The core difference between plasterboard and gypsum lies in their nature: gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral, while plasterboard is a manufactured construction material primarily made from gypsum.
Gypsum is the essential raw material—a soft sulfate mineral—whereas plasterboard (also widely known as drywall or gypsum board) is a rigid panel used extensively in building construction.
Understanding Gypsum
Gypsum is a common, naturally occurring soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO₄·2H₂O). It's found in evaporite deposits, often as a result of ancient seas evaporating. This mineral is significant because of its unique properties, including fire resistance and ease of processing.
- Mineral Form: Gypsum typically appears as white, translucent, or sometimes grey crystalline masses.
- Raw Material: It serves as a fundamental ingredient for numerous products beyond construction, such as fertilizer, a component in cement, and even in food as a coagulant in tofu.
- Forms Plaster of Paris: A significant derivative of gypsum is Plaster of Paris, which is produced by heating gypsum to remove most of its water content. When mixed with water, Plaster of Paris hardens quickly, making it suitable for casts, molds, and decorative architectural elements.
For more information on gypsum as a mineral, you can refer to resources from geological surveys like the U.S. Geological Survey.
Understanding Plasterboard
Plasterboard, also commonly referred to as drywall, gypsum board, or sheetrock, is a modern construction material that has largely replaced traditional wet plaster applications for interior walls and ceilings. It consists of a core of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper or fiberglass mats.
- Construction Material: Plasterboard is engineered for efficiency and performance in building. It's designed to be lightweight yet rigid, easy to cut, and simple to install.
- Composition: The gypsum core provides its inherent fire resistance and sound-dampening qualities, while the paper facing offers a smooth surface ready for paint, wallpaper, or other finishes.
- Applications: It is widely used for:
- Creating interior walls and ceilings in residential and commercial buildings.
- Providing fire-rated assemblies.
- Enhancing sound insulation between rooms.
- Achieving smooth, uniform surfaces quickly.
For detailed specifications and uses of plasterboard, industry associations like the Gypsum Association provide comprehensive resources.
Key Differences Summarized
To further clarify the distinction, here's a comparative table:
| Feature | Gypsum | Plasterboard (Drywall/Gypsum Board) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | A naturally occurring mineral | A manufactured building material |
| Form | Raw rock, powder (e.g., Plaster of Paris) | Rigid panel (sheet) |
| Role | Raw material, chemical compound | Finished construction product |
| Primary Use | Ingredient for plaster, cement, fertilizer, etc. | Walls, ceilings, partitions in buildings |
| Appearance | Crystalline or powdery | Flat, smooth sheet, typically white/grey |
The Relationship Between Gypsum and Plasterboard
The relationship is hierarchical: plasterboard is a product made from gypsum. Gypsum is the primary component of the plasterboard's core. The mineral is mined, processed into a fine powder, and then mixed with water and additives to form a slurry. This slurry is then pressed between paper layers and dried to create the rigid, fire-resistant panels we know as plasterboard.
Therefore, while you might hear people use "gypsum board" and "plasterboard" interchangeably, it's important to remember that "gypsum" refers to the raw mineral itself, and "plasterboard" (or "gypsum board") refers to the finished construction panel.
