The Multifaceted Material – Plaster of Paris

Plaster of Paris (PoP) is a commonly used name for Lime Plaster or Gypsum Plaster. The name stuck to it due to the large deposit of Gypsum discovered in Paris.

PoP is a building material that is manufactured by heating Gypsum to 150 degrees Celsius. When the same dry powder is mixed with water, it re-forms into Gypsum and remains in a soft form for some time. In this form, it can be easily given any shape by using the right tools. Even after it solidifies, it lacks the strength of cement. These characteristics make PoP an ideal finishing substance rather than a construction input.

There is evidence of Plaster of Paris having been used as long back as 9000 years ago in Syria. Egyptians are also reported to have used PoP 5000 years ago in some of their monuments. Plaster of Paris was also used by the great Greek and Roman civilisations

PoP is a multifaceted material that has vast applications. Probably the most common use of this material is in making beautiful enhancements to home and office interiors. Artisans make use of special moulds to create different forms and shapes on walls and ceilings.

In the field of medicine, PoP is used as a supporting structure in cases of broken bones. This is termed as an orthopaedic cast. In dentistry, PoP is used to create diagnostic and working models.

Due to its chemical characteristics, Plaster of Paris has been used as a fire proofing material since many decades. PoP reacts slowly to fire and this gives a time margin of a few hours that proves critical. PoP layers are used to insulate heat flow to steel frameworks that would otherwise lose strength and collapse very fast in situations of fire.

Depending upon whether the fireproofing is internal or external, Plaster of Paris is used in different variants and in combination with other substances to create the appropriate fire-proofing material.

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