Maney Publishing

Lime Mortars for the Conservation of Historic Buildings

Author(s): Kerstin Elert, Carlos Rodriguez-Navarro, Eduardo Sebastian Pardo, Eric Hansen and
Olga Cazalla
Source: Studies in Conservation, Vol. 47, No. 1 (2002), pp. 62-75
Published by: Maney Publishing on behalf of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and
Artistic Works
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LIME MORTARS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF HISTORIC
BUILDINGS
KerstinElert,Carlos Rodriguez-Navarro,
Eduardo SebastianPardo,
Eric Hansen and Olga Cazalla
Summary--Awareness of theneedfor compatiblematerialsfor thepreservation of thearchitecturalheritage
has resultedin the revivalof lime-basedmortartechnologyand applications.However,knowledgeof the
preparation processand procedureinfluencing thefinalqualityof limemortarsis limited,and controversy per-
sists in the conservation
community regardingthemostappropriatematerialfor conservation treatments (for
example,hydratedlime versusaged limeputty). Thispaper reviewscurrentknowledgeon limemortartech-
nology,includingburning, slaking,agingand carbonationof lime. Special emphasisis givento theeffectsof
aging on the morphologicalevolutionof hydratedlime and on the carbonationprocess,since theseaspects
have not been discussedthoroughly in thetechnicaland conservation literature.The improvements observedin
thephysicalpropertiesof hydratedlimeafterprolongedstorageunderwatercan be attributed to particlesize
reduction(<ljum) and morphology changes(fromprismto plate-likecrystals).Studieson thecarbonationof
non-agedcommercialhydratedlimeand traditionally aged slakedlimerevealedhighercarbonationratesin the
case of aged lime. Some recommendations are givenfor theprocessingof lime and thepreparationof lime
mortarfor conservation treatments. The use of aged limeputtyis recommended because thismaterial,with
higherplasticityand water-retention capacity,resultsin mortarsof higherstrength thatcarbonatefaster.

Introduction
Mortars are constitutedof a binder,such as lime, During the burningof limestone(the calcination
gypsumor cement,and an aggregate,such as sand process), carbon dioxide is drivenoff and porous
or grit.The compositionof mortarsvaries greatly lumps of calcium oxide, oftenreferred to as quick-
and theyare commonlydividedinto hydraulicand lime,remain.These lumpsreactreadilywithwaterto
non-hydraulic mortars,dependingon theirabilityto formcalcium hydroxide,eitheras a dry hydrateor
set underwater.Lime mortaris generallyconsidered putty,dependingon the amount of water available
to be non-hydraulic,but might exhibit hydraulic duringthe exothermic reaction.The hydratedlimeis
propertieswhenmixedwithpozzolanic additives,or mixed with the aggregateand water to form the
when the amountof clays or othersilicatesexceeds mortar.The additionof an aggregateis necessaryto
about 10% in the sourcematerial,such as limestone, reduce crack formationon dryingand to impart
marble or seashells[1, 2]. The main constituentof strength, hardness,and a certaindegreeof porosity
limestoneis calcite,CaCO3 but it can also contain to themortar,whichwillfacilitate carbonation[2, 9].
dolomite, MgCa(CO3)2 and varying amounts of Initialhardeningof the mortaroccursthroughwater
impurities. Generally,lime producedfromlimestone loss: a part of the waterevaporatesand anotherpart
withless then5% of magnesiumcarbonateis classi- is absorbedby the porous masonrysurface.During
fied as high-calciumlime, while limestonewith a the subsequentcarbonationprocess,calciumhydrox-
magnesiumcarbonatecontentabove 20% produces ide reactswithcarbon dioxidedissolvedin waterto
dolomiticlime [3]. Dolomiticlime is frequently
used form calcium carbonate, resultingin a further
forconstruction purposesand exhibitsgood working increasein mechanicalstrength.
includinghigh plasticityand water
characteristics, Historically,limehas been one of themostimpor-
retention[4-6]. However,it has been demonstrated tant binders,and early examples of its use have
thatdolomiticlime is not advisableforconservation been found in Palestine and Turkey, dated
purposes. On the one hand, late hydrationof the c. 12,000BC [10, 11]. However,towardsthemiddleof
magnesiumoxide in dolomiticlime mightresultin the eighteenthcentury,hydrauliclimes began to
poor soundness[6, 7]; on the otherhand, exposure replaceordinarylimemortarsand its use was further
to air pollutantssuch as sulphurdioxidemightcause reducedwiththe developmentof Portlandcementin
the formationof highlysoluble, damagingmagne- the secondhalfof the nineteenth century.This trend
sium sulphates[8]. Thus, in the followingtext,we was certainlyfosteredby difficultiesexperienced
shall confineourselvesto high-calciumlime. regardingthe applicationof lime mortars,including
long settingand hardeningtimes,especiallyat very
ReceivedAugust2000 highrelativehumidity (RH), weak mechanicalprop-

62 47 (2002) 62-75
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for theconservation
Lime mortars of historicbuildings

