6533b822fe1ef96bd127cdf3

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Salt extraction from lime-based mortars: An experimental study using different poultice formulations

Giuseppe MontanaLuciana RandazzoA. CastigliaM. F. La Russa

subject

Materials scienceSepiolite0211 other engineering and technologies020101 civil engineeringSalt extraction performance02 engineering and technologyBuilding and Constructionengineering.materialPoulticeDesalinationElectrical conductivity meter0201 civil engineeringMortarChemical engineering021105 building & constructionengineeringGeneral Materials ScienceBuilt heritage conservationDesalination poulticeMortarPorosityDissolutionSettore GEO/09 -Georis. Miner.e Appl.Mineral.-Petrogr. per l'Ambi.ed i B.Cult.Civil and Structural EngineeringLime

description

Abstract The extractive capability of soluble salts in poultices treatments currently used in mortar conservation (ArbocelTM plus sepiolite; ArbocelTM, sepiolite and sand; Westox-Cocoon®) were tested to evaluate their efficiency and compatibility with specific mortar substrate. The pore size distribution of the experimental mortar substrate and of the blank dried poultices were preliminarily accomplished by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Desalination tests were carried out on specifically-formulated mortars after capillary absorption of Na2SO4 0.3 M solution. The efficiency of salt extraction was measured by means of electrical conductivity meter and ion chromatography. Among the tested products, Westox-Cocoon® showed the best performance in terms of the ability to extract soluble salts. It is the only poultice with a porosity distribution characterised by predominantly large macropores (20–30 µm), which guarantees it an extraordinary efficiency in the first phase of the extraction process (wetting/dissolving). This last aspect provides a useful term of comparison for conservators who actually use these products and a base of operational protocol more suitable to the needs of the restoration site.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2020-09-01
10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119391http://hdl.handle.net/10447/421284