Abstract:
Measurements of surface area and pore size distributions have been used to compare the two forms of calcium sulphate hemihydrate. The α-form, prepared from solution has a low surface area and transitional pores. Dehydration causes a reduction in the volume of the smaller transitional pores and subsequent rehydration causes little change. The β-form has a higher surface area and larger pores. Dehydration increases the volume of the smaller transitional pores and again the effect of rehydration is negligible.