erties and low internalcohesion as well as high

porosity,makinglime mortarsusceptibleto damage Limestone Calcination
caused by salt crystallizationor freezingwhenwater-
saturated[12, 13].
In recentyears,a revivalof lime mortarapplica-
tion for the repair of historicbuildingshas taken Quicklime Hydration/l
Slaking
place, due to recognition of the unfavourable proper-
tiesof Portlandcementmortars,includingbrittleness,
high strength,and a thermalexpansion coefficient DryHydrate/ LimePutty ofLimePutty
whichcan be twiceas large as that of lime mortars Ageing
and most typesof brickand stone.Its low porosity,
and especiallythelargeamountof smallpores,might
hinderwatermovementin masonryand cause dam- AgedLimePutty Mortar
Preparation
age due to the accumulationof moisturebehind
cementlayers or to evaporationand depositionof
salts in adjacentstonesor bricks.Moreover,soluble
salts such as calcium sulphates and sodium salts LimeMortar Carbonation
mightbe presentin Portlandcementmortar,which
can leach out overtime[12, 14-17].Lime mortar,on
the otherhand, has a low efflorescence potentialdue Figure 1 Schematicoverviewof limeprocessingand
to its relativelyhigh chemical purity [18]. Addi- resulting materials.
tionally, it has the advantage of allowing limited
movementwithinthe mortarjoints and can undergo 100% CO2 atmosphereat 760mmHg pressure (1
autogeneoushealingdue to dissolutionand precipita- atmosphere),and decreaseswith decreasingconcen-
tion processes[19, 20]. Carringtonand Swallow [21] tration(i.e., pressure)of carbondioxide[27].The cal-
point out the importanceof limemortarbeingsofter cination of limestone is generallyperformedat
and moreporousthanmasonry,actingas a sacrificial temperatures between925 and 1340'C, and proceeds
substratewhereevaporationof waterand associated fromthe outersurfaceof the stoneparticleinwards.
decay from soluble salt crystallization could take The temperature and time requirements depend on
place. the size of the stones. Smallerstones calcine much
The increasinginterestin lime mortarsfor the fasterand providea greatersurfaceforheattransfer-
repair of historicstructureshas led to numerous ence,whilelargerstonesrequiremoretime,and often
researchprojects,mainlyfocusingon the characteris- highertemperatures, than the dissociationpoint in
tics of mortarsin connectionwiththeirconstituents, orderfor calcinationto occur in the interiorof the
additivesand variousmixingratios[12, 22, 23]. Only stoneparticle[3]. However,largerstonesof restricted
rarelyhave processingparametersbeen considered gradationmightbe of advantage,resultingin larger
[15, 24, 25], eventhoughtheyhave a significant influ- void space and enablingthe circulationof fuelgases
ence on the final quality of the mortars.In the and draughtto enhance uniformheat transference
followingtextwe will summarizeavailable informa- [27].
tion on the main processingsteps(Figure 1). Special In any case, gradual preheatingand increasein
emphasisis given to the influenceof aging on the temperature up to the point at whichdissociationis
propertiesof limeputtyand the carbonationprocess completed,and afterwards avoidingfurtherretention
of lime mortars.These aspects have not been dis- time,is preferredto shock calcination.Recarbona-
cussed thoroughlyin the technicaland conservation tion should be kept to a minimumby ventingoff
literature,but are crucialto an understanding of diff- CO2-richcombustiongases [27].
erencesin the finalqualityand performance of lime Under severecalciningconditionsthe lime might
mortars.It is hoped that the information compiled become hard-burned or even dead-burnedwhensin-
will facilitatea furtherimprovement in lime mortar teringtemperatures are reached.Under thesecondi-
applicationby avoidingfailuredue to unsoundness tionsthestoneshrinksto 25-50% of its originalsize,
and premature deterioration. resultingin a densification and a reductionof the
surfacearea and chemicalreactivity[3, 28]. Dead-
burned lime, exposed to temperaturesof around
Calcinationof limestone 1400'C, shows a dark colour [29]. It mighthave a
porosityof onlyabout 8-12%. Soft-burned limechar-
The degreeof calcinationof limestoneis affectedby acterizesquicklimethatis calcinedat a relatively low
the calciningtemperature and the retention time[26]. temperature and can be distinguishedby highporos-
The dissociationtemperature forcalciteis 8980C in a ity,up to 54%, and chemicalreactivity [3, 27]. Soft-

Studiesin Conservation
47 (2002) 62-75 63

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E. SebastianPardo, E. Hansen and 0. Cazalla
K. Elert,C. Rodriguez-Navarro,

burnedlimehas a whitecolour [29]. However,impu- hydrationparameterssuch as water/lime ratio,tem-

ritiesin the quicklimecan resultin grey,brownor peratureand agitationrate on the finalquality of
yellowtints[30]. The percentageof 'core' (i.e., uncal- the hydrate,resultingin sometimescontrastingrec-
cined carbonatestone) should be as low as possible, ommendationsregardingtemperatureand water/
sinceavailablelimecontentwillbe reduced[27]. lime ratio. It appears that the contradictionsmight
Staley [31] gives an example of the influenceof be due in part to qualityvariationsin the quicklime
burningconditionson the surfacearea of quicklime used in the tests,in the experimentalset-up or in
preparedfroma limestonewith a surfacearea of the control of the different hydrationparameters.
0.573m2g-1.While the soft-burned quicklimehad a In some cases, the influenceof the change in the
surfacearea of 1-3m2g-1, the surfacearea of the water/lime ratio on the hydrationor slaking tem-
hard-burnedquicklime decreased to 0.448m2g-1. peraturemighthave been overlooked.
Staleyexplainsthe increasein surfacearea of quick- Researchers generallyfavour the use of soft-
lime fromsoft-burned limestoneby the formationof burned porous quicklime,having a high reactivity
pores,sincethe bulk volumedoes not changesignifi- and allowing more rapid slaking due to greater
cantly compared with the limestone.Eades and water-permeability, which, accompanied by high
Sandberg[32] foundthat lime exhibiting the highest initialtemperature rise,will resultin a hydratewith
surfacearea is not necessarily themostreactive,since small particle size [27]. Schlitt and Healy [35]
wateraccess mightbe restricted by smallpores.They studiedthe slakingrate of syntheticlime compacts
concludedthat further calcination,causingthe crys- calcinedat varioustemperatures and confirmed that
tals to mergeand to increasethe pore space, would higherporosityand lower calcinationtemperature
resultin higherpermeability to water.At this stage, resultedin higherslaking rates. High purityalso
beforeshrinkageof the total volume of the lump facilitatesrapid slaking,whileimpuritiesmightlead
beginsand the pore volumedecreasesmarkedly,the to a formationof slag whichclogs pores and makes
quicklimereachesits optimumreactivity. The opti- the surface more impervious to water. Ground
mum calcinationparameterswill varyforthe differ- quicklime slakes more rapidly than lumps or
ent types of limestone,and they are influencedby pebbles and produces a hydrateof smallerparticle
chemicaland texturalcharacteristics of the starting size [27, 36]. The Greeks were aware of the
material[27,33]. favourableeffectobtainedby grindingthe lime [37].
The propertiesof quicklime,especiallyits reactiv- Water qualitywill also influencethe finalproper-
ity,will not only be affectedby the chemicalpurity ties of the putties,waterof highpuritybeingprefer-
of the limestoneand the calcinationconditions,but able, since sulphate as well as chlorideions might
also by physicalcharacteristics of the parent lime- resultin an inferiorlimeputty[38].
stonesuch as surfacearea, porosity,pore size distrib- Agitationhas a positiveeffecton the slakingrate
utionand crystallite size [32, 33]. Murray[34] found and researchersgenerallyagree that,in addition,it
that it was not possibleto predictporosityand sur- helps preventlocalized overheating,increases dis-
face area of quicklimeonly fromchemicalanalysis persionof lime particlesand permitshighertemper-
and postulatedburningconditions.He observedthat atures duringslaking [27]. Dornap [38] found that
chemicallysimilarlimesburnedunderidenticalcon- high stirringspeed duringslakinggenerallyresulted
ditions yielded quicklimewith different properties. in a greaterputtyyield.
Walker [26] observedthat fine-grained high-calcium Technically,the termshydrationand slakingare
limestonedid not change dimensions,while macro- synonymous;however, by popular connotation,
crystallinelimestoneshoweddecrepitation on calcina- hydrationyieldsa drypowderedhydratewhileslak-
tionunderidenticalconditions. ing involves more water and produces a wet
Afterthe calcinationis complete,air exposureof hydratein the formof a puttyor plasticpaste.
the quicklimemustbe kept to a minimumto avoid The hydration process generally causes an
air-slaking,a process wherebythe quicklimereacts increasein surfacearea and volume of the hydrate
withthe carbon dioxideand moisturein the atmos- compared to the quicklime[27, 30]. A dry hydrate
phereto become partiallyhydratedand carbonated. is producedby mixingone part by weightof quick-
Hydrationand recarbonationcan occur in atmos- lime withabout 0-5 to 0.75 part of water,depend-
phereswith15% RH and 0.03% carbondioxidecon- ing on the reactivity of the quicklime.An excess of
centration, and will adverselyaffectthe plasticityof water over the theoreticalamount (24-5wt%) is
putties[27]. requiredto achieve completehydrationsince some
waterwill evaporatedue to the heat produceddur-
ing hydration.Puttycontainsabout 30-40% of free
Hydrationof lime water that envelops the hydrateparticles,in addi-
tion to the chemicallycombinedwater[3, 27].
Many researchershave studied the influenceof Severalresearchers[27, 38-41] have observedthat

