Barite plaster is a special type of building material. Its feature is radiation protection. Most often it is used in medical institutions, in enterprises, in research laboratories, but it is also suitable for residential premises.
General concept
Barite plasters are a dry cement-sand mixture. Unlike regular plaster, they contain barium sulfate concentrate . It is this filler that is responsible for the specific properties of the material. Cement of a high grade acts as a binder, and there are also various plasticizers that are responsible for the plasticity of the solution.
The barite sand included in their composition completely replaces the use of lead sheets. It is a cheaper way to protect against gamma radiation, but no less effective.
Application
Barite plaster must be applied correctly to the wall. To do this, you must have certain skills. In principle, the application technology resembles working with conventional types of solution. However, there are still some nuances:
- Surface preparation. The old finish is completely beaten off, the walls are primed and only after they have completely dried are barite plaster applied.
- The application technology is such that if its layer has a thickness of more than 30 mm, then a special mesh must be stuffed onto the wall surface. It will create the strongest and most reliable connection of the solution to the base.
- The mixture is applied in several layers. The thickness of each of them should not exceed 10-15 mm. It is necessary to withstand the time of their drying, in some cases it can be up to 3 days.
- Each layer is additionally treated with primer solutions .
- The process of applying barite plaster occurs on beacons , which are removed immediately after setting the mortar.
- Work must be carried out in a room with a temperature of 15 to 20 0 C.
- Plaster consumption per 1 square. m is about 20 kg, provided that the applied layer is not thicker than 10 mm.
Scope of application
Most often, this type of plaster is used in rooms where surveys are carried out using special equipment, which is a source of gamma radiation. These are medical centers, hospitals, x-ray rooms, as well as enterprises engaged in certain research.
In order to stop the penetration of radiation, the walls are lined with lead sheets, however, this method is quite expensive. An alternative option is to apply barite plaster to the surface with a layer of at least 25 mm. A coating of this thickness has the properties of lead and is its worthy replacement. Since sheets of such a metal are a scarce commodity, its use is not very common in comparison with plaster.
Material Features
Barite plasters are a specific type of building materials, so when working with them you need to know their features. We list the main ones:
- If the room has wooden walls, then the applied layer of plaster should be increased by 1 cm or more.
- To provide complete protection against radiation, the solution is applied on both sides. That is, the surface of the walls is processed both outside the room and from the inside.
- The minimum thickness for the ceiling is 5 mm, floor and walls - 30 mm.
- Barite plaster is applied only by hand with the help of special tools designed for such work. The layers are applied sequentially, after the previous ones have completely dried up, the thickness of which should not exceed 5 mm.
- When performing work, it is very important to observe a certain temperature regime and maintain high humidity in the room. Such conditions must be observed at the end of work for 2 weeks. The optimum temperature in the room is 15-20 0 C.
How to choose barite plaster?
Not many manufacturers are engaged in the production of this type of plaster. The highest quality are:
- Barite Fullmix plaster, it includes cementitious cement, barite sand and plasticizers. The cost of one package is from 700 rubles.
- Sorel Barit M150 contains barite concentrate, magnesia cement, polymer and mineral additives, which are responsible for the main qualities of the solution. Estimated price - 1500 rubles (20 kg of dry plaster and 5 l of grout).
- The Runit and Rosi mixtures are identical in composition to Fullmix.
- Alfapol ShT-Barit is a dry mix with magnesian cement and barium concentrate. The cost varies from 800 to 1000 rubles.
The above mixtures before application can only be diluted with water, maintaining a certain correspondence. However, if necessary, you can independently prepare the solution, purchasing all the components separately.
Preparatory work
Barite plasters, like any other types, are applied only to a previously prepared surface. To do this, it is necessary to completely remove the old coating, clean the base from dust and dirt and then treat it with a special primer mixture. Depending on the thickness of the applied layer, a reinforcing mesh is filled , which provides reliable and strong adhesion of the plaster mortar to the surface base.
Barite plasters: rules of work
- The dry mixture is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 kg - 200 ml. The liquid should be at room temperature: approximately 20 0 C. You can mix manually or use a special construction mixer. The finished solution should have a uniform consistency. After mixing, it is necessary to withstand 5-8 minutes and only after that you can immediately proceed to application.
- The total thickness of the plaster layer can be up to 1 cm. However, it can be applied only sequentially, dividing into several stages.
- When plastering with barite solutions, drafts in the room are not allowed. During work and after their completion within 2 weeks, it is recommended to completely prevent direct sunlight from entering the surface .
- The finished mixture is applied using conventional tools that are used for plastering surfaces.
Building material, which includes barium sulfate concentrate, is indispensable for decoration of rooms with a high level of gamma radiation. In order to completely protect people from possible radiation, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions and rules when working with this type of plaster.