Evaluation of Some Properties of Iraqi Plaster by Using Some Additives and Microwave Drying Technique

Abstract

Aims of this study:1- Evaluation of some properties of Iraqi plaster, compressivestrength & surface roughness. 2- Improving the quality of Iraqi plaster byincorporation of some additives. 3- Studying the effect of microwave drying onthe compressive strength & surface roughness of Iraqi plaster.Methods: 56 samples of Iraqi plaster used in this study, divided into two main groupsaccording to the main tests used, 28 samples for compressive strength & 28samples for surface roughness.Samples of each test were divided into two groups (each group 14 samples).The first group was without additives, while the second includes the modifiedgypsum products (Iraqi plaster) with additives, (Gum Arabic 0.5%, calcium oxide0.75%, and ferric oxide 0.2%).Samples of each subgroup are subdivided into two subgroups also according tothe drying method of Iraqi plaster, Open air drying method & Microwave dryingmethod (7 samples for each)Measuring of both tests was done in Technology University in Baghdad.Compressive strength measurement by using (unconfined compression machine),while, surface roughness of the samples was measured by Profilometer.Results: The results showed that incorporation of additives to Iraqi plaster result inchanging their evaluated properties & Comparing with open air drying method,microwave drying enhanced the properties tested in this study.Conclusions: incorporation of additives to Iraqi plasters result in (Improvement of thecompressive strength, reduction of the surface roughness and increasesmoothness).