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Lime mortars
for theconservation
of historicbuildings

slakingwith excess water yields a lime puttywith limes, dependingon the calcination conditionsto
greater particle finenessand surface area, having which theywere previouslyexposed. Holmes, Fink
higher reactivity,plasticity,and a slower settling and Mathers [39] as well as Bonnell [41] favour
rate than a hydrateobtainedusingonlythe theoret- lower temperaturesduring slaking with excess
ical amount of water.Not in agreementare recom- water,to obtain a finerproductwithhigherworka-
mendationsby Hedin [42] favouringslaking with bility. Boynton [27] recognizes the disagreement
the smallestpossible quantityof water.Bonnell [41] which persistswith respectto the slakingtempera-
reports findingsshowing that the small particles ture and concludes fromseveral recommendations
obtained duringslakingwith excess water are able that dry hydrationof quicklime should be per-
to surround themselveswith a lubricatingfilm, formedat boiling temperatureor slightlyless and
thereby reducing agglomeration. However, care wet slakingat about 71-93'C.
must be taken not to add a large excess of water
too rapidlyto lump or pebble quicklime,in order
to avoid drowning,where the surfaceof the lime Agingof limeputty
becomeshydratedbut imperviousto waterpenetra-
tion. Accompanied by a decrease in temperature, Ashurst[1] reportsthat slaked lime was tradition-
the hydration process might be stifled,causing ally left to mature for several months, or even
incompleteslaking and producing putties of low years,and recommendsthatthe slaked lime should
plasticity.Insufficient
water,on the otherhand, can be keptwitha shallow coveringof waterto protect
cause the local generationof excessivelyhigh tem- it fromair fora minimumperiod of two weeks and
peratures(above 2000C), which causes the hydrate preferablylonger (two monthsor more) beforeits
to be burned and may even resultin dehydration use. Carringtonand Swallow [21] give a similar
[27]. recommendation, advocatingstorage of lime putty
The influenceof the slakingtemperatureon the underwaterfora minimumof threemonthsbefore
hydrate quality has been studied by several its use. In historicalsourcessuch as Pliny,Vitruvius
researchers.The hydrationreaction will be more and Alberti, as well, recommendationscan be
rapid withincreasingtemperature and, accordingto found for the improvementof the lime quality on
Hedin [42], particles of the smallest possible size prolonged storage, and an ancient Roman law
could be obtained using water having a high tem- requiredthe lime to be storedunderwaterforthree
perature.However,in orderto avoid aggregationof yearsbeforeuse [1, 2, 37].
crystalsinto larger agglomerates,the mass should Even thoughpracticalexperiencehas shown that
be cooled as rapidlyas possible afterthe instanta- aging has a positiveeffecton the propertiesof lime
neous fast hydrationreaction. Hedin also found putties [44], little is known regardingthe mecha-
that a slow rise in temperatureand lengthyheating nismsleadingto the improvements in plasticityand
duringhydrationresultedin an unplasticproduct. workability,and the available information is some-
Cowper [37] statesthatin lime that has been slaked whatcontradictory. Boynton[27] reportsdifferences
at excessivelyhightemperatures, theminuteparticles in the behaviour of putties prepared from dry
would have the tendencyto coagulate, thus dimin- hydrates and slaked quicklimes. Soaking of dry
ishingplasticity.Miller [43] presentsexhaustivedata hydratesfor periods longer than 24 hours was of
on the slakingof quicklimeusing different amounts no consequence, whereas putties of many slaked
of water (ratios between 2.5 and 25 times the quicklimescontinuedto increasein plasticityforup
weightof calcium oxide) and varyinginitialwater to one year. However,the degree of improvement
temperatures(between 4 and 90'C), resultingin upon aging varied for the differentlime putties.
differentmaximumslakingtemperatures. Generally, Holmes et al. [39] found that slaked lime settled
higherslakingtemperatures, leading to more rapid more slowlywhen it was allowed to stand in con-
slaking, were obtained either by increasing the tact withwaterfor some time.Cowper [37] reports
initial water temperature or by reducing the an increasein plasticityand waterretentioncapac-
water/limeratio. Miller concludes that calcium ity on aging,whichhe attributesto a colloidal dis-
hydroxideof high specificsurface area or small persion of larger,aggregatedparticlesin the lime
particle size requires a high slaking temperature, putty.However, it has also been implied that the
approaching but not exceeding 100oC. Therefore positiveeffectof agingon the lime qualitywould be
the initialwater temperatureneeds to be adjusted due ratherto a completionof the slakingprocess
when the water/limeratio is changed, to avoid than to morphological changes in the calcium
lower slakingtemperatures. Dornap [38] also found hydroxide[4].
that high slakingtemperatures not exceeding100oC Rodriguez-Navarroet al. [45] compared crystal
oftenresultin higherputtyyield;however,tempera- morphologyand size of freshand aged lime putties
ture requirementsmightvary for differentquick- using various analytical techniquesto clarifythe

