DIY plaster hand: how to make it? How to make plaster for crafts at home

How to make gypsum durable

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Gypsum is an excellent natural material for making various interesting pieces, but, unfortunately, products made from it are not always sufficiently strong (even from high-quality gypsum). On the Internet, you can find many ways to strengthen gypsum, but not all of them are clear and not all are suitable for home conditions.

Gypsum is different brands from G-2 to G-25 - the higher the number - the higher the strength of the finished product. It is not always possible to find good plaster on sale, but if possible, you need to use the most affordable brand. The amount of water added to the solution also affects the strength of gypsum: the more water - the less strength, but the setting time increases, which is important when working with gypsum. The standard strength of gypsum is not always enough for some types of work, in such cases you can try to increase the strength of gypsum with various additives. Ways that we use ourselves and which really help to make plaster stronger:

1. Add PVA glue. In our opinion, this is the easiest and most affordable way to increase the strength of gypsum at home. Glue needs to be added to water and to stir, then to fall asleep plaster. We usually use the following proportions: for 1 kg of gypsum - 0.5 liters of water and 50 grams of PVA glue. The glue solution becomes thicker, but the products are noticeably stronger.

2. Addition of reinforcing fibers (polypropylene fiber). Fiber is usually used to reinforce concrete structures, but it can also be used for gypsum. Polypropylene fibers significantly increase the resistance of gypsum to temperature changes and prevent the appearance of cracks in the product. One kilogram of polypropylene fiber can be enough for 500-1000kg of gypsum. Add it to the water before mixing the solution, approximately 1-2 grams per kilogram of gypsum powder. Products with the addition of fiber are not so quickly and strongly cracked under the influence of frost and high temperatures. In the use of reinforcing fibers there is a small minus - in places the fibers can be visible on the front side when pouring the finished product into the mold (not always and very little, usually not critical) and are noticeably visible and can even stick out from the pouring side and when molding. In Belarus, it is possible to buy polypropylene fiber in small quantities with delivery to any locality (sellers are easy to find in search engines).

3. Finished products can be strengthened by coating with acrylic primer. If it is possible to scratch an odd job even with G-16 gypsum with a fingernail, it is much more difficult to do it without foreign objects after coating with a primer.

The methods described above can be combined for maximum effect. There are still various plasticizers that alter the properties of gypsum, including strength, but they are more suitable for large-scale production of gypsum products.

Return to "It is useful to know" Original things with their own hands

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How to dilute gypsum for crafts instruction. How much dry plaster

Needlework is not only a way to have fun and to spend time, but also the possibility of spiritual relaxation, which is so necessary for people in the modern world.

One of the interesting types of needlework is the creation of sculptures and crafts, which can be used as decorative elements of the interior, as original gifts and even toys for children. Deciding to do this kind of needlework, you should decide what material to use for the manufacture of such products. A great solution would be to use gypsum, which is quite simple to work with, and the sculptures and crafts made of it are not only beautiful, but also durable. About how to work with plaster and will go on.

Crafts from plaster. How to dilute gypsum. A photo

Often, those who wish to pursue such a hobby do not know how to make plaster for handicrafts and the proportions that must be observed. Consider a few tips on how to make a cast.

How to dilute gypsum - proportions

1. The easiest method is to elementarily dilute gypsum with water in a ratio of 7:10. Such a solution will allow you to create crafts that are easy to process. But, such products will not be strong enough and will easily break. Therefore, to ensure greater strength, 2 spoons of PVA glue should be added to the resulting solution.

Tip: when preparing a solution, you should add gypsum to water, and not vice versa. Such a sequence eliminates the appearance, and, consequently, inhalation, of gypsum dust.

2. The second method of creating a gypsum mortar is more difficult, but it makes it possible to produce stronger products that will not lose their original appearance over time. When using this method, the gypsum is diluted with water and slaked lime in the proportions 6: 10: 1, respectively.

How to dissolve a plaster and then from it beautiful crafts. A photo

How to make a solution of plaster for multi-colored crafts?

In order to give the liquid plaster color will be required:

• gypsum;
• water;
• gouache;
• bank;
• capacity for mixing the solution;
• device for mixing (spatula, spoon, stick, etc.).

How to dilute multi-colored gypsum. A photo

Let us analyze the creation of colored plaster solution in steps:

1. In a jar dissolve the gouache with the amount of water that is necessary to dilute the gypsum.

Tip: to gouache completely dissolved, the jar can be closed with a lid and shake.

Tip: plaster should be poured into the water in a thin stream, stirring continuously, then the consistency of the solution will be as homogeneous as possible.

3. The solution is stirred until a homogeneous mixture without lumps is obtained. The density of the gypsum mortar should be like that of liquid sour cream.

Tip: you need to mix the solution as thoroughly as possible so that no air bubbles remain in it, otherwise there will be holes in the product after drying.

How much dry plaster?

The setting and hardening of gypsum occurs already after four minutes after the preparation of the solution. A full hardening occurs after half an hour. Therefore, the ready gypsum solution should be used immediately after mixing. In order for the setting to take place not so quickly, animal water-soluble glue can be added to the gypsum mortar.

How much alabaster dries?

Alabaster is an analogue of gypsum, representing a grayish powder with a finely dispersed structure. It is obtained by heat treatment of dihydrate gypsum. Externally, gypsum and alabaster are almost indistinguishable. But the technical characteristics of these materials have the following differences from each other:

• the hardening of the alabaster solution occurs instantaneously after kneading, so its use is possible only when special additives are added to the solution, which delay its drying;
• alabaster is a harder material than gypsum. This can be understood even by touch by touching the products made from these materials;
• using gypsum is safer for health than using alabaster.

How long does alabaster dry? You can answer this question, knowing the technical characteristics of the dry mixture of alabaster. Seizure of the mixed alabaster solution begins after 6 minutes from the time of its preparation. Finally, the solution sets in half an hour later. After a couple of hours after dilution, dried alabaster can withstand a load of 5 Megapascals.

Full drying of alabaster takes about 1 to 2 days.

So, now you know how to dilute a gypsum, how to make it colored, how long it will take for it to completely dry and other aspects of working with this material. Then it's up to you. Be creative and do not limit your imagination, then you can create a lot of interesting and exclusive plaster crafts that will perfectly decorate your home or garden!

openfile.ru

How to make a solution of gypsum?

Gypsum is the most used material. He was valued in antiquity for very different characteristics. The Egyptians used gypsum for plastering the surface, for other nations as a soft material for figures, stucco. Gypsum is a very good insulator. The quality of the product of gypsum is determined by the powder of which it consists, as well as the observance of manufacturing techniques.

