Or for making small sculptures. The technology for preparing the solution is quite simple. The main thing is to know in what ratio the components are mixed. It is worth noting that gypsum is the main material for making crafts.
What is gypsum
Before answering the question of how to properly dilute gypsum for crafts, it is worthwhile to figure out what kind of material it is. First of all, it is very flexible. Gypsum can be applied to almost any kind of surface. The material is easy to process and quickly hardens. Gypsum is used in many industries: as a fertilizer, as one of the components of paper and pulp production, as a component of enamels and paints. The material is also used for the manufacture of internal decorative elements. Gypsum is often used as a binder in construction.
Material disadvantages
Since diluting gypsum for crafts is a simple process, it is worth considering certain drawbacks of the material. This will make it much easier to work with him. First of all, gypsum has low hygroscopicity and strength. Therefore, use decorative elements made from this material in rooms with high humidity Not recommended. In such situations, additional processing is required. For reliability, finished crafts should be covered with a coating layer that protects against moisture.
Before starting work, the hygroscopicity of gypsum products should be taken into account. They are well absorbed by any coating. Therefore, it is recommended to apply a primer coat on the surface of the product. Only then can a coating that protects against moisture be used.
How to dilute plaster for crafts: proportions
There are several basic ways to make gypsum mortar for making crafts. The easiest method is to dilute the powder with water. In this case, it is important to observe all proportions. For 7 parts of gypsum, at least 10 parts of water are required. It is worth noting that it is worth preparing the solution with extreme caution so that there are no lumps. It is recommended to add gypsum to water, and not vice versa. This method also eliminates the formation of dust.
This solution is easy to use. From it you can make products of almost any shape. However, it is worth considering that crafts are not very strong. They break and crumble easily. So how to breed plaster for crafts?
Method two
So, how to breed gypsum for crafts. This method preparing the solution is a little more complicated than the previous one. However, the mixture allows you to make stronger and more reliable products that retain their appearance for many years.
To prepare the solution requires: 6 parts of gypsum, 10 parts of water, 1 part The components are gently mixed until a homogeneous mass is formed.
Production of colored plaster
How to breed plaster for crafts different colors? This will require:
- Gypsum.
- Gouache.
- Water is ordinary.
- Bank with a lid.
- Dishes for preparing the solution.
- Spoon, spatula or stick.
kneading process
So, how to dilute gypsum for crafts from a multi-colored solution? In fact, the process is quite simple. To begin with, it is worth pouring gouache into the jar and the amount of water necessary to prepare the solution. In order for the paint to dissolve completely, it is recommended to close the jar with a lid and shake it a little.
The colored water should be poured into the dishes where the solution will be prepared. Here, observing all proportions, it is necessary to gradually add gypsum. Pour the powder into the liquid in a thin stream, constantly mixing the components. This will achieve a uniform consistency of the solution. The mixture should resemble thick sour cream. Stir the solution thoroughly during preparation so that there are no lumps and air bubbles. Otherwise, in finished product holes are formed.
How long do crafts dry
Now you know how to dilute gypsum for crafts. How long do products dry? The gypsum solution sets and gradually hardens 4 minutes after its manufacture. Therefore, work with the finished material should be quick and accurate. Complete hardening of gypsum occurs within half an hour. To make the setting of the solution slower, it is worth adding a little water-soluble animal-based glue to the solution.
What can replace gypsum
At the moment, there are many creative kits for sale. How to dilute gypsum for crafts Lori, and the material from other kits for creating figurines, as a rule, is always indicated in the instructions. It should be studied before starting work, as the solution dries quickly. It should be noted that in some kits for creativity, gypsum analogues are used. The most common of them is alabaster.
This powder has a grayish tint and has a fine structure. The material is obtained as a result of heat treatment of two-water gypsum. Thanks to this, the finished solution received completely different characteristics. It is worth noting that outwardly alabaster and gypsum are very similar.
What is the difference between alabaster and gypsum
Among the main differences between these substances, it is worth highlighting:
How long does alabaster crafts dry?