Studiesin Conservation
47 (2002) 62-75 65

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E. SebastianPardo, E. Hansen and 0. Cazalla
K. Elert,C. Rodriguez-Navarro,

Its ..... .......

:A ........... ........a :::,.01:......

-1",
......
...
.......
x
.4-4..N
......... :
'
:............

c 'IN: 1
Neli,:b~~E,
Mll
4
'i

:4. Y..
N.
:. X i .:.

.4.m 2Pmm
N,
. .,..
,[:S :4i: I N-N
NN
M: X:
:::m
:-N&.
N i::N
.4

Figure2 SEM photomicrographs of Ca(OH)2 crystalevolutionupon aging: (a) large,prismaticportlandite

crystalsrightafterhydration(Sample A); (b) large,prismaticportlanditecrystalsshowingcorrosionalong
prismaticfaces (arrows), resultingin separationof smallerplatelikecrystalsfollowingtwo monthsof aging
(Sample A); (c) massivepresence of platelikeportlanditecrystalsfollowing14-monthlime puttyaging
(Sample B); (d) secondarysub-micrometre platelikecrystalsdevelopedon Ca(OH)2 plates (arrows) in 14-
monthaged limeputty(Sample B).
effectof prolongedstorageunderwateron the cal- <1 Lm) and a significantmorphological change,
cium hydroxide.Puttieswerepreparedfromreagent developing submicrometre, platelike crystalsafter
grade calcium oxide (Sample A) and froma tradi- aging for two and 14 months.These changes are
tionally prepared quicklime from Guatemala thoughtto be due to greatersolubilityof the prism
(Sample B). Both wereslaked undercontinuousstir- faces of the hexagonal portlandite,Ca(OH)2 crys-
ring,using a lime/waterratio of 1:3 and waterwith tals, which appear corroded upon aging (Figure
an initialtemperatureof 20'C. Samples werestudied 2b), while basal faces are preserved(Figure 2c).
on completionof the slakingprocess,and aftertwo Thus, the originallyelongated prisms are divided
monthsof aging in the case of Sample A and after into various platelike crystals.An increase in the
14 monthsof agingin thecase of Sample B. amount of platelikecrystalsupon aging is also evi-
Using X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning dencedby a significant increasein XRD peak inten-
electron microscopy (SEM), it was possible to sity,correspondingto the basal planes of calcium
demonstratethat in both lime puttysamples pris- hydroxidecrystals.At the same time, secondary
matic calcium hydroxide crystals (Figure 2a) nucleationof platelike,nanoscale portlanditecrys-
undergo important size reduction (from >2 to tals was detected(Figure 2d). Findingsby Tomazic

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Lime mortars of historicbuildings
for theconservation

Table I Surfacearea (m2g-') increaseuponaging[45]

Lime putty Fresh 2-monthaging 14-month

aging

Slaked reagentgradecalciumoxide 16 + 0.2 18.1 ? 0.8

Slaked traditionalquicklime 22-3 + 0-9 24 ? 08

et al. [46] confirmthe occurrence of secondary described above to examine two Spanish putties,
nucleation. Nitrogen adsorption data (BET one aged for two years and the otherfor 16 years.
method)presentedby Rodriguez-Navarroet al. [45] X-ray measurementsrevealed that the morphology
revealed an overall surface area increase in lime of the two-year-oldlime puttyis very similar to
puttiesupon aging (Table 1). The change in mor- that of freshlyslaked limeputty,and SEM analysis
phology also suggests greater water adsorption confirmedthe existenceof predominantly largepris-
capacity,whichshould resultin an increasein plas- matic calcium hydroxidecrystals.The surfacearea
ticity,waterretentionand workabilityof lime-putty of the two-year-oldputtyis very low: 4-5m2g-'as
based mortars.Hedin [42] has stated that smaller determinedby nitrogenabsorptionmeasurements.
flat-shapedparticles, which are capable of sur- The 16-year-oldputtyshows similarmorphologi-
roundingthemselveswith a liquid film,yield lime cal featuresto the aged putties in the previous
puttieswithhigherplasticity.Cazalla et al. [47] cal-study[45],exhibitingmainlysmallplatelikecrystals.
culated the surfacearea of portlanditecrystalsof However, its surface area is significantlylower
prismaticand platelikeshape, and found that the (11.3m2g-1)than thatof the lime puttiesin the pre-
latter have a significantlylarger surface area vious study. Hansen et al. [48] used modified
(Figure 3), a findingwhichcoincideswiththe nitro- ASTM test methods for consistency,water reten-
gen absorption data of the two putty samples. tion and Emley plasticity[49] in order to correlate
Hansen et al. [48] continuedthe researchin order the observedmorphologicalchangeswiththe work-
to verify whether crystal morphology and size abilityof the lime putties.The ASTM testsproved
would always evolve in the same manner in aged the poor quality of the two-year-oldputty with
lime putties,and how thesechangesinfluencework- respect to water retentioncapacity and plasticity,
ability.They used the same analyticaltechniquesas thus confirmingobservationson particle size and
shape and on surfacearea (Table 2). The 16-year-
old putty,on the other hand, meets the ASTM
40 standard specification[50], requiring a plasticity
-200, and has a significantly
higherwaterretention
capacity than the two-year-oldputtysample. The
30 watercontentat ASTM standard[49] consistencyis
E also higher in the 16-year-oldputty than in the
two-year-oldone, the former exhibitingsmaller
20 crystalsand a larger surfacearea (Table 2). This
findingis consistentwith test resultsobtained by
0 Schafer and Hilsdorf [23] demonstratingthat the
'L smaller the particlesize of the binder,the higher
the specificsurfacearea and the higherthe water
demand of the mortar.Hansen et al. [48] concluded
0 | thataging would not always improvethe qualityof
0 10 20 30 lime puttiessufficiently. The plasticityof one lime
putty tested remains below the ASTM standard
Size (pm) even aftertwo yearsof aging,suggestingthataging
does not improve all lime putties to the same
Figure 3 Relation between the surface area of degreeand mightnot be sufficiently effective
when
Ca(OH)2 crystals,and particle size and shape. the slaked limeis of poor qualityinitially.
Platelike crystals(1) contributeto a largersurface
area thanprismaticones (2), for equal-sizedcrys-
tals. Solid curvesindicatesurfacearea versussizefor Carbonation
(1) platelike portlanditecrystalswith 1.'10 height
(h) to lengthof basal plane (L) aspect ratio, and Once the lime mortaris preparedand initialdrying
(2) prismaticcrystalswith1.1 h.:L aspectratio. has occurred, the transformationof calcium

