skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Interrelationship of Thermal Effects on Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate Casts Containing Borax and Kaolin: Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Contact Dilatometry

Journal Article · · Materials Performance and Characterization
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1520/MPC20180131· OSTI ID:1498474
 [1];  [2]
  1. New Mexico Inst. of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM (United States). Dept. of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Coatings & Additive Manufacturing Dept.

The core composition of gypsum wallboard is calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O) with varying impurities, additives, or both. This study compares here two commercially calcined sources of hemihydrate (CaSO4·½H2O) from a natural source and a synthetic by-product of flue gas desulfurization and neutralization to reagent grade hemihydrate. Two common ingredients, borax and kaolin, are mixed into a slurry with distilled water. The analysis supports the hypothesis that minor components in the cast have an effect on the high temperature performance of gypsum casts. The analysis is enhanced when the differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and dilatometry data are combined to study the changes in density versus heat flow. Specifically, the thermal performance is affected by (1) the impurities found in hemihydrate sources; (2) during the fluidization phase, the reaction of borax with free Ca++ ions to form new borate salts that melt at lower temperatures; and (3) the intercalation of these and other ions with kaolin, providing thermal stability by reducing the formation of thermally active salts.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1498474
Report Number(s):
SAND-2019-0215J; 671414
Journal Information:
Materials Performance and Characterization, Vol. 8, Issue 1; ISSN 2379-1365
Publisher:
ASTM InternationalCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English