Plaster of Paris

Description

1. Product Overview

Plaster of Paris (Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate) is a high-purity, rapidly setting industrial powder derived from controlled calcination of gypsum. It is primarily used for precision molding, casting, and construction surfacing, offering exceptional dimensional accuracy and workability. The key value proposition is its balance of setting time control, compressive strength, and cost-efficiency for high-volume applications. Strategically, it remains indispensable for global industries ranging from construction and ceramics to medical devices and automotive tooling, given the lack of cost-effective substitutes that match its ease of use.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical Composition: CaSO₄·½H₂O (≥92–98% purity depending on grade)

• Grade Options: Construction grade (≥92%), Industrial/Artistic grade (≥95%), Medical grade (≥98%, low iron)

• Physical Form: Fine off-white to white powder

• Particle Size: 100–200 mesh (standard); 325 mesh (ultra-fine for dental/molding)

• Setting Time (Initial): 8–15 minutes (modifiable with retarders)

• Compressive Strength (2 hours): 8–15 MPa (dry)

• Bulk Density (powder): 700–900 kg/m³

• Packaging Options: 25 kg / 40 kg multi-layer kraft bags with PE liner; 1.5 MT jumbo bags; loose bulk in pneumatic tankers

• Shelf Life: 6–9 months in dry, sealed conditions (≤70% relative humidity)

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Construction & Drywall Manufacturing: Used for joint compounds, decorative cornices, and ceiling tiles. Outperforms lime-based plasters in setting speed and crack resistance.

• Ceramics & Art Casting: Master molds for slip casting and sculpting. Provides superior detail reproduction versus cement-based alternatives, plus easier demolding.

• Medical (Orthopedic & Dental): Casting bandages and dental investment molds. Medical-grade variant offers higher green strength and lower expansion upon setting than standard grades.

• Automotive & Aerospace Tooling: Core materials for prototype molds and lay-up tools. Cost advantage over epoxy tooling boards for short-run production.

• Metallurgy (Foundries): Investment casting shells for non-ferrous metals. Delivers smoother surface finish and lower thermal expansion compared to silica-based systems.

Why better: Predictable setting curve reduces waste, low shrinkage ensures dimensional precision, and easy reworkability lowers labor costs.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality Consistency: Each batch tested for setting time, purity, and residue on sieve (ISO 9001:2025 certified plants). Certificate of Analysis (COA) included with every shipment.

• Supply Reliability: Multiple production hubs (Asia, MENA, Europe) with 50,000+ MT monthly capacity. No single-point failure risk.

• Logistics Capability: Bagged or bulk loading; 48-hour dispatch for standard grades. Specialized moisture-barrier containers available.

• Price Competitiveness: $120–250/MT FOB based on grade and volume – directly competitive with regional Chinese, Turkish, and Middle Eastern suppliers.

• Sustainability: Gypsum sourced from desulfurization of flue gases (FGD gypsum) at select plants, reducing landfill waste and mining impact.

• Technical Support: On-call application engineering for setting time modification, retarder/admixture compatibility, and mold design optimization.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): 20 MT (one full 20FT container equivalent)

• Loading Capacity (per 20FT container):

  • 24–26 MT (jumbo bags or palletized 25 kg bags)

  • 20 MT (small bags for manual handling markets)

• Loading Capacity (per 40FT HC container): Up to 26 MT (jumbo bags only, weight-limited)

• Delivery terms: FOB, CIF, CFR (major global ports)

• Lead time: 7–14 days after LC or deposit confirmation

• Pricing range: $120/MT(constructiongrade,bulk,1000+MT)–$250/MT (medical grade, palletized, <100 MT)