47 (2002) 62-75
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K Elert,C. Rodriguez-Navarro,
E. SebastianPardo, E. Hansenand 0. Cazalla

Table 2 Surfacearea (m2g-1),Emleyplasticity,waterretention(%) and watercontent(%) of two aged

limeputtiesfromSpain [48]

Limeputty Surfacearea Emleyplasticity* Waterretention Watercontent*

2-year-old 4.5 191 70.3 58.2

16-year-old 11.3 480 83.5 73

andwatercontent
*Emleyplasticity at ASTM standard (20 ? 5mm).
consistency

hydroxide(portlandite)into calciumcarbonate(cal- compacts in a 100% carbon dioxide atmosphereat

cite) in the presenceof water and carbon dioxide relative humidities between 25 and 95%, and
will take place. The carbonationreaction is influ- detected a higher degree of carbonation with
enced by many factors,the most importantbeing increasingRH. The optimumcarbonationspeed is
the moisturecontentand permeabilityof the mor- found at about 20'C. At higher temperatures,
tar,as well as the carbon dioxidegas concentration chemicalreactionsin generalbecome faster,but the
[51]. solubility of carbon dioxide and hydrated lime
According to Van Balen and Van Gemert [52] decreases[52]. Increasingcarbon dioxide concentra-
the carbonationprocess should be divided into a tion resultsin an increasein carbonationrate since
carbon dioxide diffusionprocess followed by a more carbon dioxide is available for the reaction.
chemicalreactionin whichcalcium carbonatecrys- However,rapid carbonationat 100% carbon diox-
tals are formed.They give the followingequations ide concentrationmightcause excessiveheat gener-
for the dissolutionof carbon dioxide in water (eq. ation, leading to prematuredryingof the compact
1) and the reactionof lime with the resultingcar- and thus the halting of the carbonation process
bonic acid (eq. 2): [51].
The physical characteristicsof the mortar have
CO2 + H20 = H2CO3 (1) an importanteffecton the carbonationprocess as
well. Swenson and Sereda [5] examinedthe degree
Ca(OH)2 + H2CO3 - CaCO3 + 2H20 (2) of carbonationof
hydratedlime compacts having
The solubilityof the hydratedlime depends on differentsurface area. Samples were exposed to
particle size, and it is supposed that dissolution atmosphereswithcarbon dioxide concentrationsof
takes place at the pore surface.Since the rate of 0.05% and 100% at 50% RH. The sample havinga
dissolutionis fasterthan the diffusionrate of car- surface area about 50% higher revealed in both
bon dioxide,a maximumcalciumhydroxidecontent cases a higherdegreeof carbonation:56 and 62%
will be in the wateron the pore surfaceas long as respectively.
carbonationis not complete[52, 53]. It has been shown that the carbonationreaction
Moorehead [51] suggeststhat the followingreac- proceeds fromthe outside inward; thus the thick-
tions occur. First, carbon dioxide dissolves in the ness of the mortarand its permeability significantly
water in the smallercapillarieswherecondensation influencethe rate of carbonation. According to
is favoured,formingH+, and CO3,= ions Moorehead [51] diffusionof carbon dioxide to the
HCO3-
and reducingthe pH. Afterwards, calcium hydrox- reactionsite will be a limitingfactorand carbona-
ide particlesdissolvein the acidifiedcapillarywater tion timewill become impracticably long if thisdis-
to form Ca++ ions. The Ca++ ions interactwith tance is more than 25mm for porous mortarsand
CO3= ions to formcalcium carbonate.This process more than 5mm for dense, impermeablemortars.
will continue,eitheruntil all calcium hydroxideis The additionof aggregategenerallyincreasesporos-
convertedinto calciumcarbonate,or untilall water ityand facilitatesthe transferof carbon dioxidegas
in the capillaries has evaporated due to the heat [55], while porosityof the bindermatrixdecreases
generatedby thecarbonationreaction. with increasingbindercontentdue to lower water
Carbonationcan startafterthe freshmortarhas requirements in the freshmortar[23]. Mortarswith
partiallydried.The optimumwatercontentforcar- higher concentrationsof calcium hydroxidewill
bonation is the water contentthat correspondsto also requiremore timeforcompletecarbonationat
maximum adsorption on the pore surface before a givencarbon dioxide concentration, due to larger
extensivecapillarycondensationoccurs [52, 54]. In amountsof available hydroxide[51].
dry or fullywater-saturated mortars,no significant The formationof carbonateleads to an increase
carbonation has been detected [51]. Swenson and in weight(35%) and volume (11.8%) if comparedto
Sereda [5] studiedcarbonationof calciumhydroxide calcium hydroxide.Moorehead [51] was able to