These technologies were known in antiquity, then there were no plants. So how was it done? Yes, very simple, at home. And not in factories and plants as in our time. How to make a solution of gypsum? That's how! So, we have a gypsum powder, a bowl, and a spatula for mixing.

We take the container and pour about 0.7 liters of water there. And slowly we begin to pour the powder into the water, stirring slightly, somewhere around 1 kg. The mixture should be monophonic and bubble-free, like sour cream. Not liquid and not thick. To delay this process, in any case, it is not recommended, it is necessary to stir for 1-2 minutes to get a gypsum solution of the right consistency.

The vitality of gypsum, somewhere between ten and thirty minutes, it depends on the gypsum itself. Yes, and do not try to pour water into the plaster, it can immediately harden and lose its properties. It is also not recommended to induce a solution of gypsum in dirty dishes with the remnants of gypsum, or something else.

So, how to make a solution of gypsum in another way? We have a tank, there is a wooden spatula, there is water (it is possible from the tap, but not hot), and there is also powder. We pour about a liter of water into a container and slowly begin to pour the powder into the water, while stirring with a spatula. We watch that there were no pellets and bubbles.

Stir evenly with one speed, no more than 1-2 minutes. If the solution is too liquid, then you can pour a little plaster powder. But he is cool, then you can not help the case. The consistency of the solution should be as cream (for casting) and as sour cream (for modeling).

uznay-kak.ru

How to breed gypsum for crafts?

Many beginners who like to do their own things usually quickly meet with the desire and need to create a sculpture. This genre is very popular, beautiful and easy to find use in the household, enriching the interior and decorating any place. But then the person gets the question: from what to create his first sculpture?

To extrude it from stone is a rather laborious process, requiring a certain level of skill and a huge amount of time and additional tools. In addition, the sculptural stone is quite expensive, and to find a piece of stone for its sculpture, at least the desired size, is sometimes a rather difficult task.

Sculpt from clay? Also not very - clay figurine is unlikely to be like a sculpture. Especially for such cases, there is a sculptural plaster, which you can do yourself! How to breed gypsum for crafts? Learn and amaze your friends with your imagination and skill!

The recipe for the preparation of gypsum in different sources is sometimes completely different, but there is also an optimal solution that allows you to quickly and easily mix the necessary amount of material for your work. Take a plaster and mix it with water in a ratio of seven to ten. The resulting solution will come out strong enough, but easy to handle.

Unfortunately, it will be very easy to crumble, so to give the plaster greater strength in the mixture obtained, it is recommended to add a couple of tablespoons of white glue. From such a gypsum you can quickly and easily create any thing - it all depends on your imagination and desire!

However, how long will products from such a gypsum solution last? Alas, the answer is known and for masters of needlework quite disappointing. Over time, under the influence of external factors, gypsum will crack, your creation will fall victim to entropy. How to prevent this undesirable process? There is a way out - it is enough to slightly change the recipe of gypsum preparation

Stir the gypsum with water in a ratio of six to ten, and add one fraction of slaked lime. The resulting composition will be much more vigorous and stronger than the solution from the previous recipe. This is a plaster for handicrafts that will last a long time, and your eyes will delight for as long! With this knowledge, you will never have trouble finding materials for the creation of sculptures and other plaster products. Know more, this is very helpful.

uznay-kak.ru

how to do it? :: SYL.ru

Making a plaster hand with your own hands is available to everyone. Casting, made by all the rules and with respect for proportions when mixing the working solution, will be very realistic.

The quality of the finished product and its strength characteristics will depend on the quality of the gypsum. To achieve maximum similarity, you need a quality form. For its production using special materials.

Idea

For lovers, a cast of a pair of hands woven together can serve as a gift for a significant date. Often this composition is ordered by the newlyweds on their wedding day.

Pupils of hands and feet are ordered by children as a keepsake in addition to photos and videos with their babies. Such a souvenir, decorated in an elegant frame, can be presented to relatives and friends as a memory of a memorable date: the first or anniversary birthday, baptism, the first independent step of the child, etc.

You can create a whole collection of such casts made at different periods of active growth of the child. Later, holding them in their palms, the children may recall the happy moments of their childhood.

The graceful plaster hand, made by hand and decoratively decorated, can serve as a part of the original composition. Such a decoration, for example, can also be used as a dummy for storing rings.

Gypsum

For die castings there are many different materials. This paraffin wax, concrete, silicone, metals, even chocolate can be poured into the food form. Now available are compounds of plastics, resins. They all have their own specific casting features. To answer the question of how to make a plaster arm, you first need to understand what kind of material it is. It is also important to understand the technology of its casting.

Gypsum powder is a natural material. It has a white or grayish color, fine grinding, quickly absorbs moisture when water is added. It is obtained by roasting a gypsum stone and is distinguished by purpose: for medical purposes, for molding, for plastering and for the production of slabs.

Gypsum for construction has a larger grinding, medical - the cleanest, molding - sets more slowly. A useful feature for sculptures is an increase (up to 1%) of the working staff in volume. This extension makes it possible to fill out a small form drawing. When preparing the solution after a few minutes it begins to harden and fully seizes within 20 minutes.

Technology features

Store gypsum powder in a dry place. A damp or damp material is not suitable for casting, it does not seize. Its characteristics and from long-term storage deteriorate. The working solution of gypsum is prepared quickly. From prolonged mixing, it “rejuvenates” and seizes less, which ultimately leads to a loss of strength of the finished product.

If the working solution has hardened before the completion of pouring, it is no longer suitable for work. Adding water and re-mixing it will not fix the situation. Liquid glue can help slow down the setting. It (3-4 spoons on a bucket of water) is added previously and mix well.

It is necessary to dry casting at a temperature up to 60 degrees. To exceed this limit is not desirable - the material loses its strength and begins to decompose. Gypsum hand with his own hands made with all of these nuances. To make the finished product stronger, the solution is kneaded with lime milk.

Moisture and dampness adversely affect gypsum products, so they should be used and stored indoors, especially if they do not have a protective coating.

Preparatory operations

It is possible to make a plaster hand yourself at home without using any special technologies and special equipment. However, to make the casting process smooth, you need to carefully prepare. Different batches of gypsum (especially construction) may have different setting times.

In order to know it precisely, it is best to conduct a test mix and pour a small amount of the solution into any simple form. This will allow you to accurately calculate the proportions of gypsum and water, to determine the time interval within which the solution retains the casting properties. In the end, it will help save material, time and nerves.

At the preparatory stage, they are determined with a container for the form, and also a suitable vessel is selected for mixing the gypsum solution. For one-time pouring, you can take disposable dishes. If you plan to continue casting, it is best to purchase rubber plaster for mixing the working solution.

