Publication Date

5-2014

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Cathleen Webb (Director), Quentin Lineberry, Stuart Burris, Kevin Williams

Degree Program

Department of Chemistry

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

This research is part of an ongoing project to create gypsum wallboards with enhanced fire resistance. The main goal of this research is to better understand the dehydration properties of calcium sulfate dihydrate, and the hydration of calcium sulfate hemihydrate as well as anhydrous calcium sulfate. The lab-scale kinetics of these processes were studied using thermogravimetric analysis and sorption analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the products from different processes. In addition to the instrumental studies, small batches were handled in ovens and liquid slurries to better mimic the real world processing of these materials. The effects of temperature, time and humidity were investigated to determine their influence on the kinetics of dehydration/hydration of different hydration forms of calcium sulfate.

Disciplines

Analytical Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry

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