These two tough gypsum boards are designed to take more of life’s hits. But there’s a reason they have different names. In a boxing ring, Gold Bond® XP® Hi-Abuse® Gypsum Board would be in the welterweight division and Gold Bond® XP® Hi-Impact® Gypsum Board would be the heavyweight champion.

XP Hi-Abuse and XP Hi-Impact

What makes them different from one another:

This is not a value engineering situation. These two XP^® gypsum boards perform differently and are not interchangeable. One cannot be a substitute for the other.

• XP Hi-Abuse is the Abuse-Resistant (AR) gypsum panel. AR is designed to withstand surface scuffing and abrasion. Think of a backpack scraping against the wall or a key scratching along the wall of a corridor. It works well for classrooms, hallways, lobbies and conference or airport areas with lighter traffic.

• XP Hi-Impact is the Impact-Resistant (IR) choice. IR provides next-level protection for areas that regularly have heavy traffic and where damage from cavity intrusion may occur. These are areas vulnerable to impact beyond surface abrasion. Think warehouse shipping and receiving, mail rooms, hospitality back-of-house areas, hospital corridors and university student housing.

Your fellow architects and contractors have asked us if XP Hi-Impact can withstand a run-in with a forklift, and the answer is no.

What they have in common:

Both XP Hi-Abuse and XP Hi-Impact are formulated with thicker, more robust paper than standard drywall, offering enhanced protection against surface damage. (We’ve compared it to the armor-like skin of a rhinoceros.) Both boards have a Type X gypsum core. The PURPLE^® surface color of both products identifies they are mold- and moisture-resistant.

ABUSE RESISTANT PRODUCT FEATURES

"Extra strength and toughness to reduce surface damage in high-traffic areas." -Gypsum Association

Highlight: Surface Damage

• Classrooms or conference rooms with lighter traffic
• Hallways or corridors with lighter traffic
• Lobby and common areas
• Areas in airports or schools with lighter traffic
• Boutique hotels or high-end hotel

IMPACT RESISTANT PRODUCT FEATURES

"Protecting walls from damage and penetration where impact is common." - Gypsum Association

Highlight: Penetration and Impact

• Mail rooms, warehouse shipping and receiving
• Server rooms or mechanical rooms\
• Service corridors and janitorial closets
• Restaurant back rooms and banquet rooms
• Hospital psych wards and hallways
• Motels with heavy traffic
• University student housing
• Multi-family corridors

How is gypsum board tested for abuse and impact resistance?

ASTM C1629, Standard Classification for Abuse-Resistant Nondecorated Interior Gypsum-Panel Products and Fiber-Reinforced Cement Panels, includes four test methods to quantify the level of abuse and impact resistance. Each test method classifies the product as a Level I, Level II or Level III. The tables below show how XP Hi-Abuse and XP Hi-Impact performed in each of these tests.

The four testing methods included in ASTM C1629 are:

• ASTM D4977 Surface Abrasion: Measures the ability of a wall system to withstand scuffs and abrasion.
• ASTM D5420 Surface Indentation Resistance: Measures resistance to dents.
• ASTM E695 Soft Body Impact: Measures resistance to soft body impacts, such as a shoulder pad or a volleyball.
• Annex A1 Hard Body Impact: Measures resistance to penetration by a hard object, such as a baseball bat or boot heel.

How do abuse- and impact-resistant products provided by National Gypsum rate on ASTM C1629?

These charts provide a side-by-side comparison of abuse- and impact-resistant products manufactured by Gold Bond Building Products, LLC, an affiliate company of National Gypsum Company.

Include "Abuse" and "Impact" in two separate paragraphs when specifying.

Use two separate paragraphs in your specifications. One paragraph for Abuse Resistant (AR) and one paragraph for Impact Resistant (IR). For IR, always list the performance you require on the last two tests (ASTM E695 Soft Body Impact Test and Annex A1 Hard Body Impact Test). We also recommend listing the four different test methods and preferred classification level for each product type.

Write clear specifications and notate your drawings.

Clearly identify which wall receives which product. If a particular wall requires Impact Resistance, note XP Hi-Impact Gypsum Board on the partition schedule and indicate “no substitutions allowed” in the specification. Cross reference everything. Coordinate the specification and partition schedule.

Call me for help specifying abuse resistant or impact resistant.

I’m here to answer all your questions about AR and IR gypsum board. We’ll explore such issues as how many people will occupy the space, what the anticipated traffic flow will be, and what kinds of activities will take place there. And if your project will be subject to extreme moisture or humidity, it may require fiberglass-mat AR or IR gypsum panels. Together, we’ll determine what will work best for your commercial or residential project. You may also reach out with questions to the technical experts on National Gypsum’s Construction Services team at 1-800-NATIONAL^®.