For these purposes, suitable half of the old children's ball. Dried plaster from the walls is easily peeled off when the rubber is deformed. The skin of the hand, which will sink into the molding compound, can be smeared with a thin layer of castor oil or petroleum jelly.

Simple form of clay

Trial plaster cast of the hand can be successfully molded in clay. This will not be a full volume copy, but it will provide an opportunity to get the first practical experience. Clay is an available material, it can be used many times after unsuccessful attempts, which is suitable for beginners.

We need two pieces of board or plywood in size larger than the palm of 5 cm. They are smeared with a hand and vegetable oil or petroleum jelly. This is to ensure that the clay does not stick. They put a hand on the board with a palm, press it tightly and begin to apply clay over wetted and kneaded to a thick dough, kneading it well and compacting it.

The total layer should be at least 5 cm. Its top is leveled on a plane and covered with another board. The whole structure with the hand gently turns over. The bottom board is removed and the palm is gently released. Form for fill ready. To get the perfect castings, use plastic molding masses.

Alginate for impression

To make a form for volumetric casting of complex shape, use special compositions. One of the most affordable options is alginate mass. Its main purpose is to make molds in dental practice. But this material is quite suitable for sculptural castings.

Alginate is a raw material of algae. Dry its powder mixed with water in exact proportions, quickly thickens and acquires the properties of a dense jelly. If before starting the process of setting a hand into such a mass, then, after reaching the optimum density, it is carefully removed, then a cavity is formed in the mold. If you pour in a plaster solution, then it forms an exact copy of the hand after hardening.

Remove the casting without destroying the form will not succeed. Alginate mass in a state of plasticity is not long, it begins to lose moisture, it becomes brittle and collapses due to deformation. Therefore, the filling of the working composition should be made immediately after removing the hand. In this case, you can expect a high quality cast copy.

Some brands of alginate mass change color as it hardens. When kneaded, they have one shade, in the initial phase of setting (the optimal moment of immersion of the hand) is another, after reaching density (when a limb can be removed) - the third. The process of making a plaster hand using such a molding material is as much as anyone can.

Preparation of the solution

Gypsum hand with his hands molded in a prepared form. Pure cold water is added to the mixing tank in the required amount. Dry gypsum powder is evenly poured into it. Ideally, it should form a hill above the surface.

Gypsum begins to absorb water intensively. At this time, it should be well stirred. This should not be done too intensively because air bubbles form. They remain in solution, get into the form and after its hardening they form shells and cavities. Therefore, you can use a drill with a nozzle for mixing only at low speeds. It is better to do everything manually using a spoon or a wooden stirrer. The goal - to get a homogeneous mass without lumps, the thickness resembling sour cream.

The proportions of water / gypsum (approximately one to two) are determined experimentally in advance. After mixing, the container should be gently tapped to release air bubbles to the surface. The resulting foam is collected with a spoon. The prepared working solution is immediately poured into the mold. The time from the beginning of kneading to pouring is no more than a minute and a half.

Fill in the mold

A plaster hand is made by hand using the method of casting into a prepared mold. The solution is added in portions. If they fill in a complex form immediately, then air bags can form in it. The gypsum solution does not get into such voids, as a result, the finished model will have defects.

To avoid this, the form rotates in all directions after the infusion of the first small part of the working solution. So it spreads on the inner surface and falls into all grooves. The air inside does not accumulate and is gradually displaced.

With the next batch, the gypsum mortar is deposited on the walls more and more, its layer becomes thicker. When complex undercuts are completely filled, you can pour the remainder of the gypsum.

Making a plaster hand with your own hands

The technology of making a cast of a child's hand is slightly different from the workflow with adults. The fact is that a child, as a rule, cannot hold his hand in a constant position until the molding compound grabs. The movement of the fingers during the molding all spoil. Therefore, it is best to carry out this procedure during sleep in its deep phase.

Used alginate molding composition. It is kneaded in a bowl of suitable size. All components are prepared in advance according to the instructions. Alginate powder is poured into the water and stirred with a spoon until smooth for about one minute.

For adults, cold water is used. But so that the child does not wake up during sleep from contact with a cool mass, it is better to warm it up. Warm water for mixing significantly reduces the time of use of the molding material, so everything must be done quickly.

When the mixture is ready, it is poured into a suitable glass, picked up by the hand of the child, and his limb is placed there. Hardening mass of 1-2 minutes. During this period, you need to keep the shape at ease to get a quality print.

After the allotted time, the baby's hand is gently removed. As a rule, this occurs without problems, since the form is plastic and does not deform from a light load.

Immediately after this, the working solution is prepared and filled. Maintain gypsum in the form of not more than 30 minutes. Later, the alginate mass begins to give up water, which will adversely affect the casting. The form is removed from the glass, cut into pieces, the plaster imprint of the child’s hand is released. It is cleaned and left to dry.

The same principle is used to cast the hand of an adult or a child who can hold his hand at rest during molding.

Kits for self-production of 2D and 3D casts

Recently, copied souvenir plaster hand has been popular with ordinary people. With your own hands how to do it, detailed in the instructions for ready-made sets for modeling. This kit is ideal for those who want to try their hand at volumetric casting, but who are unable or unwilling to understand the grades of molding masses and gypsum.

The cost of the set will be more expensive than separately purchased components. But manufacturers are focusing on the convenience of such a configuration. In addition, they give a guarantee of quality for their materials. The set includes a dry hypoallergenic mass for the forms, it is easy to prepare it, filling it with water in the required ratio. There is also a high-strength model peeled plaster.

Reusable plastic molding compound is included in the kit for producing castings of simple impressions of hands or feet. Before use, they knead it, make an impression and pour plaster into it. After solidification, the casting is removed. If it is not intended to be re-filled, the mold is kneaded again to a soft state and set aside for storage, packed in a plastic bag.

Finish

How to make a plaster cast of a hand with a finished composition? To do this, it is necessary to paint. For some, the ideal option would be to tint the paint in gold or bronze. Another will choose a skin tone or a white color.

Acrylic emulsion is suitable for a decorative coating, but its layer, although it is thin, can smooth out fine lines and folds on the cast. Although, if the copy turned out to be imperfect, then this option is fine. If you need to keep the smallest details, it is better to use spray paint.

Before finishing the cast is inspected, all irregularities are polished, defects are corrected. In order to lay the paint evenly, the workpiece can be pre-primed, allow it to dry and then sand it again with fine emery paper.

To install, they select a decorative base at their discretion and mount a copy of the hand or a composition with it on glue. After drying, the souvenir can be varnished for greater effect.

