GYPSUM BOARD TYPICAL MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

(GA-235-10)
The properties described herein were either obtained from laboratory tests conducted under controlled test conditions as set forth in appropriate standards, compiled from manufacturers' literature, or taken from the minimum requirements of appropriate ASTM Standard Specifications. The values reported below are provided for information and convenience only. Consult manufacturer for more specific values.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Flexural Strength (minimums) (ASTM C 473; tested face up and face down)
Method A Type of Gypsum Board
(Note 1) (Note 2)

Method B Bearing Edges Perpendicular to Length lbf 46 62 56 77 85 97 107 147 137 167 228 N 205 276 249 343 378 431 476 654 609 743 1010

(Note 2)

Thickness in. (mm)

Bearing Edges Perpendicular to Length lbf N 222 289 267 356 391 445 489 667 622 756 1020

Bearing Edges Parallel to Length lbf 20 25 25 30 32 35 40 50 50 60 80 N 89 111 111 133 142 156 178 222 222 267 356

Bearing Edges Parallel to Length lbf 16 21 21 26 28 31 36 46 46 56 77 N 71 93 93 116 125 138 160 205 205 249 343

a, b a, g a, b, e, f e g a, b, c, d, e, f, h a, c, d, e, f b a, b
1

1/4 (6.4) 5/16 (7.9) 3/8 (9.5) 3/8 (9.5) 4/10 (10.2) 1/2 (12.7) 1/2 (12.7) 5/8 (15.9) 5/8 (15.9) 3/4 (19.0) 1 (25.4)

50 65 60 80 88 100 110 150 140 170 230

a = Gypsum Wallboard and Predecorated Gypsum Board b = Gypsum Backing Board and Gypsum Coreboard c = Water-Resistant Gypsum Backing Board d = Exterior Gypsum Soffitt Board e = Gypsum Sheathing Board f = Gypsum Base for Veneer Plaster g = Gypsum Lath h = Gypsum Ceiling Board 2 See ASTM C 473 for a description of Methods A and B

ASTM C 1396 specification:

Effective Stiffness (EI)* (typical range)

Board Thickness (in.) Lbin /in of width kNmm /mm of width 1/2 1500 to 4000 220 to 580 5/8 3000 to 8000 440 to 1,160 * EI is dependent on board density, relative humidity, type of board, paper type, direction of board during testing and the amount of handling prior to measurement. In general the value of EI follows the following relationships: Type X Gypsum Board > Regular Gypsum Board Denser Gypsum Board > Less Dense Gypsum Board Machine Direction > Cross Direction Low Relative Humidity > High Relative Humidity
2 2

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Effective Modulus of Rupture (MOR) (minimums)

(Based on Flexural Strengths per ASTM C 1396)
Thickness in. (mm) 3/8 (9.5) 1/2 (12.7) 5/8 (15.9) Machine Direction psi 970 750 660 MPa 6.7 5.2 4.6 Cross Direction psi 350 260 220 MPa 2.4 1.8 1.5

Core, End, and Edge Hardness (minimums)

(ASTM C 473)
Method A* 15 lbf (67 N) Method B* 11 lbf (49 N)

* See ASTM C 473 for a description of Methods A and B.

Ultimate compressive strength at 70oF (21oC) and 50% Relative Humidity (RH) (Determinations were made from 2" x 2" (50 x 50 mm) or 4" x 4" (100 x 100 mm) samples cut from across the full board width (excluding taper). Samples were conditioned for a minimum of 24 hours and tested in compressive strength machines. Load was applied at a uniform rate until the end point was reached.)
Thickness in. (mm) 5/16 (7.9) 1/2 (12.7) 5/8 (15.9) Board Type MH gypsum board regular gypsum board type X gypsum board psi 400 350 400 kPa 2750 2400 2750

Compressive Strength (typical)

Impact Resistance (typical)

(ASTM E 695) (Using 50 lb (22.7 kg) leather bag, one test per specimen. Impact point located at midpoint between studs. Impact Resistance - Drop height at penetration through impacted membrane.)
Tested on 2x4 (nominal) wood studs 16" (400mm) o.c. 1 Layer in. 1/2 (12.7) 1/2 (12.7) 5/8 (15.9) regular type X type X 12 24 30 mm 300 610 760 in. 30 54 72 2 Layers mm 760 1370 1830 in. 12 24 24 Tested on 3 5/8" (92 mm), 25 gage steel studs 24" (610 mm) o.c. 1 Layer mm 300 610 610 in. 42 54 60 2 Layers mm 1070 1370 1520

Thickness in. (mm)

Board Type

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Nail Pull Resistance (minimums)

(ASTM C 473)
Thickness in. (mm) 1/4 (6.4) 5/16 (7.9) 3/8 (9.5) 4/10 (10.2) 1/2 (12.7) 5/8 (15.9) 3/4 (19.0) 1 (25.4) Method A* lbf 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 N 178 222 267 312 356 400 445 Method B* lbf 36 46 56 67 77 87 94 N 160 205 249 298 343 387 432

not required

not required

* See ASTM C 473 for a description of Methods A and B.