68 47 (2002) 62-75
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for theconservation
Lime mortars of historicbuildings

demonstratea drasticreductionin pore sizes larger 3

than 1[m, whichled to a porosityreductionof 5% -*- agedfor14years
if compared to the uncarbonated sample. Van 2.5
Balen and Van Gemert [52] also state that the ---G-aged for1 year
depositionof calciumcarbonatecrystalsduringcar- 2
bonationchangesthe pore structure, influencing the -- non-aged
hygroscopicpropertiesof lime mortarand thus the P 1.5
effectof watercontenton diffusionof carbon diox-
ide. However,in theirown experimentstheyfound
the decreasein porosityand the change in pore size
distributiondue to carbonation to be only very
small. 0.5
Even thougheffectsof variationsin gas proper-
ties (concentration,pressureand temperature)and
compact characteristics(permeability,water and 0 100 200 300 400
calcium hydroxide content) on the carbonation Time(days)
process,as well as changesin pore volumeand pore
size distributionof the mortardue to carbonation,
Figure 4 Carbonationevolution:calcite/portlandite
have been studied, few data are available on the ratio
(R) versustimefor aged and non-agedmortars
influenceof morphologicalfeaturesof the calcium with1:3 ratio, calculatedfrom X-
binder/aggregate
hydroxidecrystalson the final quality of carbon- raydiffraction data.
ated mortar.In order to fillthe gap in knowledge
and explain differencesin durabilityof mortars
with similar composition and binder content, ing areas towardsthe precipitation front,leadingto
Cazalla et al. [47] studiedthe carbonationevolution the formationof an outer calcite-richring and an
in mortarsprepared using three lime putties,one inner,almost dry, portlandite-rich ring. The high
one aged for one year and the other for pH of the portlandite-rich ring promotes increased
non-aged,
14 years. calcite solubility and prevents carbonation. The
The solid residue of all three lime puttiescon- heat generated during the calcite formationwill
tained about 95% calcium hydroxide.However,dif- cause the evaporationof water and will eventually
ferencesin portlanditecrystalsize and morphology stop the carbonationprocess,resultingin a carbon
were detected,the aged puttiesexhibitingsmaller, dioxide diffusiontowardthe innerzone, wheresuf-
platelike crystalsas opposed to larger, prismatic ficientaqueous solutionis available forthe precipi-
crystalsin the freshputty.Powder X-raydiffraction tation process to occur again. Carbonationleading
revealeda fastercalcite/portlandite ratio increasein to the formationof Liesegangpatternsis kinetically
mortarsprepared using aged lime puttiesthan in fasterand mighttherefore be preferable,since mor-
in a
non-aged commercial hydrated lime mortars tars will develop their structuralfunction
exposed to ambient carbon dioxide concentration, shorter period of time. Zones of non-carbonated
effect
suggestingthat aging contributedto faster and portlanditedo not seem to have a negative
more extensivecarbonation (Figure 4). Impregna-
tion of the freshlycut mortarsampleswithphenol-
phthaleinnot only allowed a qualitativeevaluation
of the degreeof carbonationbut also revealedthat
the carbonationof aged lime puttiesfollowsa com-
plex diffusivepath which resultsin periodiccalcite
precipitationas rings,while carbonation of non-
aged lime mortarsshows a normaldiffusion-limited
continuouspath, progressingfromthe sample sur-
face towardsthe core (Figure 5). The formationof
alternatingcalcite- and portlandite-rich rings after
prolongedperiods of carbonation,which resembles 2 cm
the so-called Liesegang pattern [56], might be ca(OH)2 Ca(CO) Ca(OH)2
explainedby the fasterdissolutionof smallerport-
landite crystalsin aged putties,resultingin rapid Figure 5 Carbonationevolution:(a) non-agedlime
supersaturationfollowedby rapid calcite precipita- mortarand (b) aged lime mortarimpregnated with
tion. This crystallizationbehaviour mightlead to phenolphthalein. Liesegangpatterndevelopment can
Ca" and CO3= diffusionfromsaturatedsurround- be observedin thelatter.

47 (2002) 62-75
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E. SebastianPardo, E. Hansen and 0. Cazalla
K. Elert,C. Rodriguez-Navarro,

2800 also confirmearlierfindingsfromX-raydiffraction

analysis, showing a higherdegree of carbonation
for the aged mortar.During the firsttwo months,
2400 -
Vp values for the aged lime mortar with a 1:3
binder/aggregate ratio increase in smaller incre-
* 2000 mentscomparedto the non-agedmortar.However,
E afterthe firstfew months this behaviour changes
a. 1600- and Vp values increasemoremarkedly,indicatinga
> -- agedmortar
(14 significantreductionin porosityand cracks in the
years) aged mortars.
1200 mortar
-- non-aged

