Plaster, Glass, and Wood Production Methods

Plaster Production Process

Traditional Process

Building a rudimentary orno (kiln) from plaster. Inside, the wood is burned, and the heat dehydrates the stone.

Orno de Cuba

This type of kiln is filled at the top. Any fuel can be used.

Rotary Orno

Any fuel can be used. The material is subjected to constant agitation.

Properties and Applications of Plaster

Tensile and compressive strength depend on the material's nature and the quantity of water used in mixing.

• The Black Plaster: Obtained by the traditional process. It is usually used on plaster walls.
• The White Plaster: Achieves greater purity through finer grinding.

High-quality plaster cast is made from finely ground horn powder.

Glass Manufacturing

Glass is obtained by merging various components. Soda and other additives are used.

• The sand is responsible for providing mechanical strength to the glass.
• The limestone acts as a stabilizing component.
• The soda acts as a flux and can lower the melting temperature.

Collection and Applications of Glass

Hollow Glass

Being produced regularly by the method of blowing. In the traditional method, a rod is inserted into the blowing apparatus to gather the molten glass mass. Automatically, the required amount of molten glass for the piece is cut, and it goes into a metal mold having the desired shape.

Flat Glass

The process of obtaining it is through flotation or stretching. It is used in the manufacture of sheet glass, mirrors, and safety glass.

Cast Glass

The process of obtaining it is by casting or laminating. It is used in the manufacture of crystal glass and wired glass.

Pressed Glass

The process of obtaining it is by pressing in molds. It is used to make bricks, windows, and tiles.

Fiberglass

Obtained by an extrusion process, it is used as insulating fabrics and for reinforcement of structures.

Derivatives of Glass

Derivatives include:

• Windows
• Concrete
• Fire-resistant glass
• Borosilicate (supports sudden thermal shocks without breaking)
• Mild (elastic and impact resistant)
• Rolling (safety glass)
• Anti-reflection glass

Wood Materials

The main components of wood are cellulose and lignin. They also contain resin, tannin, starch, camphor, and water.

Rating of Wood

According to Humidity:

• Green wood (freshly cut)
• Naturally dried timber (planks stacked outdoors for months)
• Dry wood (moisture removed for furnaces)

According to Hardness:

• Soft (coniferous species, pines)
• Hard (deciduous trees, oak)

Tree Structure

The tree structure is not homogeneous:

• The heartwood is the innermost part. It has a harder consistency and darker color.
• The sapwood is the growth area where the tree growth rings are found.

Process of Production

The tree is felled, branches and leaves are separated, it is transported to the sawmill, debarked, chopped, and dried into planks.

Timber Products

Products include:

• Natural board (used in doors, windows, sculptures)
• Plywood (boards that are slightly flexible)
• Chipboard (thin, flexible boards)
• MDF board (thin, flexible boards)