Test No.

4
Setting time of Gypsum
Introduction:

Gypsum is one of the important and extensively used materials.

Construction types (residential, non-residential, new or refurbished), ranging
from complex high-tech systems to easy to install products adapted for use by
the general public.

Among the products of gypsum, gypsum plaster and gypsum plaster

board find the maximum application in building.. Gypsum containing up to 70%
of CaSO 4 .2H 2 O can be used for building purposes. A less pure material needs
some purification before use.

When the gypsum powder is reacted with water, it becomes a paste like
composite with the passage of few minutes it won’t be shaped or molded and
consequently stiffened. For this reason, its setting time should be investigated
and compared the specifications.

Purpose of the test:

This test method is used to determine the setting time of gypsum plaster

Apparatus:
1. Vicat Apparatus:
The Vicat apparatus shall consist of a frame, A, bearing a movable
rod, B, weighing 300 g, one end, C, the plunger end, being 10 mm in
diameter for a distance of not less than 50 mm, the other end having a
removable needle, D, 1 mm in diameter and 50 mm in length. The ring,
G, shall be made of a non-corroding, nonabsorbent material and shall
have an inside diameter of 70 mm at the base and 60 mm at the top, and a
height of 40 mm.
2. Balance, capable of weighing not less than 500 g at a precision of 0.1 g.
3. Stopwatch or Clock, for determining setting time.

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Procedure:

1. Weigh 200gm of gypsum and mix with amount of water as a percent of

gypsum weight (for example 50% of gypsum weight).
2. Place the conical ring on the base plate and fill the ring with the paste
level with the top of the ring.
3. Position the end of the needle so that it just touches the top surface of the
paste and tighten the screw.
4. Release the screw so that the needle falls freely into the paste at equal
periods (1 minute).
5. After each penetration, wipe the needle clean, and move the base plate
and ring slightly so that the needle will not strike the same place twice.
6. Setting time is complete when the needle no longer penetrates to the
paste.
7. Record the time period from the time of mixing to the time that the needle
cannot penetrate to the paste

Specification:

According to the Iraqi specification the setting time of gypsum must not
be less than 8 minutes and not more than 25 minutes.

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 Data Sheet

Test No.: 4

Title: Setting time of gypsum

Student Name:

Group No.:

Date of testing:

Specimen Setting time

Signature