Abstract: A partition, mounted on a mounting surface, comprises a plurality of elongate upright members, a first board and a second board. The first board is mounted on one side of a pair of the elongate upright members that are adjacent to each other, and the second board is mounted on the other side of the same pair of adjacent elongate upright members, so as to provide a cavity between the pair of elongate upright members and the first and second boards. The partition further comprises a spacer that is located within the cavity, the maximum dimension of the spacer in the through-thickness direction of the partition being at least 90% of the separation of the two boards. The spacer may help to reduce the extent of inward bowing of the boards between adjacent elongate upright members, so that, for example, the upright members may be spaced further apart.

Abstract: A panel has a gypsum matrix, in which the following additives are embedded: glass fibre in an amount greater than 1 wt % relative to the gypsum and a synthetic polymeric binder in an amount greater than 2.5 wt % relative to the gypsum. The glass fibre and synthetic polymeric binder are present in a weight ratio of at least 2 parts binder to one part fibre. The amount of sand present in the gypsum matrix lies in the range 0-0.5 wt % relative to the gypsum. The amount of cellulosic fibre present in the gypsum matrix lies in the range 0-2 wt % relative to the gypsum.

Abstract: Lightweight construction panels, such as gypsum plaster-board, are commonly used to provide internal partitions in buildings It is known to cover, either partially or fully, the panel with an aqueous material such as gypsum plaster or jointing compound. It has been found that known panels expand when they absorb water. This gives rise to several undesirable results such as the gypsum plaster or jointing compound cracking as the panel expands as moisture is absorbed. The present invention provides a panel comprising a gypsum matrix including fibres in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, a polymeric additive in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, and at least one phosphate additive. A panel having such a composition has been found to have desirable characteristics.

Abstract: A plasterboard comprising a gypsum matrix having wood particles embedded therein in an amount of at least 2 wt % relative to the gypsum, the gypsum matrix further comprising glass fibres in an amount of at least 1 wt % relative to the gypsum.

Abstract: A plasterboard comprising a gypsum matrix having wood particles embedded therein in an amount of at least 2 wt % relative to the gypsum, the gypsum matrix further comprising glass fibres in an amount of at least 1 wt % relative to the gypsum.

Abstract: A plasterboard comprises a gypsum matrix having a polymeric additive distributed therein in an amount of at least 1 wt % relative to the gypsum, the gypsum matrix further having a first group of fibres and a second group of fibres embedded therein, wherein the fibres of the first group of fibres have an average length that is at least three times the average length of the fibres of the second group of fibres.

Abstract: A gypsum product has a first polymeric additive and a second polymeric additive distributed therein, wherein the first polymeric additive is a synthetic polymer and the second polymeric additive is starch. It has been found that the combination of starch and a synthetic polymer may result in one or more of the following advantages in the manufacture and performance of gypsum products: increased strength; greater ease of manufacturing due to the increased fluidity of stucco slurries containing both additives; and increased resistance to hygroscopic expansion.

Abstract: The present invention provides calcium sulphate-based product having reduced shrinkage after exposure to high temperatures, the product comprising gypsum, a pozzolan source e.g. in an amount between 4-27 wt %) and a metal salt additive in an amount between 0.5 and 10 wt %). The pozzolan source may be selected from a kaolinitic clay material, fly ash, rice husk ash, diatomaceous earths, volcanic ashes and pumices, micro-silica, silica fume and silicone oil, The metal salt additive may be a metal salt which decomposes between a temperature of 300-500° C. to yield a metal oxide, e.g. magnesium nitrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calcium sulphate-based product (e.g. a wall board) comprising gypsum, a pozzolan source such as a clay additive, rice husk ash or diatomaceous earth and a metal salt additive. The product may be produced by drying an aqueous slurry comprising calcined gypsum, the pozzolan source and the metal salt additive. The clay additive may be a kaolinitic clay. The metal salt additive may be a magnesium salt e.g. magnesium nitrate, magnesium chloride or magnesium hydroxide.

Abstract: A calcium sulphate-based product including gypsum and a shrinkage resistance additive. The shrinkage resistance additive is a metal nitrate, hydroxide, acetate or sulphate and is preferably provided in an amount greater than 4 wt % (based on the amount of additive and gypsum). The additive may be a nitrate of an alkali metal (e.g. potassium), an alkaline earth metal (e.g. magnesium or calcium), a transition metal (e.g. iron or zinc) or aluminium.