How to make a plaster hand yourself to replicate copies?

After working out the technology of casting and mold making, you can try to expand the range of products. The copied gypsum hand, made by hand, can serve as a part of the original composition.

For example, if you cast it in the position of holding the object, it can serve as a stand for the phone. In another case, it may be the base of a candlestick or a desk lamp. You can install a decorative glass into a plaster arm and this composition will turn into a holder for pens or an original flower vase.

For mass copying to make disposable forms is impractical. In this case, elastic silicone is better. Forms of this material can be used repeatedly. To remove the castings, they are cut on one side and carefully removed a copy.

Silicone is installed in a container in which it was poured during manufacture, and the process is repeated. For the convenience of extracting castings, you can use the separation compositions. In such forms, you can pour not only plaster, but also paraffin, tin or chocolate. Fantasy authors endless - most importantly, do not be afraid to experiment!

www.syl.ru

How to make a plaster yourself. How to apply a cast

The best solution if you need to apply gypsum is for a doctor to do this procedure. If you, of course, are not going to simulate a fracture of a limb. However, there are times when this knowledge and skill can be very useful.

With the use of bespatlichnyh dressings for fractures, gypsum is applied directly to the skin of the hands. Plaster hardens to the required hardness after twenty minutes, but complete hardening occurs a little later. One of the reasons for the presence of a doctor is the need to monitor the correctness of the connection using X-rays. You may have to remove the plaster and redo everything.

For the same reason, it is desirable that the doctor also participated in the procedure for removing the plaster. You need to take a second shot and be sure that everything has grown together correctly. In addition, it would be completely useful to obtain a doctor's recommendations on the treatment methods for the fracture site, for successful healing.

How to make a cast

For the application of gypsum, gypsum powder is needed, bandages of different widths with a total length of up to three meters, warm water.

To begin with, make sure that the powder is suitable for use, for which you mix in equal proportions a little plaster and water and after six minutes, make sure that the mass has hardened. If so, then the first stage is successful. When buying, make sure that the gypsum is finely ground and white.

Water heated to 40 ° C should be prepared.

If you have not mastered the technique of plaster casting and you wish to slow down the process of plaster hardening, add 3% p-orp of glycerin.

Immerse the bandages in the basin until they are completely covered with water. The bandage should be completely soaked after some time.

How to apply a cast

The bandage should be slightly squeezed and applied, slightly overlapping the coils. The resulting folds should be cracked down immediately. Twenty minutes later, when the initial hardening of the gypsum occurs, X-ray control is very important, but if it happens in the field and this operation cannot be done in a short time, you should not forget about it. In the near future, as soon as possible, this control must be carried out.

If offsets are detected, you need to remove the plaster and do everything correctly. However, if you have already reached the X-ray machine, then the doctor should be somewhere nearby.

Fixing gypsum

If the misfortune after which the gypsum is needed happened somewhere outside the city, and by all indications is a fracture, be sure to fix the ankle with a tight bandage in the form of an eight, when the bandage goes from foot to shin, leaving the heel open. Further, during transportation, the patient should be seated in the back seat of the car, thus ensuring the extended (horizontal) position of the injured leg. It is good to attach to the place of the fracture which one not be cold and hurry with delivery to the hospital.

If you are a supporter of such active recreation, at which fractures are possible, it is very appropriate to attend first aid courses and carry all the necessary materials with you. This will save you from unnecessary and unprofessional hassle and you will help yourself or a comrade at a high level. This operation is simple, affordable, but, as in any business, there are subtleties, of course.

womantip.net

How to make gypsum at home

At home, gypsum is used for construction work - for plastering, installing partition walls made of gypsum panels, creating decorative elements (stucco moldings). Building gypsum is anhydrous calcium sulphate obtained from ground into powdered and dehydrated mineral gypsum (aqueous sulfate calcium salt). Upon contact with water, the gypsum quickly crystallizes, the resulting gypsum mixture hardens. There are many varieties of gypsum, differing in grinding and setting speed. For example, gypsum is very finely ground, perfectly suited for modeling, and more coarsely ground gypsum for building. Also, in terms of the setting speed, the more sticky gypsum is used when mounting partitions made from gypsum panels, and for plaster they use ordinary gypsum, which contain additives which slow down the setting (to facilitate working with it).

How to make gypsum at home The mixing of gypsum is carried out in three stages.

1. Take a plaster mixing container and pour the required amount of water into it. Use only clean containers.

2. With constant stirring, distribute the plaster on the surface of the water. Pour the rest of the gypsum and gently mix the suspension to a uniform state.

3. Slowly mix the mixture. For this purpose, use the trowel, lowering it to the very bottom of the tank. Leave the resulting gypsum mortar to stand, watch it. The beginning of the setting can be judged by the light heating and thickening of the mixture. When the mixture thickens, immediately start using it.

The final hardness of gypsum depends on the amount of water in the mixture.

For convenience, prepare a gypsum mortar in small quantities and use it quickly. The average rate of solidification of gypsum is 6-10 minutes.

The final volume of the gypsum slurry after mixing approximately corresponds to the total volume of water and the volume of dry gypsum.

The density of gypsum (the ratio of water and gypsum). Mix proportions in liters Light gypsum - 1: 1.25 Normal gypsum - 1: 1.75 Thick gypsum - 1: 2.25

Good advice! In no case do not add to the solution that has already begun to set, neither water nor dry plaster. In this case, you risk to spoil the mixture and get a "dead cast." This gypsum is less durable, and its binding properties are weaker. In the process, carefully dose the gypsum. If the resulting gypsum consistency does not suit you, do not try to change it. It is better to discard the solution while it is still not completely cured, and prepare a new batch, selecting the desired ratio of components.

Not one millennium, this unique building material is used in the construction and repair of premises, for decorating, making sculptures and vessels. Alabaster, which is often called building plaster, is aesthetic and easy to handle.

On the intricacies of breeding alabaster

The main feature of water mixtures with alabaster is their fast freezing. This circumstance should be considered before proceeding to its breeding. In addition, the setting speed leads to the formation of solidified mixture residues in the containers from under it. Therefore, it is sometimes not easy to remove them from metal buckets and tanks.

To rid yourself of mistakes when breeding alabaster you must:

• prepare the mixture in small portions, to prevent it from freezing earlier than in five minutes
• for breeding it is better to use containers of rubber or silicone, which are easily cleaned
• put a plastic bag inside the container, the top edge of which is securely fixed before stirring
• strictly observe the ratio of alabaster and water for the preparation of a specific solution
• dry alabaster pour into the water gradually, stirring constantly until a mass is obtained without lumps and bubbles

What are the proportions get construction gypsum

Building plaster can be prepared for various finishing operations. For each of them, regulatory documentation provides for certain requirements for the preparation of asbestos solution. So, if it is supposed to be used to fill the grooves when performing work related to wiring, one kilogram of alabaster must be diluted in half a liter of water.

