Alabaster

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Contents 1 Material analysis 1.1 Traditional uses 1.2 Emerging uses / trends 1.3 Finish and aesthetic qualities 1.4 Surface forms / shapes 1.5 Cost analysis 2 Material properties 2.1 Primary structural use 2.2 Material performance 2.3 Manufacturing process and assembly 3 Environmental Impact 4 Life Safety & Ratings 5 References 5.1 Notes 5.2 Student contributions 6 See also 6.1 Similar materials 6.2 Building references 7 External links 7.1 Additional resources 7.2 Leading manufacturers

Material analysis

MasterFormat Number: 00 00 00

Traditional uses

• The finer kinds of alabaster are largely used for carving and ornamental stone, especially for ecclesiastical decoration and for the rails of staircases and halls. Its softness enables it to be readily detailed into elaborate forms.
  • Sculpture
  • Detail moldings
  • Small windows
  • Alter or mantle pieces

Emerging uses / trends

• Thinly sliced alabaster is able to be lit from behind giving the appearance that it is glowing.

Finish and aesthetic qualities

• There are two groups of alabaster: Gypsum and Calcium Sulfate
  • Gypsum Alabaster is softer and is easy to work with and carve.
  • Calcium Sulfate is not as easily scratched, and is also able to be carved with great detail.
• White is the classic color associated with alabaster, the mineral can also take on other colors, such as pale brown or reddish, and it may be veined with color.
• It can be artificially dyed.
• It may be made opaque and similar in appearance to marble by a heat treatment.
• When sliced thin Alabaster can be translucent.

Surface forms / shapes

• Alabaster is naturally occuring so it can be either formed at random or be sawed, split, and chiseled into any variety of shapes.
  • Including rounded columns.

• Alabaster weighs 150lbs. per cubic feet

Cost analysis

• Depending on company and type ordered the average cost of Alabaster is:
  • (1-2000 lbs.)= $1.50 - $0.50 a (lb.)
  • (2001-5000+ lbs.) = $0.40 - $0.35 a (lb.)

Pure white or blue alabaster panels for cladding are costing in between 100-500 euro/m2 depending on quality, size and thickness.

Material properties

Primary structural use

• Never used as a main structural component, but in detailing and decorative work.

Material performance

• Alabaster is porous making it water soluble and is also easily stainable. Grime and dirt can become easily embedded in the surface. Soiling can be extremely difficult to remove.
  • Yellowing may also be caused by previous coatings or cleaning products. Strong acids and alkalis can cause discoloration, sometimes by reacting with iron-containing minerals in the alabaster.^[1]

• It can be extremely brittle and is easily bruised. It can be scratched with a fingernail.
  • Some alabaster sculptures, reliefs, and other objects have layers of decorative paint or gilding applied. These layers are extremely vulnerable to environmental conditions and careless handling.
• Can be polished to a high, translucent gloss making its surface look very hard and glass-like.
• In design projects alabaster needs to be protected by special diamond polymeres in order to make the panels scratchproof and water resistant as well as in hot areas, it needs special glass protection. For backlighting must be used cold sources like TL tubes or better LED stripes or PMMA LED edge lighting for best homogeneous shining of the interior beauty of alabaster.

Manufacturing process and assembly

• Forms by the evaporation of bedded deposits that are precipitated mainly from evaporating seawater. It is soft enough to be scratched with a fingernail and hence it is easily broken, soiled, and weathered.
• Important sources of alabaster are Algeria, Egypt, Iran, and Mexico (from which it is exported under the name Mexican onyx); in the United States there are important sources in Utah and Arizona.

Other quarries, used as main source for architectural design projects are located in Spain, Iran, Turkey and Mexico. Singular projects have been performed in the past ( lighting columns, sky-lights, facades, furniture, reception desks, interior walls ).

http://www.lumina.me

Environmental Impact

While it usually contains a variety of other minerals, alabaster is made up primarily of one main defining mineral.^[2] A finegrained form of the mineral gypsum (calcium sulfate). Being a metamorphic rocks, albaster, is formed geologically under high pressure and temperature.

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Life Safety & Ratings

• Non-flammable

References

Notes

1. ↑ http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/conserveogram/15-01.pdf
2. ↑ http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/conserveogram/15-01.pdf

Student contributions

• Sinead Rabasca Spring 2010

See also

Similar materials

• Marble
• Onyx
• Steatite

Building references

• Egyptian and Romans used Alabaster for sarcophagi, in the linings of tombs, in the walls and ceilings of temples, and in vases and sacrificial vessels.
• In modern times it was used by Muhammad Ali for his mosque in Cairo.
• The French make extensive use of alabaster in interior decoration.

External links

Additional resources

• http://www.answers.com/topic/alabaster
• http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/conserveogram/15-01.pdf

Leading manufacturers

• http://www.alabaster.es
• http://www.coloradoalabaster.com/