory Screens to separate the sizes for their different uses. One size from the screen may be sold as a cement retarder, while another size may be stockpiled for further processing. Further processing includes drying the ore to remove excess moisture, then grinding it into a fine powder known as land plaster.

The land plaster is collected in a Hydrocylcone , discharged onto a conveyor and stockpiled for sale as a soil conditioner. To create stucco, the land plaster is heated with hot gasses either directly in a flash calciner or indirectly in a kettle calciner to remove much of the chemically bound water.

The stucco can be further ground and mixed with retarders to create plasters, or it can be mixed with dry additives, water, shredded paper, accelerators and soap foam; spread in a mold; and dried in a kiln to create wallboard. The next time you are sitting in your home, playing a game of tennis, brushing your teeth, washing your hair or even just walking down the sidewalk, think about how all these items are possible because of a little known mineral called gypsum.

We can ship you parts, send field service technicians to your site and answer any questions you have. Whatever you need, we are here for you. Gypsum is a mineral found in many items we use every day, like toothpaste and shampoo.

It is also used to make Portland cement and drywall, create molds for dinnerware and dental impressions, and to build roads and highways. The most significant use for gypsum is for wallboard and plaster products. All modern homes in North America and other developed countries use a great deal of wallboard for interior walls. Some gypsum is used to make Portland cement, and some is used in agricultural applications.

A small amount of very pure gypsum is used in glass making and other specialized industrial applications. Skip to content Return to Minerals Database. Related topics: Wonder of Minerals. Industrial Minerals Poster. Return to Minerals Database. Gypsum is also used for making dentures. What is Gypsum worth? Gypsum worth is little as it is abundant and plentiful around the globe.

The real value and worth of gypsum comes into sight as it plays a very important role in our society today. There are no long term adverse medical effects from ingestion of gypsum. If ingested, wash out the mouth and drink plenty of water.

Any effects should be short term. Thank you. Gypsum have an exact setting time. If hard stone has a setting time final set of e. Why is gypsum so soft? Because it is deposited in this environment, it is common for gypsum to be associated with rock salt and sulfur deposits. Sedimentary gypsum is the gypsum that is mined commercially. Gypsum is very soft at 2 on the Moh scale of hardness — so soft that it can be easily scratched with a fingernail. High-strength stone is the strongest and most expensive of the three gypsum products, and it is used mainly for making casts or dies for crown, bridge, and inlay fabrication.