In the case of the preparation of plaster based on alabaster and lime, a kilogram of dry powder is diluted with 650 grams of lime mortar or water. Liquid putty solution, with which the irregularities on the walls are leveled, a kilogram of dry gypsum is poured into a liter of water.

The main thing when breeding alabaster - falling asleep dry mixture in water. If this is done in small pieces while stirring simultaneously, the formation of lumps is minimized.

However, a quality solution is also provided:

• using mechanical tools in the form of a drill with nozzles for stirring
• moistening alabaster by hand stirring, after which it is intensively stirred with a spatula
• the inadmissibility of diluting the mixture, which is seized, with a liquid due to loss of quality

The main property of alabaster is the ability to quickly harden, mixing with water. This forms a solid and stone-like surface. Due to such properties, it finds wide application in various branches of construction, industrial production, and art. With it, close up the seams in the surfaces, holes and irregularities.

When conducting electrical wiring alabaster fix wires and cables in specially prepared grooves. They put up walls and other surfaces of the premises, various building structures.

However, ordinary alabaster quickly sets and hardens, after which it is not recommended to mix it with water again. The quality of this mixture is rapidly deteriorating.

Experienced masters have their own methods of extending the effect of the finished solution. According to one of them, a small amount of wallpaper glue is added to the container with such a solution.

After that, it is tightly closed with a piece of plastic film. Masters claim that it allows to increase the setting time without losing the quality of the alabaster mixture.

Types of alabaster

Different types of alabaster, as a natural mineral for making plaster, are mined in many countries.

So calcite alabaster is formed by flows of lime water and sediment. It can have various, mainly greenish shades. It is destroyed when exposed to hydrochloric acid, unlike plaster alabaster.

Gypsum alabaster is the main raw material for the manufacture of gypsum. As a result of its processing at high temperature in special devices, powder-like astringent gypsum for construction is obtained. If it is subjected to more fine grinding, the resulting powder can be used for molding operations. Specially purified raw materials are used to produce gypsum for medical purposes.

There are rare forms of alabaster. In Italy, China and the US, in addition to white, alabaster of pink and black is also mined. There is a reddish and brown alabaster.

The setting time varies:

• quick hardening, which starts to harden after a couple of minutes and finally sets in a quarter of an hour
• normal hardening with the start of setting no earlier than six minutes and final curing after half an hour
• hardening slowly, which begins to clutch no sooner than twenty minutes later

Most of the powder of modern construction plaster is white. The most applicable in the construction of such a gypsum, which is labeled G-5, G-6.

Such alabaster is widely used for:

• plastering in dry rooms
• preparation of putty and plaster mixtures according to special recipes
• gypsum-based partitioning panels
• dry plaster in sheet form
• various types of gypsum boards
• gypsum and gypsum boards

Similar construction plaster is used where high strength characteristics of the material are not required. Due to the presence of a coarse-grained component, it has lower strength and greater porosity.

To meet the needs of industries where high-strength molds are needed for casting parts for various purposes, special work must be chosen on alabaster, which is distinguished by high strength, marked from G-13 to G-25. Such material meets modern standards of safety and construction work.

The cost of quality alabaster

Conventional construction alabaster is considered a relatively inexpensive building material, which makes it extremely popular in the market. It is sold mainly in durable paper multilayer bags, designed for 5-50 kg. One kilogram of ordinary building gypsum brand G-5 can cost an average of 5-15 rubles.

Alabaster, characterized by high strength, significantly superior to ordinary building plaster. They are made from gypsum stone, both using traditional technologies and complex chemical-technological processes.

Therefore, such materials are indispensable for:

• embedment of drilled wells in the oil and gas industry
• the manufacture of ceramic products and sculptures
• making elements of decorative design of building objects
• in medicine for the manufacture of prosthetic and dental prostheses
• molding castings in jewelry making
• high strength forms for the needs of some industries

Alabaster- one of the oldest building materials, known to masters for more than 5 thousand years. And it is still in demand, despite the emergence of numerous dry building mixtures and stricter requirements of the construction industry. Why?

Gypsum = alabaster?

People who are not related to construction sometimes have confusion in terms: one seems that gypsum and alabaster are synonyms, just everyone calls it as he is used to, another that alabaster is the best and highest quality kind of gypsum.

Some even believe that alabaster is a stone from which statues are sculpted, and in a ground form they are used for decorating, therefore it is harder and whiter than gypsum.

So what is alabaster?

This is really a “subspecies” of gypsum. Like construction gypsum, it is obtained from a natural mineral - gypsum stone, both of them are calcium sulphate, onlythe first - two-water (CaSO4 2H2O) , butalabaster - semi-aquatic (CaSO4 0.5H2O) .

   The mineral is crushed, and then burned at a temperature of about 180C.

   Grinding in alabaster is thinner than in gypsum, and therefore this material has less plasticity, but greater hardness.

   Also, its unique feature is the drying time - the alabaster mortar sets in an average of 5 minutes, that is, much faster than other building mixes.

   These properties narrow the range of application of alabaster to construction and finishing works, while gypsum can be used in many industries, including medicine, jewelry, casting, art, etc.

Characteristics and types of alabaster

The main averaged characteristics of alabaster are presented in the table below:

Compressive strength	4.0 mpa
Flexural strength	2.0 MPa
Brand binder	G5 - G6 for building mixtures, as well as for the production of gypsum board, gypsum chips and gvl r13–g25 for the production of high-strength elements
Water consumption (in terms of 1 kg of dry mix, according to snip)	0.65-0.70 liters
Setting time	5-30 minutes from start to finish
Fire resistance	n heating up to 700 ° without destruction
Colour	White, pearl gray, yellowish, light green, light pink (color depends on the characteristics of the field and, according to experts, does not affect the strength properties of the finished surface)

Since one of the main features of the mixture is rapid curing, there are three types of alabaster in terms of hardening speed:

Benefits of Alabaster

Fast and smooth!  Due to the quick setting, the surface can be leveled in literally minutes, and after an hour, and then, if taken with a margin, it is ready for further processing.

Alabaster solution has high adhesion and fits perfectlyon almost any prepared surface

In a frozen form of alabaster has good strength characteristics.  To this day, elements of palaces and temples, which are already more than 5 thousand years old, have been preserved, and they are in excellent preservation. When drying, the material does not shrink and is resistant to cracks.

