CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

          This project deals with the design and production of ceiling board using Plaster of Paris [POP] gypsum materials. Plaster of Paris [POP] is a white powdery mixture of gypsum. It has been named such because the first deposit of gypsum was found is Paris. This powder when mixed with water solidifies, but without losing its volume. During manufacturing process, the gypsum is heated and as such, it does not necessarily require any high heat treatment like ceramics and clays [Worrall 1999]. Because of its property to harden with just water, it is used in a number of areas, but most notably for molding decorative objects. According to Cornelis and Hurlbut (1985), plaster results from the calcinations of gypsum (CaS04.2H20), which partially dehydrates to produce a hemi-hydrate (CaS04.1/2H2O). Although plaster of paris a widely used today: its origin dated 9,000 years old and were found in Amotolia and Syria. It is also know fact those 5000 years ago, the Egyptians burnt gypsum in open-air fire, then crushed it into powder and finally mixed with water to make jointing material for the blocks of monuments, used model of plaster taken directly from the human body.  Plaster of Paris came about in 17000’s as Paris was already the “capital of plaster” (Plaster of Paris) since all the walls of wooden houses were covered with plaster, as a protection against fire. The king of France had enforced this rule after the bug London fire literally destroyed this city in 1666. Large gypsum deposits near paris have long been mined a manufacture “Plaster of Paris.