You can determine the solidification time of the material by examining the technical characteristics of the mixture. In general, the setting of the alabaster solution is observed 6 minutes after the dilution of the substance. Partial hardening occurs after 30 minutes. It is worth noting that a strengthened and dried solution is able to withstand a load of 5 MPa. Alabaster dries completely within 1-2 days. Despite the fact that products made from this material are stronger, it is not recommended to use the solution for activities with children, as it is not entirely safe for health. Gypsum in this case is preferable.
2 Advantages and disadvantages
3 Selecting a container for the preparation of mortar
4 In what proportions to dilute alabaster
How to breed for plaster walls
5.1 Video instruction for the preparation of plaster
6 How to work with the composition
What is alabaster and its scope Building alabaster Building alabaster is elastic and light material, so it is easy to process Building alabaster is a white, fine-grained dry mix that is used in the construction industry. At the same time, the scope of this material is quite large, because alabaster is used to solve construction problems, as well as in the manufacture of elements decorative finishes. Let's single out the main types of work that are performed using alabaster: finishing manipulations: for example, sealing seams, holes, cracks and chips; electrical work (for fixing electrical cables in grooves for laying communications); puttying of walls and other enclosing structures; manufacture of slopes and lighthouses. In the last two cases, alabaster is not recommended to be used in its pure form, because it hardens very quickly, which complicates the high-quality performance of these delicate works. Therefore, the mixture is often simply added to the mortar so that it sets better.
Advantages and disadvantages The great popularity of the mixture is due to its technological characteristics. The fact is that when in contact with water, alabaster instantly hardens. As a result, builders use it just in cases where fast and high-quality surface finishing is necessary. Construction alabaster such positive qualities are inherent: high setting speed; low density; fire resistance; good sound insulation. This is interesting: Alabaster - light finishing material, so it does not shrink when solidified. In addition, it does not harm health, as it is an environmentally friendly material. Despite the rapid hardening of building gypsum, it still lacks strength. The material is not able to withstand heavy loads. Moreover, even hardened solution can absorb water vapor, so alabaster is not recommended for use in rooms with high humidity. A solution based on this mixture also does not tolerate exposure to hot and dry air. In this case, the material loses moisture reserves, loses viscosity and simply crumbles.
The choice of container for the preparation of mortar Due to the high rate of solidification of the mixture, its dilution with water is slightly different from the preparation of others mortars. First of all, this concerns the type of container used. A bucket or bowl will not work here, because the alabaster will solidify in them, and you will have to constantly remove it from the walls of the vessel. Therefore, most experienced builders prefer to breed alabaster in rubber containers and in small quantities. This allows you to easily get the remains of the substance by compressing the elastic container. You can make such a device from an ordinary camera or an old rubber ball by cutting it in half. If you need to dilute a large amount of alabaster at a time, then you should put a plastic film inside the container and fix it well around the edges.
However, before each next preparation of the solution process, you will have to repeat this procedure. In what proportions to dilute alabaster The process of preparing a solution of alabaster It is desirable to dilute alabaster in a rubber container so that it is convenient to remove its residues. The process of mixing a solution of alabaster requires strict observance of proportions. The procedure for preparing the mixture is as follows: Pour 0.5 liters of water into a rubber container. We fall asleep 1 kilogram of alabaster, that is, in a ratio of 2: 1. The dry mixture should be added gradually, stirring the substance in parallel. The solution should be homogeneous. While interfering with it for a long time not worth it - this will lead to a loss of strength of the final material. After five minutes, the mixture will begin to thicken. Full hardening will occur approximately twenty minutes after kneading. Useful advice: Prepare as much solution as you can use in five minutes.
This solution is great for fixing cracks in the wall and fixing engineering communications laid in strobes. How to dilute for wall plaster Preparation of lime-gypsum mortar for plaster Lime mortar for plaster with the addition of alabaster must be prepared very quickly and in small quantities so that it does not have time to harden First you need to decide on the type of mortar, which is selected depending on the type finishing works. So, if the outer walls of the building are being leveled, then it is advisable to use a cement-based mortar; indoors, it is advisable to use a lime mixture. But the solution with the addition of alabaster (lime-gypsum) is ideal for eliminating all kinds of errors.