Negative Wind Load Resistance (typical)

(ASTM E 330, Procedure A) (Based on tests conducted on single specimens, nominal 4' wide x 8' high. Each specimen constructed of a single 4' x 8' panel of treated core gypsum sheathing, with no joints, applied parallel to studs spaced 16" o.c. with fasteners spaced 8" o.c. at edges, ends, and intermediate framing members.)
Thickness In. (mm) 1/2 (12.7) 5/8 (15.9) 1/2 (12.7) 5/8 (15.9) Framing 18 gage steel 18 gage steel 2 x 4 wood 2 x 4 wood Fasteners 1" (25 mm) Type S-12 screws 1-1/4" (32 mm) Type S-12 screws 1-1/2" (38 mm) long 11 gage galvanized roofing nails 1-3/4" (44 mm) long 11 gage galvanized roofing nails Negative Wind Load psf (kPa) 60 (425) 100 (700) 80 (550) 130 ( 885)

MOISTURE & HUMIDITY RELATED PROPERTIES

Humidified Deflection (maximums)
(ASTM C 473)
Gypsum Board (except exterior gypsum soffit board) Thickness in. (mm) 1/4 (6.4) 5/16 (7.9) 3/8 (9.5) 4/10 (10.2) 1/2 (12.7) 5/8 (15.9) 3/4 (19.0) 1 (25.4) Deflection Eighths of an Inch Not Applicable Not Applicable 15 12 10 5 5 Not Applicable mm Not Applicable Not Applicable 48 38 32 16 16 Not Applicable Thickness in. (mm) 1/2 (12.7) Gypsum Ceiling Board Deflection Eighths of an Inch 2.5 mm 8 Thickness in. (mm) 1/2 (12.7) 5/8 (15.9) Exterior Gypsum Soffit Board Deflection Eighths of an Inch 7 4 mm 22 13

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Water Absorption (maximums)

(ASTM C 473 following 2 hours immersion)
Gypsum Sheathing Board - 10 weight % Water-Resistant Gypsum Backing Board - 5 weight %

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY
Thermal Coefficient of Linear Expansion (typical)
Unrestrained 38O- 90OF (3.3O- 32OC)
9.3x10 in./in. F (16.7x10 mm/mm C)
-6 O -6 O

Hygrometric Coefficient of Expansion (typical)

Unrestrained (10% - 90% RH)
6.5x10 in./in./%RH (mm/mm/%RH)
-6

FIRE PROPERTIES
Surface Burning Characteristics
(Independent of thickness) (ASTM E 84 - CAN/ULC-S102)
Board Type Gypsum board Flame Spread 15 Smoke Developed 0

Fire Resistance
(ASTM E 119 CAN/ULC-S101-M)
See the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.

Noncombustibility (core)
(ASTM E 136 CAN/ULC-S114-M)
Pass

Potential Heat
(From NFPA 220, Appendix C)
Thickness in. (mm) 3/8 (9.5) 3/8 (9.5) 3/8 (9.5) 1/2 (12.7) Board Type Potential Heat, Weight Basis (Btu/lb) gypsum lath gypsum wallboard gypsum wallboard, paper removed gypsum wallboard 310 760 -270 650 (kJ/kg) 721 1770 -628 1512

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MISCELLANEOUS
(R and C values developed using ASTM C 177 at 75F (24oC) mean temperature; Specific Heat from ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals.)
Thickness in. (mm) 3/8 (9.5) 1/2 (12.7) 5/8 (15.9) 3/4 (19.0) 1 (25.4) Resistance (R)
O

Thermal Properties (typical)

Conductance (C)
2

Specific Heat
2

Fft hr/Btu 0.33 0.45 0.48 0.64 0.83

Km /W 0.058 0.079 0.085 0.12 0.16

Btu/hrft 3.03 2.22 2.08 1.67 1.20

2 o

W/m K 17.2 12.6 11.8 8.3 6.3

Btu/lbOF 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.26

J/kgK 1090 1090 1090 1090 1090

Weight per Unit Area

(for use in calculating dead loads)
Thickness in. (mm) 1/4 (6.4 mm) 5/16 (7.9 mm) 3/8 (9.5 mm) 1/2 (12.7 mm) 5/8 (15.9 mm) 3/4 (19.0 mm) 1 (25.4 mm) Weight psf 1.2 1.3 1.4 2.0 2.5 3.0 4.0 kg/m2 6.0 6.4 6.8 9.8 12 15 20

Permeance (typical)
(ASTM E 96)
Permeance, Method A Board Type and Thickness Perms 3/8 (9.5 mm) Gypsum Board 1/2 (12.7 mm) Gypsum Board 5/8 (15.9 mm) Gypsum Board Foil-backed Gypsum Board (from ASHRAE Handbook, 1989) 31 27 25 0.30 1800 1600 1400 17 ng/Pasm
2

Permeance, Method B Perms 49 45 37 ng/Pasm 2800 2600 2100

2

The values reported herein are typical values; values derived from samples other than those actually tested may vary from these values. The Gypsum Association and its member companies make no warranties or other representations as to the characteristics, properties, or performance of any materials or systems in actual construction.

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