800 Recommendations
0 200 400 600 800
For conservation purposes, soft-burnedporous
Time(days)
quicklimesof highpurityare preferable,since they
Figure6 Lime mortaraverage ultrasoundwavepro- have a highreactivity and slake rapidly.Carrington
pagation speed (Vp) evolutionversus carbonation and Swallow [21] state that the lump lime forslak-
time. ing should be hand-pickedto remove overburned
lumps, which can be recognizedbecause they are
darkerin colour and denser,as well as lime which
on the performanceof the lime mortar[47]. The has become air-slaked,exposing a dusty surface.
formationof Liesegang patternsmightexplain the They recommenda lime/water ratio of 1:2 or 1:3,
presenceof uncarbonatedportlanditein mediaeval the precisequantityof waterrequireddependingon
non-hydrauliclime mortar samples which was the reactivityof the lime. They furtherreportthat
reportedby Marchese[57]. highlyreactivelime will slake readilyin cold water,
Cazalla et al. [47] were able to prove that aging and that the process will be acceleratedas heat is
of lime putties not only significantly affectedthe generated.Less reactivelimes mightneed preheat-
carbonationprocess but also influencedthe behav- ing of the water.Once slakingis underway,stirring
iour of the mortars with respect to different is importantto break up the lumpsand preventthe
binder/aggregateratios. Non-aged commercial formationof a skin of slaked lime around them,
hydratedlimemortarsrequiredhigherbinder/aggre- otherwisethe lime will be drowned.Afterthe slak-
gate ratios (1:3) than aged lime mortars. Lower ing processhas been completed,theputtyshould be
binder/aggregate ratios of 1:4 are preferablein the storedunder water for an extendedperiod of time
case of aged mortars,where higherratios of 1:3 (preferablymore than one year) beforeit is mixed
resultedin crack development.However, using a withthe aggregate[47]. The aging process can sig-
scanning electron microscope,it was possible to nificantly improvethe qualities of the lime mortar,
demonstratethat fissuresdisappeared afterexten- including plasticity,water retention and work-
sive carbonation.The crack developmentupon dry- ability,by inducing changes in particle size and
ing is thought to be due to the higher water shape of the calcium hydroxide.The plasticityof
retentionof small portlanditecrystalsin aged lime the lime putty determinesthe workabilityof the
putties,especially at high binder/aggregate ratios. mortar.High plasticitygenerallycoincides with a
Larger portlanditecrystals in non-aged lime putty high sand-carryingand water-retention capacity,
do not show this behaviour.Nevertheless, carbona- the latter enabling the mortar to retain moisture
tion of smallerportlanditecrystalsin aged putties much longer and resistthe suction imposed from
resultsin smaller,more interlockedcalcite crystals, contact with porous masonry,facilitatinga strong
leadingto a more resistantmortar.Generally,mor- bond [18, 37, 59].
tars with low binder/aggregate ratios exhibit a Before mixingwith the aggregate,it might be
higher degree of carbonation and rigidity,and advisable to sieve or screenthe lime puttyin order
fewercracks upon drying[47]. In an extensionof to remove large unslaked particles of over- or
their investigation,Cazalla et al. [58] used ultra- underburnt lime [37].
sound speed (Vp) measurements (Figure 6) to show Generally,well-gradedsharp sand is preferableto
that neitherin mortarswith aged nor in mortars rounded grains,and the aggregateshould be well
with non-aged lime putties was the carbonation washed to avoid the introductionof unwanted
process completeaftertwo years,even thoughthe soluble salts,clay, siltand organicmatter[1, 2, 21].
samples have a porosityof about 30% and their The use of too finea sand should be avoided since
dimensionswere only 4 x 4 x 16cm.The Vp data it will not allow a proper distributionof the lime,

70 47 (2002) 62-75
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Lime mortars
for theconservation
of historicbuildings

thus resulting in reduced strength [37]. Low 5 SWENSON, E.G., and SEREDA, P.J., 'Mechanism
binder/aggregate ratios of 1:4 or less are recom- of the carbonatationshrinkageof lime and
mendedwhenmortaris preparedfromaged putties, hydrated cement', Journal of Applied
whichwill not only diminishthe likelihoodof crack Chemistry 18 (1968) 111-117.
formationand promote fastercarbonationdue to 6 WEBB, T.L., 'Chemical aspects of unsoundness
higherporosity,but also reduce costs [47]. For a and plasticityin buildinglimes', The South
given type of mortarthe demand of water will be AfricanIndustrialChemist6 (1952) 290-294.
lower with increasing binder content [23]. 7 RAMACHANDRAN, V.S., SEREDA, P.J., and
Generally,the addition of water should be kept to FELDMAN,'Delayed hydrationin white-coat
a minimumto avoid volumechangesduringdrying plaster', Materials Research and Standards
[1], and workabilityshould ratherbe improvedby (ASTM) 4 (1964) 663-666.
beatingthe mortar[44]. 8 ARNOLD,A., and ZEHNDER,K., 'Evaporiteund
Various researchersfound that the carbonation Verwitterungan Bauwerken', Eclogae geol.
processmay continueformanyyears[2, 47], and in Helv. 77 (1984) 287-300.
some studiesthe presenceof uncarbonatedcalcium 9 KINGERY, W.D., VANDIVER, P.B., and
hydroxideis suggestedin mediaevalmortars[57, 60, PRICKETT,M., 'The beginningsof pyrotech-
61]. Ashurst[1] reportsexperimentalresultswhere nology,Part II: Productionand use of lime
periodic wetting accelerated the carbonation and gypsum plaster in the pre-pottery
process. Rapid drying,on the otherhand, retarded neolithic Near East', Journal of Field
the process and can result in poor ultimate Archaeology15 (1988) 219-244.
strength.He recommendsprotectingthe finished 10 KINGERY,W.E., 'Introduction:Some aspectsof
work from rain, strong heat and local draughts, the history of ceramic processing' in
and encouraginggood air circulation. Ultrastructure Processing of Advanced
Ceramics,ed. MACKENZIEand ULRICH,John
Wiley,New York (1988) 1-29.
Acknowledgements 11 VON LANDSBERG, D., 'The historyof lime pro-
duction and use from early times to the
This researchis part of the existingco-operation
IndustrialRevolution', Zement-Kalk-Gips 45
agreementbetween Granada Universityand the
(1992) 199-203.
GettyConservationInstitute.Financial supporthas 12
been providedby the GettyConservationInstitute PERONI, S., TERSIGNI, G., TORRACA, G.,
CEREA, S., FORTI, M., GUIDOBALDI, F.,
(Project title: 'Preservationof lime mortars and
the under Research ROSSI-DORIA, P., DE REGE, A., PICCHI, D.,
plaster'), Spanish government
PIETRAFITTA, F.J., and BENEDETTI, G., 'Lime
Project PB96-1445 (DGICYT), and Research
based mortars for the repair of ancient
Group RNM-0179 of the Juntade Andalucia.
masonryand possible substitutes'in Mortars,
Cementsand GroutsUsed in the Conservation
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K. Elert,C. Rodriguez-Navarro,

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24 CALLEBAUT, K., VIANE,W., VAN BALEN,K., hydrationof lime', Industrialand Engineering
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tars',APT Bulletin25 (1994) 32-49. 39 HOLMES, M.E., FINK, G.J., and MATHERS,
26 WALKER,D.D., 'The microscopeand lime' in F.C., 'Fundamentalpropertiesof commercial
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21-48. Engineering 27 (1922) 1212-1216.
27 BOYNTON,R.S., Chemistryand Technologyof 40 WHITMAN,W.G., and DAVIS, G.H.B., 'The
Lime and Limestone,2nd edn, JohnWiley & hydrationof lime', Industrialand Engineering
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28 GILLOTT, J.E., 'Carbonatation of Ca(OH)2 41 BONNELL,D.G.R., 'The propertiesof calcium
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of historicbuildings

