Calcium sulfate

Calcium sulfate

Description

Commonly found in three forms: anhydrous (Anhydrite), dihydrate (Gypsum) and hemihydrate (Plaster of Paris). Anhydrite is a colorless, inert pigment which is often used as a paper filler. Calcium sulfate dihydrate is used in the manufacture of portland cement. Gypsum is also used as a filler and pigment in paints, enamels, glazes, and paper. Plaster of Paris is used for wall plaster, wallboard, moldings, and statuary.

Calcium sulfate

Synonyms and Related Terms

anhydrite; gypsum; plaster; terra alba; alabaster; calcium sulphate (Br.); mineral white; crown filler; alabastine; pearl filler

Other Properties

Particle size = 0.2 micrometers

Composition	CaSO4
CAS	10101-41-4
Molecular Weight	mol. wt. = 136.14
Refractive Index	1.21; 1.52; 1.53

Hazards and Safety

Noncombustible

Comparisons

Characteristics of Common White Pigments

Sources Checked for Data in Record

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 1753

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982

• Thomas B. Brill, Light Its Interaction with Art and Antiquities, Plenum Press, New York City, 1980 Comment: ref. index = 1.21; 1.52; 1.53