Hardened alabaster absorbs noisetherefore, it can be used as an auxiliary material for sound insulation.
6 hours of exposure to open fire  - so much is able to withstand alabaster without significant deformations. It does not burn itself and prevents the spread of flame.

In the composition of the material no chemical additives, it is eco-friendly and can be safely used in bedrooms, nurseries, etc.
Democratic  compared to similar dry construction mixtures for the price.

Alabaster application

Due to the peculiarities of the material, the range of use of alabaster in construction is wide: it is relevant for the production of drywall, demanded by professional builders, and is also often used by private owners for minor repairs.

1. Correction of cosmetic defects of walls, ceilings and surfaces GKL / GVL. Alabaster mixture is traditionally used to eliminate a variety of chips, vycherblin, cracks, etc.
2. Preparing surfaces for finishing  Alabaster mixture is excellent for filling walls and partitions in rooms with normal humidity, it is used to prepare surfaces for wallpapers of all types, as well as decorative plaster. Some builders use alabaster even in bathrooms, under the tile, but in this case it is necessary that the material is completely hidden facing and not in contact with water. This principle is also true for the kitchen, since alabaster absorbs wet vapors.
3. Electric installation work  Alabaster is the joy of the electrician, the most convenient material that allows you to quickly fix the cable in the wall without the risk that it will move during the drying of the mixture. In addition, many people use it when mounting podrozetnikov, because even when coarsely pulling the plug out of the socket, the construction, thanks to the hardness of alabaster, is guaranteed to remain in the wall, which sometimes can not provide more expensive and modern dry mixtures.
4. Interior design.When decorating rooms with stucco, a specific problem often arises: cast plaster elements have a solid weight and therefore must be firmly fixed to the base. This is especially true of ceilings. And alabaster in this case is ideal. He will come to the rescue to conceal and seal the small flaws of stucco and is indispensable for restoration work.

Preparation for work

When working with alabaster, half the success depends on the quality of preparation, namely, on the selection of containers and tools.
   To facilitate the process, consider the following principles.

• Metal packaging immediately no! Alabaster will firmly stick to the iron walls, which means the loss of material, inconvenience and damaged capacity. Plastic dishes are better, but rubber is still the most comfortable option: the solution does not stick to springy walls, and after work is finished, dried residues are easily shaken out, to do this, compress the mold several times and then turn it over. In addition, if you wish, you can buy special buckets for working with plaster in hardware stores.
• Tara with the remnants of the solution immediately no!  The dried solution accelerates the hardening of the new closure portion.
• As for the spatula, modern tools from plastic or rubberthe mixture does not stick to them. But the classic steel spatula is also suitable, a new one is better: according to the observations of some masters, rust accelerates the hardening of an already rapid-hardening mortar

For small volumes of mix

   Small portions of alabaster convenient to shut in kapron buckets or compact rubber tanks.  Often builders use halves of ordinary children's balls of suitable diameter.
   For mixing "small doses" of alabaster mixture the spatula is optimal.

For large volumes

Plastic or rubber bucket  lining with a solid piece of cellophane, tight and without tearing, pin the "tails" to the edges of the container so that the polyethylene does not move during mixing; after use, the film is simply removed from the bucket and discarded.

It is convenient to stir the mortar with a construction mixer, and in its absence - with a drill with a nozzle.

Mix and work with solution

Here it is important to answer three questions: in what proportion to shut, how exactly to shut, and what nuances should be taken into account when mixing?

Actually, the proportions depend on the purposes for which the solution is planned to apply. SNiP recommends the following ratios:

In order not to ruin the material and get a quality solution, strictly keep the technology.

remember, that the mixture is added to the water, but in no case the opposite!

Powder need pour in graduallylike flour in pancake dough, and mix thoroughly  until homogeneous mass.

The correct filler solution has the consistency of mousse or yogurt.

If the solution starts to harden, but you did not have time to spend it  or do what you planned, just throw it awaywithout trying to "reanimate" by adding water. With alabaster, the principle “died so died” is true by 200%, the grasped solution is no longer suitable for anything.

Putting the solution, make a footnote to the fact that drying out, the material slightly increases in volume.

Master Tips:

1. Theory and SniPs  - this, of course, is good, but in practice, alas, a dry mixture can behave differently, it all depends on the brand and even the party. Therefore, before closing the entire desired volume, conduct a test with 100 grams of material.

2. For mixing use cold water.

3. When mixing the solution, definitely worth it aim for homogeneity. However, overdoing is also fraught with: it is believed that too long and thorough mixing, especially with a mixer, violates the structure of alabaster, as a result of which it loses its strength.

How to prolong the viability of alabaster solution?

Beginners and private owners without experience and construction skills, when working with alabaster, they often wonder if it is possible to slightly slow down the hardening of the mortar.

And such methods really exist. Some of them are quite scientific, some belong to the "popular" methods, which, nevertheless, have proved to be a good idea in practice.

Method 1. Bone glue.

Good old means approved by more than one generation of builders. When mixing, add any glue on the bone basis, be it poorly diluted paint or carpentry. The main thing - the dosage: 2% of the total weight of the mixture.

Method 2. Citric acid

The recipe is as follows: for 0.5 cups of alabaster, take 4-5 grains of citric acid and throw in cold water while kneading. However, the masters note that, with apparent simplicity, the method is not universal, because the amount of acid must be chosen for a specific alabaster mixture, that is, tests and experiments are required.

Method 3. PVA glue

Here the builders are divided into two camps. Some say that 3% of PVA on the mass of the mixture gives an excellent result, that is, they prolong the viability of the solution by several times and do not affect its strength in the future. Others object - the film, which PVA forms on the surface upon drying, can block the evaporation of water, so that recrystallization and coarsening of sodium sulfate crystals is likely, and this leads to a deterioration of the strength characteristics.

How to choose and where to buy?

It would seem that alabaster is a simple mixture, without chemicals, without plasticizers, take the first pack of any brand and go ahead, because it is difficult to spoil the material. However, there are some nuances in the choice.

1. Since alabaster is extremely susceptible to moisture, it should be stored in dry rooms. So it is advisable to buy the mixture in stores, and not in markets where the tightness of containers often leaves much to be desired, and certainly not on open-air sites.
2. Carefully check the integrity of the packaging.because at its slightest violation, there is a chance that the material has partially or completely lost its properties.
3. No matter how simple the alabaster mixture,   It’s worth choosing not only by price, but also by manufacturer: large producers are in priority, because they, thanks to well-adjusted and regulated production, are ready to ensure quality stability, while for noname brands quality can “dance” strongly from party to party.
4. Give away preference for brands whose packages contain proportions for mixing their mixture, because, despite the regulations of the SNiP, recommendations may vary.

