Gypsum Products

Gypsum
Rock

or solid particles which have been

grounded into powdered form and then
heated.
Chemically, the gypsum produced for dental
applications is nearly pure Calcium Sulfate
Dihydrate (CaS042H2O)
Calcination process of heating gypsum

Open Calcination
Closed Calcination

Open Calcination
Heating

is done in a kettle or an open bath

while stirring at 110 to 120C (230 to 250F)
Produce -hemihydrate/Plaster of Paris
Plaster of Paris consists of large, irregularly
shaped orthorhombic crystal particles with
capillary pores
Microscopically, crystals are spongy and
irregular in shape

Closed Calcination
Heating

is done in autoclave at 120 to 130C

It produces hemihydrate/Dental stone
Consists of smaller, regularly shaped
crystalline particles in the form of rods or
prisms.
Crystals are prismatic and more regular in
shape

ADA Classification of Gypsum

Products

Type I:Impression/Soluble Plaster

TypeII:Plaster Model/Plaster of Paris

stronger than plaster of paris

Used as working cast that can withstand forces applied

Type IV:Dental Stone High Strength (Class II Dental Stone)

Used to make study cast/model for record purposes

TypeIII:Dental Stone (Class 1 Dental Stone)

Used to take impression

Stronger than Type III

Used as working die for crown restoration and other treatments needing
accurate measurements
Die material-refers to single tooth/several teeth

Type V:Dental Stone High Strength High Expansion

Used as investing medium to compensate the high shrinkage of

metals=chrome cobalt ion

Other Uses of Gypsum

Products
Used

for ceramics
Used for medical purposes=cast for broken
bones
Used to stabilize articulation between upper
and lower cast

Chemical Equation
CaSO42H2O

+ heat
CaSO4H2O+1H2O
(CaSO4)2H2O
Calcim Sulfate Hemihydrate

Test for Working, Setting and

Final Setting Times
Mixing

Time (MT)
Working Time (WT)
Setting Time (ST)

Mixing Time
Defined

as the time from the addition of the

powder to the water until the mixing is
completed.
Mechanical mixing of stones and plasters is
usually completed in 20 to 30 seconds.
Hand spatulation generally requires at least a
minute to obtain a smooth mix.

Working Time
Is

the time available to use a workable mix,

one that maintains a uniform consistency to
perform one or more tasks.
It is measured from the start of mixing to the
point where the consistency is no longer
acceptable for the products intended
purpose.
Generally, a 3 minute working time is
adequate

Setting Time
The

powder is mixed with water, and the time

that elapses from the beginning of mixing
until the material hardens.
This is usually measured by some type of
penetration test, using instruments like:

Vicat needle - measure initial setting time

Gillmore needle:

lb measures initial setting time

1 lb measures final setting time

Setting Time

Initial Setting Time

Measured from the start of mixing until the 2nd increase of

temperature
7-13 minutes

Final Setting Time

Measured from the start of mixing until the 2nd decrease of

temperature
20 minutes
Record the reading/temperautre of gypsum every two
minutes

Significance of Finding I.S.T.

and F.S.T.
I.S.T.

time to trim off extra plaster or stone

that overflowed,

To prevent the breakage of the cast.

F.S.T.

cast separation is done after 30 mins.

1 hour.

To prevent premature separation; prone to

breakage
To prevent powdery casts

Manipulation
Know

the W:P ratio

Put the water then powder in the bowl
Let the powder settle for 30 seconds to
remove air
Mix it using rotatory motion at 120 rpm for 1
minutes
Tap the mixture to release entrapped air

Theoretical Factors Affecting

Setting Time
Number

of nuclei crystallization

Greater number of nuclei, decrease ST, the

shorter
Few number of nuclei, increase ST, the longer

Solubility

More soluble, the faster the setting time

Rate

of the hemihydrate

of crystal growth

Faster rate of crystallization, faster setting time

Practical Factors Affecting

Setting Time

Presence of impurities like set plaster or stone

Fineness-particle size and shape of crystals

Decrease setting time,

Smaller crystals, more soluble, faster

W:P Ratio

Too thin : prone to air bubbles

Too thick : not all particles (powder) will be mixed with
water
More water, less powder : longer ST
Less water, more powder : shorter ST

Mixing Time 2 minutes

Longer time, faster mixing RPM, faster the setting time
Temperature
Up to 50C : accelerator
Above 50C : retarder
Accelerators and Retarders
Accelerators tend to remove the surface coating of crystals
making them more soluble to water : faster setting time
Low concentration of NaCl and Na2SO4
K2SO4 = best accelerator regardless the concentration
Retarders tend to create surface coating of crystals making
them less soluble to water : slower setting time
Borax, nitrates, citrates, higher concentration of NaCl and
Na2SO$

Water Powder Ratio

Type

WP Ratio

C.S. (psi)

I. Plaster
Impression

.50 -.75

290 - 870

II. Plaster of
Paris

.45 - .50

1300

III. Dental Stone

.28 - .30

3000

IV. Die Stone

.22 - .24

5000

V. Dental Stone
high strength,
high expansion

.18 - .22

7000

Example: For every 100grams of powder 50=70 cc of water

Factors Affecting Compressive

Strength
Shape

and size of the particles

W:P ratio
Mixing technique (undermixing/overmixing)
Use of chemical modifier