What is Plaster of Paris ?
Plaster of Paris is basically a building material that consists of a fine, white-colored
powder, known as calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used
Plaster of Paris for sculpting their tombs and other monuments, as well as for fireproofing
in buildings. Plaster of Paris is obtained by heating gypsum or calcium sulfate
dihydrate to about 140 - 180°C. When gypsum is heated to such a temperature, it
loses three-quarters of its water content, leading to the formation of Plaster of
Paris. The name Plaster of Paris is derived from the large deposits of gypsum in
the Montmartre hill in Paris.
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