Abstract: A partition (10), mounted on a mounting surface, comprises a plurality of elongate upright members (16, 18), a first board (20) and a second board (22). The first board is mounted on one side of a pair of the elongate upright members that are adjacent to each other, and the second board is mounted on the other side of the same pair of adjacent elongate upright members, so as to provide a cavity (24) between the pair of elongate upright members and the first and second boards. The partition further comprises a spacer (26) that is located within the cavity, the maximum dimension of the spacer in the through-thickness direction of the partition being at least 90% of the separation of the two boards.

Abstract: A plasterboard comprises a gypsum matrix having a polymeric additive distributed therein in an amount of at least 1 wt % relative to the gypsum, the gypsum matrix further having a first group of fibres and a second group of fibres embedded therein, wherein the fibres of the first group of fibres have an average length that is at least three times the average length of the fibres of the second group of fibres.

Abstract: A plasterboard comprising a gypsum matrix having wood particles embedded therein in an amount of at least 2 wt % relative to the gypsum, the gypsum matrix further comprising glass fibres in an amount of at least 1 wt % relative to the gypsum.

Abstract: A plasterboard comprises a gypsum matrix having a polymeric additive distributed therein in an amount of at least 1 wt % relative to the gypsum, the gypsum matrix further having a first group of fibres and a second group of fibres embedded therein, wherein the fibres of the first group of fibres have an average length that is at least three times the average length of the fibres of the second group of fibres.

Abstract: The present invention provides calcium sulphate-based product having reduced shrinkage after exposure to high temperatures, the product comprising gypsum, a pozzolan source (e.g. in an amount between 4-27 wt %) and a metal salt additive (in an amount between 0.5 and 10 wt %). The pozzolan source may be selected from a kaolinitic clay material, fly ash, rice husk ash, diatomaceous earths, volcanic ashes and pumices, micro-silica, silica fume and silicone oil, The metal salt additive may be a metal salt which decomposes between a temperature of 300-500° C. to yield a metal oxide, e.g. magnesium nitrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides calcium sulphate-based product having reduced shrinkage after exposure to high temperatures, the product comprising gypsum, a pozzolan source (e.g. in an amount between 4-27 wt %) and a metal salt additive (in an amount between 0.5 and 10 wt %). The pozzolan source may be selected from a kaolinitic clay material, fly ash, rice husk ash, diatomaceous earths, volcanic ashes and pumices, micro-silica, silica fume and silicone oil. The metal salt additive may be a metal salt which decomposes between a temperature of 300-500° C. to yield a metal oxide, e.g. magnesium nitrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calcium sulphate-based product (e.g. a wall board) comprising gypsum, a pozzolan source such as a clay additive, rice husk ash or diatomaceous earth and a metal salt additive. The product may be produced by drying an aqueous slurry comprising calcined gypsum, the pozzolan source and the metal salt additive. The clay additive may be a kaolinitic clay. The metal salt additive may be a magnesium salt e.g. magnesium nitrate, magnesium chloride or magnesium hydroxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calcium sulphate-based product (e.g. a wall board) comprising gypsum, a pozzolan source such as a clay additive, rice husk ash or diatomaceous earth and a metal salt additive. The product may be produced by drying an aqueous slurry comprising calcined gypsum, the pozzolan source and the metal salt additive. The clay additive may be a kaolinitic clay. The metal salt additive may be a magnesium salt e.g. magnesium nitrate, magnesium chloride or magnesium hydroxide.

Abstract: A panel has a gypsum matrix, in which the following additives are embedded: glass fibre in an amount greater than 1 wt % relative to the gypsum and a synthetic polymeric binder in an amount greater than 2.5 wt % relative to the gypsum. The glass fibre and synthetic polymeric binder are present in a weight ratio of at least 2 parts binder to one part fibre. The amount of sand present in the gypsum matrix lies in the range 0-0.5 wt % relative to the gypsum. The amount of cellulosic fibre present in the gypsum matrix lies in the range 0-2 wt % relative to the gypsum.

Abstract: A building element (for example plasterboard) is described, and comprises a wirelessly or magnetically readable identifier. Since the identifier is wirelessly or magnetically readable, it is possible to determine the type of the plasterboard (or other building element) after installation, without damaging the plasterboard or any decoration applied to it.