Effect of Different Kinds of CaSO4 Whisker on the Bending Strength and Hygroscopicity of Gypsum Board

Different kinds of hemihydrate calcium sulfate whiskers were fabricated by calcination method under the condition of 115-600 °C. And the density, moisture rate and mechanical properties of composites of gypsum and whisker were studied. The specific strength of composites was investigated. The results show that gypsum boards with whisker calcined at 115 °C and 300 °C have the maximum and minimum densities, which are about 1658 kg/m3 and 1604 kg/m3, respectively. Hydration ability of anhydrous calcium sulfate whisker is the strongest. The values of specific strength of gypsum board reinforced by different types of whiskers suggested that the porosity of the composites changed with the different kinds of whiskers, which agreed well with the moisture rate and mechanical properties.