Mixing mortar for plaster begins with the creation of a dry mixture, which is then diluted with water with the addition of alabaster substance. As a container, you can use any container with a flat bottom and walls at least 10 cm high (box, trough, bowl or bucket). The procedure is as follows: Pour the sand evenly into the container. Add lime test in a ratio of 1:5. Thoroughly mix the mixture with a shovel or construction mixer to a homogeneous state. Gradually add water while stirring the solution. Ready mix should have the consistency of fatty sour cream. We prepare alabaster dough with the expectation that its ratio to the finished lime mortar should be 1: 4. Add the gypsum substance to the container with the original mixture and mix well, but not for very long. Helpful Hint: Based on the fact that the lime-gypsum mortar begins to harden after about five minutes, mix the amount of mortar that you can use during this time. At the same time, it is advisable to spend no more than two minutes on the preparation of the portions themselves.
Video instruction for the preparation of plaster mortar
How to work with the composition Grouting the plastered surface At the final stage of plastering the walls, the surface is treated with a grater. After preparing the mortar for plaster, you should immediately proceed to its use. If you decide to do this work with your own hands, then you need to familiarize yourself with the main techniques, techniques and the procedure for applying the solution in advance. At the first stage, the so-called surface spraying is performed. The solution is applied by means of a trowel - hand tool, which is a blade with a curved handle. To properly spray the work surface, you need to draw a little solution on the trowel, and from a short distance, with a sharp movement of the brush, we throw the mixture onto the wall. The main thing here is not to overdo it, otherwise the solution will not fall on the wall, but will simply splatter. At the second stage, a primer is applied using a wide spatula. If the plaster is made along the lighthouses, then the soil layer is leveled by the rule according to the installed rails. Following this, apply a thin upper layer plasters.
Important: Covering should be carried out before the primer dries or moisten the latter with a brush or roller. When the coating itself dries, it is necessary to process the plaster with a plastic building float. This action should be performed in a counterclockwise circular motion, pressing the tool firmly against the plastered surface. As you can see, mixing mortar for plaster with the addition of alabaster and the process of finishing the walls are not particularly difficult. Observe the proportions when preparing the building mixture, properly apply the solution to the surface - and the plaster will serve you for many years.
Alabaster- it building plaster, which has a snow-white tint, sometimes gray and pale red. It has a significantly lower hardness, unlike various minerals. Alabaster is a soft material, and in terms of properties it lags behind only talc. Alabaster is used in the manufacture of small sculptures, as well as watch boxes and other crafts. In our shop" Mixes Moscow”(it is located where the building materials market is located near Auchan) there is a lot of this type of material.
How to breed alabaster correctly?
First you need to choose a great alabaster in our store. For example, we sell dry building mixes Eunice Alabaster 5kg. There are purified alabaster mixtures, they are also sold with dirt impurities. The main thing is that it should be noted on the packaging that this is a purified mixture. This composition mixes better and carefully seals holes. Thus, the material will last a long time.
Before diluting the alabaster, you need to take an old rubber ball and cut it into 2 parts. The alabaster lags behind the rubber perfectly and can be removed without problems. In addition, one ball can immediately provide you with containers in two quantities. If you stir this material in ordinary dishes, then you will most likely spoil the solution and you will not be able to use it anymore. The material hardens quickly and after that it is not diluted with water, and the alabaster will harden, the dishes will be damaged.
If, nevertheless, you did not find such a ball, then use a pot or bucket. However, before kneading the alabaster, it is worth laying out the container from the inside with polyethylene. And this must be done so that there are no gaps. In addition, the edges polyethylene film you need to hook on the bucket itself with rubber twine so that they cannot roll inside. It is clear that if the alabaster gets into the bucket, then they can only be thrown away ...
Mixing alabaster mortar is similar to the procedure for making wallpaper paste. First, the alabaster mixture is poured into a bowl of water. If it is one kilogram of material, then water for the composition will need about 0.5 liters. Everything is thoroughly mixed in order to form a mass similar in consistency to thick sour cream.
After the mixture has been prepared, you need to wait thirty seconds for the components to adhere, and then immediately get to work. Otherwise, the composition will harden, so you will have to do the mixture again. After all the work is completed, you must immediately wash all the tools from the alabaster.
