A Review of the Structure, Application, Production Process and Effect of Additives in Traditional Gypsum Mortar

Mortars are an integral part of historical and even modern constructions, used in different parts of their structure. Therefore, putting up a building with high quality and durability calls for attempts to enhance the quality of mortars and building materials. Generally speaking, the foremost factors responsible for the changing properties of gypsum mortars are the type of mineral deposit, the baking manner, and the additives. Thus, the present paper aimed to overview the effects of these factors on mortar properties. In studies such as this library research will be the only possible research approach to adopt. Given the distribution of gypsum deposits over diverse landscapes, the first factor affecting the properties of gypsum is the type of mine which is governed by its surrounding environment. In particular, different mines will provide gypsums with varying impurities and crystal growth conditions, which in turn will give mortars with distinctive properties. Baking method and additives will likewise affect the structure of the resultant mortars in some way. Therefore, controlling each of these factors will bring about certain variations in crystal morphology and intracrystalline space, thereby causing differences in the properties of gypsum mortars.