Physiochemical and Mechanical Analysis of Local Gypsum Deposits, East Benghazi, Libya

الملخص

           The local gypsum deposits were investigated in order to determine their physical and chemical properties. General properties such as physical and chemical properties are tested using standard laboratory procedure. The raw gypsum has been produced by open pit mining technique. The study was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of gypsum from Al Mabrouk mining sites; one is a huge reserve with great thickness and two others with less thickness. Samples of gypsum from the studied sites were obtained and their physical and chemical properties were determined. They were calcined into plaster of Paris (P.O.P) in an oven between 105C (221F) and 200C (392F). The raw gypsum samples were analyzed to determine their chemical constituents using XRF technique. The major significant constituents such as Sulphur Trioxide (SO₃); Calcium Oxide (CaO); Magnesium Oxide (MgO); Sodium Oxide (Na₂O); Potassium Oxide (K₂O); Manganese Oxid (MnO); Titanium Oxide (TiO₂); Ferric Oxide (Fe20₃) and combined matter (Loss-on-ignition) were determined. Based on the previous tests the results confirmed that the investigated gypsum is suitable for several purposes e. g. cement manufacture, source sulphates, construction and production P.O.P for use in plasterboards.