Jan 01, 2015· Chapter 3 Gypsum Products for Dental Casts Introduction. Gypsum is a naturally occurring, white powdery mineral with the chemical name calcium sulphate dihydrate (CaSQ 4 ·2H 2 O). Gypsum products used in dentistry are based on calcium sulphate hemihydrate (CaSO4 2) 2 ·H 2 O. Their main uses are for casts or models, dies and investments, the latter being considered in Chapter 5.