Gypsum board (also known as plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum panel, sheet rock, or Drywall) is a panel made of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) with or without additives and normally pressed between a facer and a backer (typically thick sheets of paper). It is used to make interior walls and ceilings. The plaster is mixed with fibre (typically paper and/or fibreglass), plasticizer, foaming agent, and various additives that can decrease mildew, increase fire resistance, and lower water absorption.
Gypsum building materials are used in all construction types (residential, non-residential, new or refurbished), ranging from complex high-tech systems to easy to install products adapted for use by the general public.
Gypsum board is widely used for internal walls and ceilings by the construction industry, and is a material of growing importance in the do it yourself sector. Gypsum board is also a common fire barrier used in house and general building construction. Commonly gypsum boards used in walls and ceilings, in moist areas, in exterior applications, for fire resistance and area separation and special systems. Gypsum plaster board (GPB) popularly known as gypboard, is a low cost, light weight construction material made from aerated gypsum plaster and produced in varying thicknesses suitable for different applications. Gypsum is an important raw material used in the manufacture of cement. Consumption of gypsum varies from 2 to 6% in different plants depending upon the quality of clinker. India has good reserves of natural gypsum, mainly concentrated in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Besides, a number of chemical industries obtain gypsum as a byproduct in the form of phospho gypsum. The chemical gypsum can be utilised as a whole or as part substitute to natural gypsum. Many cement plants, which are located near the source of phosphogypsum are using this substitute product.
Types of Gypsum Plaster Board
Gypsum plaster boards are classified according to their use. Gypsum wall board has a face to which decoration may be applied. There are five types of gypsum board product that are considered standard. Innovation has created several new products now available.
•Standard Gypsum Board: Regular core, Flexible board, Type “X”- fire resistant, Moisture resistant and Plaster baseboard.
•Specialty Gypsum Board: Interior ceiling board, Mold & Moisture resistant, Shaft liner, Abuse resistant and Impact resistant.