Smooth walls - is the key to quality repairs. And one of the easiest and most reliable ways to even and decorate walls is to plaster them. In this article we will examine in detail all the issues related to gypsum plaster: what it is for, what are its features and specifications, pros and cons, and areas of application. And also we will clearly demonstrate how to work with this material.

The use of gypsum plaster

Plaster mixes on the basis of gypsum are used to finish primarily the walls and ceilings of living rooms, as well as other rooms with normal humidity.

It can be put on such bases as:

• brickwork and clay walls;
• over concrete walls and (need processing concrete contact);
• on the old plaster plaster, provided its good strength;
• on cellular foam concrete, aerated concrete and expanded clay-concrete;

Since gypsum is able to absorb moisture, it is used only for interior decoration of dry premises when preparing the surface or.
  Gypsum plaster can be produced in the form of:

• starter mixtures or ready-made solutions;
• fine-grained finishing;
• decorative compositions.

Current prices:

Gypsum plaster

What is included

The main component of this type of plaster is building gypsum - calcium sulfate hydrate, obtained by burning gypsum stone and ground to a powder. The composition can also be added:

• fillers that reduce the weight and increase the heat insulating properties of light plaster: perlite, vermiculite, foam glass or expanded polystyrene;
• plasticizers and set retarders;
• additives that increase the whiteness of the surface - salts of various metals (zinc or titanium white) or lime;
• components that increase their strength;
• additives that regulate the setting time of the solution and the time it hardens.

Gypsum plaster refers to environmentally friendly materials and is absolutely not dangerous to health. Moreover, due to its hygroscopicity, it is able to "breathe", that is, to absorb excess moisture and, conversely, to give it away, thus regulating the indoor climate.

A separate type of gypsum plaster is gypsum polymer. It is used for leveling brick and concrete surfaces. In some cases, gypsum polymer compositions can also be used for exterior decorating.

Specifications

The quality of gypsum binder mixes are regulated . According to this document, the main indicators of dry material include:

• humidity: allowed moisture content not more than 0.30% of the total mass;
• the maximum size of the granules (grains);
• bulk weight: 800-1100 kg / m3 (in a loose condition) and 1250-1450 kg / m3 (compacted).

Properties of the prepared solutions:

• water consumption when mixing - 0.6-0.65 l / kg
• mobility: the ability to spread under its own weight; according to GOST 31376, the diameter of the diffused sample of the prepared solution (~ 600 g) should not exceed 165 mm (± 5);
• setting time - not less than 90 minutes for machine coating mixtures and 45 minutes for manual plastering;
• full drying time - in 5-7 days; This indicator depends on the additives in the mixture and differs from different manufacturers; You can find out exactly how long the plaster is drying in the instructions on the package;
• ability to retain moisture, not allowing it to drain: at least 90%;
• consumption at a layer of 10 mm - 8.5-10 kg / m2 (manual application) and 7.5-9 kg / m2 (machine).

Properties of gypsum plaster in hardened form:

• compressive strength - 2.5 MPa;
• adhesion to the surface - 0.3 MPa;
• density - 950 kg / m3;
• vapor permeability - 0.11-0.14 mg / pche;
• thermal conductivity - 0.25-0.3 W / m * s;
• shrinkage - does not shrink

Although vapor permeability (the ability to pass water vapor) of plastered surfaces is not regulated by State Standard Standards, it is also an important technical characteristic that determines the scope of plaster.

When purchasing gypsum mixes, you should pay close attention to their shelf life. Because of the ability to easily absorb moisture for more than 6 months from the date of issue, they are not stored. After this period, their properties change, they begin to clump, and the quality leveling of the walls becomes problematic. It is also necessary to pay attention to the tightness of the package, which protects from excess moisture - you should not buy plaster in broken bags.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main disadvantages of this material include  low moisture resistance and strength - the surface, plastered with plaster, can be easily scratched or chipped. The cost is slightly higher than the cement-sand mixture, about 15-20%, but this is an insignificant minus.

But the benefits of gypsum are much greater:

• high plasticity: it is easier to work with a gypsum mortar than with others; the complexity of the process is significantly reduced, and this is a significant plus;
• no shrinkage: for cement mixtures, it is a couple of millimeters per square meter;
• surfaces plastered with gypsum are smoother, without pores and grit;
• good adhesion: gypsum mortar adheres to the surface much better than sand-cement; therefore, the reinforcing mesh for surface hardening can not be used; it is required only in the new stands because of the possible shrinkage of the building;
• good heat and sound insulation properties: a wall covered with a layer of plaster stores heat and protects against noise better than concrete surfaces;
• it is allowed to impose a thicker layer (up to 50 mm) without reinforcing mesh;
• small weight: the walls covered with plaster, give smaller load of the base;
• economy: when comparing the cost, many people pay attention only to the weight of the pack;   however, it is necessary to take into account the specific gravity of the mixture - after all, the consumption of gypsum per 1 m2 is 9-10 kg, whereas cement for plastering the same area will need 16-18 kg.

Expert opinion

Alexander Guryanov

Plasterer and decorative master

Many refer to the benefits of gypsum and a higher setting speed than the cement-sand mortar. However, it is difficult to call this a significant advantage. Indeed, the surface treated with gypsum plaster hardens 1-1.5 hours faster than covered with cement composition.

It is not worth delaying when working with it - it will be problematic to smooth down a solution that starts to harden. Do not mix too much if you work on your own. It is better if one person is engaged in preparation, and the second plastering.

How to mix dry mix

Consider the cooking process and the proportions of the gypsum mortar. The dry mixture from the bag is poured into a prepared container, already filled with water. According to the instructions for 1 kg, 600-700 ml of liquid is required, that is, a 30-pound bag of gypsum will need about 20 liters of water.

A small amount of mortar can be simply mixed with a trowel or trowel. If it is difficult to make large volumes with your own hands, then it is better to use a perforator with a mixing nozzle or a construction mixer.

The solution should stand for 3-5 minutes (reaction time of the components). Then it is thoroughly mixed again until all the lumps disappear. The solution should be viscous and plastic, but in no case should it drain from the instrument.

Gypsum plasticizers

However, at home it is quite possible to make your own mixtures based on gypsum, for example, quite plastic. But the reaction between the gypsum and water occurs fairly quickly, so the gypsum plaster quickly hardens.

To make a convenient solution for work, one of the plasticizers must be added to it:

• diluted PVA glue, about 1% of the total;
• lime,  used as a plasticizer and to increase the hardening time;
• tartaric citric acid  also slow down the setting. WITH special fluids, such as Plast Retard PE, can prolong the setting time by up to several hours, prevent cracking and improve the durability of gypsum.