Thanks to their positive qualities, alabaster is widely used in the construction industry. However, when using it, it is important to be careful, because after the dry powder comes into contact with water, it hardens very quickly. It is this property of alabaster that made it so popular. Therefore, it is used in cases where it is necessary to carry out work quickly and without loss of quality, for example, when laying wires. In this article, we invite you to learn how to breed alabaster.
This material has the following properties:
- durability;
- when applying the mixture, a flat surface is formed;
- strength;
- water resistance;
- crack resistance;
- high degree of sound insulation.
Among positive sides alabaster, we can distinguish the following:
- Grab speed. For some jobs, this is very important.
- Fire resistance.
- When solidified, it does not shrink.
- Not dangerous to the human body.
- The ability to withstand loads.
Given the fact that alabaster absorbs moisture, it is not recommended to use it in a room with high humidity.
Among the minuses, one can single out poor resistance to dry and humid air. In the absence of moisture, alabaster loses its technical properties and it just falls apart.
As for the proportions, they are prescribed by building codes and regulations. For example, according to SNIP, they are expressed as follows: 650 ml of water should be consumed per 1 kg of dry mixture or lime mortar. For fastening the wire during electrical work, 1 kg accounts for 500 ml of water. If it is necessary to obtain a liquid mixture of alabaster, then the proportion is 1: 1.
Unlike other solutions, such as putty, alabaster dries very quickly. For this reason, it is necessary to take seriously the choice of dishes for kneading alabaster dough. It is not recommended to use a metal bowl or bucket. In this case, it will be difficult for you to remove residues from their surface. Therefore, it is best to dilute the solution in a rubber or plastic container. Dried alabaster is removed by compressing the dishes.
If it is necessary to knead in a small portion and once, then lay it in any convenient container plastic bag. Fix the film securely around the edges. When finished, the film is removed.
Alternatively, you can knead in an old rubber ball. To do this, cut it and knead it in the inside. Also can be cut plastic bottle(1.5 or 2 l) lengthwise.
Construction alabaster is prepared in different proportions, in relation to water, based on the purpose of its use. So, if it is necessary to align walls or partitions, then the mixture is kneaded 1: 1. To install junction boxes, a viscous mass is required - 2: 1.
If during the work the alabaster began to harden, then do not try to add water to it. It should be thrown away immediately.
The kneading process itself boils down to the fact that you add the dry mixture to water, but not vice versa. The process of adding powder should be gradual. Otherwise, there is a risk that the entire mass will be taken in a lump that cannot be broken. As an option for stirring, you can use a drill with a mixer attachment. In this case, you will be able to make a batch without a single lump.
The consistency of alabaster should resemble thick sour cream. For all components of the mixture to react, it is enough to wait half a minute. After that, you can cover up the cracks or perform other actions. All work must be carried out quickly and at the same time accurately.
After finishing work, it is important to thoroughly rinse all tools; it is recommended to wash in warm water.
When mixing, use only cold water room temperature. Hot water speeds up the setting process several times.
So, we examined with you the features of alabaster for walls, as well as the technique of kneading it. By following all the above recommendations, we hope that you will be able to make the correct kneading of alabaster.
Video
How to make alabaster more plastic will be discussed in the video:
Alabaster- one of the oldest building materials, known to masters for more than 5 thousand years. And it is still in demand, despite the appearance of numerous dry building mixtures and the tightened requirements of the construction industry. Why?
Gypsum = alabaster?
People who are not involved in construction sometimes get confused in terms: it seems to some that gypsum and alabaster are synonyms, everyone just calls it the way they are used to, to others that alabaster is the best and high-quality variety of gypsum.
Some even believe that alabaster is a stone from which statues are sculpted, and when crushed, it is used for finishing work, so it is harder and whiter than gypsum.
So what is alabaster?
This is really a "subspecies" of gypsum. Like building gypsum, it is obtained from a natural mineral - gypsum stone, both of them are calcium sulfate, onlythe first is dihydrate (CaSO4 2H2O)
, aalabaster - semi-aqueous (CaSO4 0.5H2O)
.
The mineral is crushed and then fired at a temperature of about 180C.
