Changzhou Abeite Computer Room Equipment Co., Ltd

Introduction: The Invisible Strength Beneath Your Feet

When it comes to raised access floors, what’s visible is often prioritized — finishes, pedestals, airflow designs. But beneath every durable, long-lasting floor lies a core material that silently bears the weight, resists moisture, absorbs noise, and protects the entire infrastructure.

As a B2B buyer — whether you're a facility manager, a data center operator, or an architect planning for a commercial high-tech building — the choice of panel core is one of the most important technical decisions you will make. And yet, this decision is often misunderstood, especially when it comes to calcium sulphate.

In this article, we will go deep into the real differences between calcium sulphate sources, why some floors fail prematurely, and how the right material — particularly natural gypsum-based calcium sulphate — can drastically improve strength, safety, lifespan, and environmental sustainability.

What Is Calcium Sulphate Core — And Why Does It Matter?

Calcium sulphate (CaSO₄·2H₂O), commonly known as gypsum, is widely used in raised access floor panels due to its excellent load-bearing capacity, dimensional stability, fire resistance, and acoustic performance.

However, not all calcium sulphate is created equal. The performance of your floor system is determined by the source and purity of the calcium sulphate used in the core. In today’s market, three types are commonly used:

1. Natural Gypsum Powder (天然石膏粉)

2. Desulfurized Gypsum Powder (脱硫石膏粉)

3. Phosphogypsum Powder (磷石膏粉)

Only one of them meets the strict requirements for high-performance raised access floors. Let's examine why.

Core Comparison: Natural vs. Chemical Calcium Sulphate

1. Raw Material Origins

● Natural Gypsum is mined directly from mineral deposits (monoclinic crystalline systems). It is a naturally occurring, food-grade material also used in pharmaceuticals and animal feed.

● Desulfurized Gypsum is an industrial by-product created from sulfur dioxide treatment in coal power plants.

● Phosphogypsum is a solid waste derived from the wet-process phosphoric acid method, often used in fertilizer and pesticide plants.

Only natural gypsum is a true, non-toxic, naturally existing raw material.

2. Chemical Composition and Impurities

● Natural Gypsum: Pure CaSO₄·2H₂O with no harmful impurities.

● Desulfurized Gypsum: May include sulfur salts, chlorides, lime, soot, and fly ash — all of which are problematic in humid environments.

● Phosphogypsum: Often contains heavy metals, radioactive elements, fluoride compounds, and organic toxins.

Fact: According to research from China Building Materials Academy, harmful impurities in chemical gypsum can lead to deformation, toxic emissions, and serious indoor air quality issues.

3. Physical Properties and Performance

Natural Gypsum Panels:

● High bending strength and compressive resistance

● Excellent dimensional stability

● Strong adhesive strength for surface finishes

● Breathable — helps regulate humidity

Desulfurized / Phosphogypsum Panels:

● Poor water resistance

● Easily warped, cracked, or collapsed

● Weak bonding with top coverings

● No breathability and high deformation risk

Only natural gypsum retains the "breathing" capability — the ability to absorb and release moisture to regulate room humidity.

4. Surface Results in Finished Raised Floors

● Natural gypsum cores maintain high surface flatness, ensure firm bonding with HPL, PVC, or ceramic, and resist delamination.

● Desulfurized and phosphogypsum cores tend to delaminate under thermal cycling or high humidity, leading to poor long-term reliability.

Visual case studies have shown phosphogypsum-based panels cracking or disintegrating within 12 months under lab conditions simulating real-world humidity.

5. Modification and Cost Factors

Natural Gypsum: No need for chemical or thermal modification.

Desulfurized / Phosphogypsum: Require costly chemical treatments, thermal processing, or synthetic additives to stabilize — and low-cost versions are often sold without proper treatment to cut costs.

This cost-cutting results in dangerously unstable panels that perform well in lab tests but fail under real-world stress.

Case Study: Natural Gypsum in a High-Humidity Data Center Project

In 2022, a government cloud computing facility in Southern China faced critical challenges. Their existing raised floor system — built with modified desulfurized gypsum — had started warping and cracking within 18 months. Surface tiles were lifting, and airflow had become uneven due to misaligned panels.

Abeite was brought in to evaluate and recommend a long-term solution.

Steps Taken:

1. On-site testing confirmed moisture absorption levels were beyond acceptable thresholds.

2. Thermal mapping showed airflow disruption in cold aisle containment.

3. All 1,800 sqm of old panels were replaced with Abeite’s natural calcium sulphate panels.

4. Customized HPL finishes and anti-static coatings were applied for ESD protection.

Results:

● 32% improvement in airflow efficiency

● 0 reported maintenance events in 12 months

● Estimated 12-year lifecycle extension

● Improved building certification score (aligned with LEED and China 3-Star)

This transformation was only made possible by the material upgrade to natural gypsum.

FAQ: What B2B Buyers Ask Us Most

Q1: Why is natural gypsum more expensive?

A: While the cost per panel may be slightly higher, the total lifecycle cost is significantly lower due to reduced failure rates and zero need for chemical modifications.

Q2: Are calcium sulphate panels waterproof?

A: Natural calcium sulphate panels are moisture-resistant and dimensionally stable. However, full waterproofing depends on sealing and system design.

Q3: Can these panels meet international fire codes?

A: Yes. Panels made with natural calcium sulphate meet EN 13501-1 A1 fire ratings — the highest available.

Q4: How does sound insulation compare?

A: Natural gypsum provides excellent noise absorption and impact sound insulation — ideal for office buildings and cleanrooms.

Expert Commentary

"We've evaluated over 15 floor panel cores across Asia. Only the panels using natural calcium sulphate have consistently met long-term load, stability, and humidity requirements."
— Zhang Weiguo, Lead Engineer, Beijing Smart Infrastructure Research Center

"Chemical gypsum-based panels are a risk we no longer recommend. Natural gypsum is the gold standard in our mission-critical projects."
— Emma Li, Director of Data Center Design, Shenzhen Digicloud

Conclusion: What Should Be Built Into Every Panel You Buy?

In high-spec infrastructure — where every server, sensor, and switch matters — floors must do more than hold weight. They must regulate heat, control moisture, resist fire, and last for decades.

That's only possible when the core is built from natural calcium sulphate. Desulfurized or phosphogypsum panels may look similar at first glance, but beneath the surface, they introduce risk.

At Abeite, only pure, high-grade natural gypsum is used in our raised floor cores. No shortcuts. No compromises. Just proven results in data centers, command hubs, financial institutions, and cleanrooms worldwide.

Call to Action

Download Abeite's Raised Floor Specification Checklist to avoid hidden risks in your next project.

Or Request a Custom Material Audit to compare what's under your existing floor to what it should be.