Use in wet areas and outdoors

As we have already mentioned, gypsum plaster is capable of absorbing moisture, so its use in wet rooms and even more so for facade decoration is not desirable.

If necessary, make the surface of gypsum moisture resistant (for example, in preparation for tiling the bathroom), it is coated with a deep penetration primer on an acrylic base. Under the tile is ideal soil concrete contact.

Polymer waterproofing mastic, for example, Plitonit Hydroelast, also has good waterproofing properties. It is applied over a thoroughly dried layer of plaster with a brush or roller in several layers. Each must be applied after the previous one has dried. Tile sticker is allowed only one day after application. The same mastic is recommended to fill and exit points of pipes and corners of various designs.

How to plaster plaster solution (video)

It is possible to work with plaster plaster with the help of a plastering station or manually. Machine application is a separate topic for conversation, and we will look at it in another article. And here we analyze the nuances of manual application.

• the thickness of each layer can be 30-50 mm; if necessary, a new layer is allowed to apply only after the previous one has dried;
• dry mixture consumption in the absence of large irregularities with a layer thickness of 1 cm - an average of 9-10 kg / m2;
• gypsum mortar is allowed to be applied not only on brick, concrete surfaces and aerated concrete, but also the previous layer of cement or gypsum plaster;
• surface leveling is carried out using beacon profiles or gypsum beacons - a small amount of the mixture, which is dotted or line applied to the wall and leveled to the level; after they dry, a mortar is placed between them, and then the entire plaster mass is leveled with a building rule; the thickness of the layer will be equal to the height of the beacons;
• for dust removal, protection from small particles from shedding and strengthening the surface after plastering the surface must be primed;
• in order to obtain a flat surface before painting or sticking thin wallpaper, the walls are additionally filled;

The video below shows all the stages of finishing: how to knead, apply and rub correctly.

Grouting and glossing

Grouting is the manual removal of small irregularities, seams, transitions between layers. Usually overwritten after drying the plaster. To do this, take a metal or plastic grater. The tool is moistened with water or a primer intended for application after plaster, and the surface is treated with circular or vertical and horizontal movements, periodically clearing the grater from the solution. Particular attention is paid to the corners.

The video above (time 5:35) shows the process of glossing the surface - creating an ideal plane without finishing putty. Glossing and rubbing are very similar methods, using the same tools and equipment. But the difference is that it takes place on a freshly grasped and still wet plaster. This saves time and there is no need for applying putty.

Lined wall decoration

After applying a layer of plaster it is necessary to determine how further finishing will occur:

As you can see, gypsum mixes are extremely in demand in the finishing and repair work and are used everywhere.

We hope that this article was useful to you, and you found the information you are interested in. Your questions and comments please leave in the comments below.

Needlework is not only a way to have fun and to spend time, but also the possibility of spiritual relaxation, which is so necessary for people in the modern world.

One of the interesting types of needlework is the creation of sculptures and crafts., which can be used in the form of decorative elements of the interior, as original gifts and even toys for children. Deciding to do this kind of needlework, you should decide what material to use for the manufacture of such products. A great solution would be to use gypsum, which is quite simple to work with, and the sculptures and crafts made of it are not only beautiful, but also durable. About how to work with plaster and will go on.

Crafts from plaster. How to dilute gypsum. A photo

   How to breed gypsum for crafts?

Often, those who wish to pursue such a hobby do not know how to make plaster for handicrafts and the proportions that must be observed. Consider a few tips on how to make a cast.

How to dilute gypsum - proportions

1. The easiest method is to elementarily dilute gypsum with water in a ratio of 7:10. Such a solution will allow you to create crafts that are easy to process. But, such products will not be strong enough and will easily break. Therefore, to ensure greater strength, 2 spoons of PVA glue should be added to the resulting solution.

Tip: when preparing a solution, you should add gypsum to water, and not vice versa. Such a sequence eliminates the appearance, and, consequently, inhalation, of gypsum dust.

2. The second method of creating a gypsum mortar is more difficult, but it makes it possible to produce stronger products that will not lose their original appearance over time. When using this method, the gypsum is diluted with water and slaked lime in the proportions 6: 10: 1, respectively.

How to dissolve a plaster and then from it beautiful crafts. A photo

   How to make a solution of plaster for multi-colored crafts?

In order to give the liquid plaster color will be required:

• gypsum;
• water;
• gouache;
• bank;
• capacity for mixing the solution;
• device for mixing (spatula, spoon, stick, etc.).

How to dilute multi-colored gypsum. A photo

Let us analyze the creation of colored plaster solution in steps:

1. In a jar dissolve the gouache with the amount of water that is necessary to dilute the gypsum.

Tip: to gouache completely dissolved, the jar can be closed with a lid and shake.

Tip: plaster should be poured into the water in a thin stream, stirring continuously, then the consistency of the solution will be as homogeneous as possible.

3. The solution is stirred until a homogeneous mixture without lumps is obtained. The density of the gypsum mortar should be like that of liquid sour cream.

Tip: you need to mix the solution as thoroughly as possible so that no air bubbles remain in it, otherwise there will be holes in the product after drying.

   How much dry plaster?

The setting and hardening of gypsum occurs already after four minutes after the preparation of the solution. A full hardening occurs after half an hour. Therefore, the ready gypsum solution should be used immediately after mixing. In order for the setting to take place not so quickly, animal water-soluble glue can be added to the gypsum mortar.

How much alabaster dries?

Alabaster is an analogue of gypsum, representing a grayish powder with a finely dispersed structure. It is obtained by heat treatment of dihydrate gypsum. Externally, gypsum and alabaster are almost indistinguishable. But the technical characteristics of these materials have the following differences from each other:

• the hardening of the alabaster solution occurs instantaneously after kneading, so its use is possible only when special additives are added to the solution, which delay its drying;
• alabaster is a harder material than gypsum. This can be understood even by touch by touching the products made from these materials;
• using gypsum is safer for health than using alabaster.

How long does alabaster dry? You can answer this question, knowing the technical characteristics of the dry mixture of alabaster. Seizure of the mixed alabaster solution begins after 6 minutes from the time of its preparation. Finally, the solution sets in half an hour later. After a couple of hours after dilution, dried alabaster can withstand a load of 5 Megapascals.

Full drying of alabaster takes about 1 to 2 days.

So, now you know how to dilute a gypsum, how to make it colored, how long it will take for it to completely dry and other aspects of working with this material. Then it's up to you. Be creative and do not limit your imagination, then you can create a lot of interesting and exclusive plaster crafts that will perfectly decorate your home or garden!