The grinding of alabaster is finer than that of building gypsum, and therefore this material has less plasticity, but greater hardness.
Also his unique feature are the drying times - the alabaster mortar sets on average in 5 minutes, that is, much faster than other building mixtures.
These properties narrow the scope of alabaster to construction and finishing works, while gypsum can be used in many industries, including medicine, jewelry, casting, art, etc.
Characteristics and types of alabaster
The main average characteristics of alabaster are presented in the table below:
| Compressive strength | 4.0 MPa |
| Bending strength | 2.0 MPa |
| Binder brand | G5 - G6 for building mixtures, as well as for the production of drywall, gypsum boards and gypsum boards r13–g25 for the production of high strength elements |
| Water consumption (in terms of 1 kg of dry mix, according to snip) | 0.65-0.70 liters |
| setting time | 5-30 minutes from start to finish |
| fire resistance | n heating up to 700° without damage |
| Color | White, pearl gray, yellowish, light green, light pink (the color depends on the characteristics of the deposit and, according to experts, does not affect the strength properties of the finished surface) |
Since one of the main features of the mixture is a quick set of strength, there are three types of alabaster according to the hardening speed:
Benefits of alabaster
Fast and straight! Due to the speed of setting, the surface can be leveled in just minutes, and after an hour, and even if taken with a margin, it is already ready for further processing.
Alabaster solution has high adhesion and great fit on almost any prepared surface
Frozen alabaster has good strength properties. To this day, elements of palaces and temples have been preserved, which are already more than 5 thousand years old, and they are in excellent condition. Drying, the material does not shrink and is resistant to cracks.
hardened alabaster absorbs noise, therefore, it can be used as an auxiliary material for sound insulation.
6 hours exposure to open fire- this is how much alabaster is able to withstand without significant deformations. It does not burn itself and prevents the spread of flame.
As part of the material no chemical additives, it is environmentally friendly and can be safely used in bedrooms, nurseries, etc.
Democratic compared to similar dry building mixtures price.
The use of alabaster
Due to the characteristics of the material, the range of use of alabaster in construction is wide: it is relevant for the production of drywall, in demand by professional builders, and is also often used by private traders for minor repairs.
- Correction of cosmetic wall defects, ceilings and surfaces GKL / GVL. Alabaster mixture is traditionally used to eliminate various chips, dents, cracks, etc.
- Surface preparation for finishing Alabaster mix is great for puttying walls and partitions in rooms with normal humidity, it is used to prepare surfaces for wallpaper of all types, as well as decorative plaster. Some builders use alabaster even in bathrooms, under tiles, but in this case it is necessary that the material is completely hidden by the cladding and does not come into contact with water. This principle is also true for the kitchen, because alabaster absorbs wet vapors.
- Electric installation work Alabaster is the joy of an electrician, the most convenient material that allows you to quickly fix the cable in the wall without the risk that it will move while the mixture dries. In addition, many use it when installing socket boxes, because. even when the plug is roughly pulled out of the socket, the structure, due to the hardness of the alabaster, is guaranteed to remain in the wall, which sometimes more expensive and modern dry mixes cannot provide.
- Interior design. When decorating rooms with stucco often occurs specific problem: cast plaster elements have a solid weight and therefore must be firmly fixed to the base. This is especially true for ceilings. And alabaster in this case - perfect option. He will also come to the rescue for masking and repairing small flaws in stucco molding and is indispensable for restoration work.
Preparation for work
When working with alabaster, half of the success depends on the quality of preparation, namely, on the selection of containers and tools.
To make the process easier, consider the following principles.
- There is no metal container! Alabaster will firmly stick to the iron walls, which means loss of material, inconvenience and damaged capacity. Plastic dishes are better, but rubber is still the most comfortable option: the solution does not stick to the springy walls, and after finishing work, the dried residues are easily shaken out, for this it is enough to squeeze the form several times and then turn it over. In addition, if desired, construction stores you can buy special buckets for working with plaster.
- There is no container with the remnants of the solution right away! The dried mortar accelerates the hardening of the new batch to be mixed.
