1706. Calcium Sulfate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7778-18-9
Sulfuric acid calcium salt (1:1).
CaO4S; mol wt 136.14.
Ca 29.44%, O 47.01%, S 23.55%.
CaSO4.

Description and references

Review: R. J. Wenk, P. L. Henkels in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology vol. 4 (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 3rd ed., 1978) pp 437-448.

Properties

The natural form of anhydrous calcium sulfate is known as the mineral anhydrite; also as karstenite, muriacite, anhydrous sulfate of lime, anhydrous gypsum. Crystals are orthorhombic, color varies, e.g., white with blue, gray or reddish tinge, or brick red. d 2.96. Hardness 3-3.5 (Mohs'). Sol in water (18.75°) 0.2 pts/100 pts. Insoluble anhydrite or dead-burned gypsum which has the same crystal structure as the mineral is obtained upon complete dehydration of gypsum at above 650°. Soluble anhydrite is obtained in granular or powder form by complete dehydration of gypsum at below 300° in an electric oven. Estimated pore space is 38% by volume. Possesses high affinity for water and will absorb 6.6% of its weight of water forming the stable hemihydrate.

Derivative

Hemihydrate.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 26499-65-0
Dried calcium sulfate; dried gypsum; plaster of Paris; Annalin.
CaO4S. 1/2 H2O; mol wt 145.15.
Ca 27.61%, O 49.60%, S 22.09%, H 0.69%.

Properties

Fine, odorless, tasteless powder. When mixed with water, sets to a hard mass. Keep well closed.

Derivative

Dihydrate.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 13397-24-5
Native calcium sulfate; precipitated calcium sulfate; gypsum; alabaster; selenite; terra alba; satinite; mineral white; satin spar; light spar.
CaO4S.2H2O; mol wt 172.17.
Ca 23.28%, O 55.76%, S 18.62%, H 2.34%.

Properties

Lumps or powder. d 2.32. It loses only part of its water at 100-150°. Sol in water; very slowly sol in glycerol. Practically insol in most organic solvents.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure to anhydrous compd, dihydrate or hemihydrate are irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membranes, respiratory system; cough. Potential symptoms of overexposure to anhydrous compd also include conjunctivitis; rhinitis, epistaxis. Potential symptoms of overexposure to dihydrate also include sneezing, rhinorrhea. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) pp 48, 154, 260.

Use

Anhydrous: Insol anhydrite is used in cement formulations and as a paper filler. Soluble anhydride, because of its strong tendency to absorb moisture, is useful as a drying agent for solids, organic liquids and gases; the desiccant used in laboratory and industry is known under the name Drierite. This material can be regenerated repeatedly and reused without noticeable decrease in its desiccating efficiency. The hemihydrate is used for wall plasters; wallboard; tiles and blocks for the building industry; moldings; statuary; in the paper industry. The dihydrate is used in the manuf of portland cement; in soil treatment to neutralize alkali carbonates and to prevent loss of volatile and dissolved nitrogenous compounds by volatilization and leaching; for the manuf of plaster of Paris, artificial marble; as a white pigment, filler or glaze in paints, enamels, pharmaceuticals, paper, insecticide dusts, yeast manuf, water treatment, polishing powders; in the manuf of sulfuric acid, CaC2, (NH4)2SO4, porous polymers; in the determn of oxalates. Pharmaceutic aid (in plaster casts).