- As for the spatula, modern tools from plastic or rubber, the mixture does not stick to them. But a classic steel spatula is also quite suitable, better than a new one: according to the observations of some craftsmen, rust accelerates the setting of an already rapidly hardening mortar
For small mix volumes
Small portions of alabaster are conveniently closed in kapron buckets or compact rubber containers. Often, builders use halves of ordinary children's balls of a suitable diameter.
For stirring "small doses" of the alabaster mixture, a spatula is optimal.
For large volumes
Plastic or rubber bucket line with a single piece of cellophane, dense and without holes, pinch the “tails” to the edges of the container so that the polyethylene does not move during stirring; after use, the film is simply removed from the bucket and thrown away.
It is convenient to stir the solution with a construction mixer, and in its absence, with a drill with a nozzle.
Closing and working with mortar
It is important to answer three questions here: in what proportion to close, how exactly to close and what nuances should be taken into account when kneading?
Actually, the proportions depend on the purposes for which the solution is planned to be used. SNiP recommends the following ratios:
In order not to ruin the material and get a quality solution, strictly adhere to technology.
remember, that the mixture is added to the water, but in no case vice versa!
powder need pour gradually like flour in pancake dough, and mix thoroughly until the mass is homogeneous.
The correct putty mortar has the consistency of mousse or yogurt.
If the solution begins to harden, and you didn't use it or do what you planned just throw it away without trying to "reanimate" by adding water. With alabaster, the principle “she died so she died” is 200% correct, the seized solution is no longer suitable for anything.
When applying the solution, make a note that when it dries, the material increases slightly in volume.
Masters Tips:
1. Theory and SniPs- this, of course, is good, but in practice, alas, the dry mixture can behave differently, it all depends on the brand and even the batch. Therefore, before closing the entire required volume, test with 100 grams of material.
2. For mixing use cold water.
3. When mixing the mortar, it is definitely worth strive for uniformity. However, overdoing it is also fraught: there is an opinion that too long and thorough mixing, especially with a mixer, breaks the structure of the alabaster, as a result of which it loses its strength.
How to prolong the viability of alabaster solution?
Novice craftsmen, as well as private traders without experience and building dexterity, when working with alabaster, often wonder if it is possible to slow down the hardening of the mortar a little.
And there really are such ways. Some of them are quite scientific, some refer to "folk" methods, which, nevertheless, have shown themselves well in practice.
Method 1. Bone glue.
A good old tool, approved by more than one generation of builders. When mixing, any bone-based glue is added, whether it be slightly diluted paint or carpentry. The main thing is the dosage: 2% of the total weight of the mixture.
Method 2. Citric acid
The recipe is as follows: for 0.5 cups of alabaster, take 4-5 grains citric acid and throw while kneading in cold water. However, the masters note that, with apparent simplicity, the method is not universal, since the amount of acid must be selected for a specific alabaster mixture, that is, tests and experiments are required.
Method 3. PVA glue
Here the builders are divided into two camps. Some say that 3% PVA per mass of the mixture gives great result, that is, they prolong the viability of the solution almost several times and in the future do not affect its strength in any way. Others object to them - they say that the film that PVA forms on the surface during drying can block the evaporation of water, so that recrystallization and coarsening of sodium sulfate hydrate crystals are likely, and this leads to a deterioration in strength characteristics.
How to choose and where to buy?
It would seem that alabaster is a simple mixture, without chemicals, without plasticizers, take the first bag of any brand that comes across and go ahead, because it is difficult to spoil the material. However, there are still nuances in the choice.
- Since alabaster is extremely susceptible to moisture, it must be stored in dry rooms. So it is advisable to purchase the mixture in stores, and not in the markets, where the tightness of containers often leaves much to be desired, and even more so not on open-air sites.
- Check the integrity of the packaging carefully, because at the slightest violation of it, there is a chance that the material has partially or completely lost its properties.
- As simple as the alabaster mixture is, It is worth choosing not only by price, but also by the manufacturer: large manufacturers are a priority, because they, thanks to an established and regulated production, are ready to ensure quality stability, while for noname brands, the quality can greatly “dance” from batch to batch.
- Give back preference for brands, on the packages of which the proportions for mixing their mixture are indicated, because, despite the norms of SNiP, recommendations may vary.