42 HEDIN, R., Plasticityof Lime Mortars, Azbe 55 ADAMS, J., KNELLER, W., and DOLLIMORE, D.,
Award No. 3, National Lime Association, 'Thermalanalysis(TA) of lime-and gypsum-
WashingtonDC (1963). based medievalmortars',Thermochimica Acta
43 MILLER,T.C., A Studyof the ReactionBetween 211 (1992) 93-106.
Calcium Oxide and Water,Azbe Award No. 56 HENISCH,H.K., Crystal Growthin Gels and
1, National Lime Association, Washington LiesegangRings,CambridgeUniversityPress
DC (1961). (1988).
44 LYNCH,G., 'Lime mortarsforbrickwork:tradi- 57 MARCHESE,B., 'Non-crystallineCa(OH)2 in
tional practiceand modernmisconceptions-- ancient non-hydraulic lime mortars',Cement
Part One', Journal of Architectural and ConcreteResearch10 (1980) 861-864.
Conservation 4 (1998) 7-20. 58 CAZALLA, O., RODRIGUEZ-NAVARRO, C.,
45 RODRIGUEZ-NAVARRO, C., HANSEN, E., and CULTRONE,G., SEBASTIAN, E., ELERT, K.,
GINELL, W.S., 'Calcium hydroxide crystal and DE LA TORRE,M.J., 'The carbonationof
evolutionupon ageingof lime putty',Journal lime mortars:the influenceof ageing of lime
of the AmericanCeramic Society 81 (1998) putty'in Proceedingsof the 5th International
3032-3034. Symposium on theConservation of Monuments
46 TOMAZIC,B., MOHANTY,R., TADROS,M., and in the MediterraneanBasin, ed. E. GALAN
ESTRIN,J.,'Crystallisation of calciumhydrox- and F. ZEZZA, Balkema Publishers, The
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Growth75 (1986) 339-347. 59 LEVIN, E.M., CLARKE, W.F., and WELLS, L.S.,
47 CAZALLA, O., RODRIGUEZ-NAVARRO, C., Plasticityand WaterRetentivity of Hydrated
SEBASTIAN, E., CULTRONE,G., and DE LA Limes for Structural Purposes, Building
TORRE, M.J., 'Ageing of calcium hydroxide Materials and StructuresReport 146, US
crystals:effectson traditionallime mortars Departmentof Commerce,National Bureau
carbonation', Journal of the American of Standards,WashingtonDC (1956).
CeramicSociety83 (2000) 1070-1076. 60 ADAMS, J., DOLLIMORE, D., and GRIFFITHS,
48 HANSEN, E., TAGLE, A., ERDER, E., BARON, S., D.L., 'Thermal analytical investigationof
CONNELL,S., RODRIGUEZ-NAVARRO,C., and unalteredCa(OH)2 in dated mortarsand plas-
VAN BALEN,K., 'Effectsof ageing on lime ters',Thermochimica Acta 324 (1998) 67-76.
putty' in Proceedings of the International 61 LEZZERINI, M., 'Assessmentof chemical,miner-
Rilem Workshop on Historic Mortars: alogical-petrographical,physicaland mechan-
Characterisationand Tests, ed. P. BARTOS, ical propertiesof old mortars:a contribution
C. GROOT and J.J. HUGHES, RILEM to a correctmanagementof conservationand
Publication,France (2000) 197-206. restorationinterventions', Plinius 17 (1997)
49 Standard Test Methodsfor Physical Testingof 146-149.
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ASTM C 110-96a, American Society for
Testing and Materials,West Conshohocken, Authors
PA (1997).
50 Standard Specificationfor FinishingHydrated
Lime, ASTM C206-84, AmericanSocietyfor KERSTIN ELERT received her diploma in objects
conservation from the Staatliche Akademie der
Testing and Materials,West Conshohocken,
PA (1997). BildendenKiinste,Stuttgart(Germany)in 1994 and
51 MOOREHEAD,D.R., 'Cementationby the car- worked as a researchfellow in the scientificpro-
bonation of hydrated lime', Cement and gram of the Getty Conservation Institute until
ConcreteResearch16 (1986) 700-708. 1998. Since 1999 she has been a researchfellowat
52 VAN BALEN, K., and VAN GEMERT, D., the University of Granada, Spain. Address:
'Modelling lime mortar carbonation', Universityof Granada, Departmentof Mineralogy
Materialsand Structures 27 (1994) 393-398. and Petrology,Fuentenuevas/n, 18002 Granada,
53 CHATTERJI, S., 'Mechanism of expansion of Spain.
concrete due to the presence of dead-burnt
CaO and MgO', Cement and Concrete CARLOSRODRIGUEZ-NAVARRO received his BS in
Research25 (1995) 51-56. geology and his MS in science and technologyin
54 KORNEEV,V.I., and TSVANG,A.S., 'Study of the conservationand restorationof culturalheritage
carbonationof lime-quartzmixtures',Journal fromthe Universityof Granada, Spain. In 1995 he
of AppliedChemistry of the USSR 59 (1986) receivedhis PhD in geologyfromthe Universityof
150-153. Granada and worked until 1998 as a research

Studiesin Conservation
47 (2002) 62-75 73

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E. SebastianPardo, E. Hansenand 0. Cazalla
K. Elert,C. Rodriguez-Navarro,

fellow in the scientificprogram of the Getty ERIC HANSEN his MS in organicsynthesis

received
ConservationInstitute.Currentlyhe is an associate from the Universityof California,Irvine,and his
professorin the Department of Mineralogy and PhD in archaeology from the University of
Petrologyat the Universityof Granada. Address:as California,Los Angeles. Since 1985 he has been a
for Elert. scientistat theGettyConservationInstitute.He is a
Fellow of IIC and of AIC. Address: Getty
EDUARDOSEBASTIANPARDO received his PhD in ConservationInstitute,1200 Getty Center Drive,
geologyfromthe Universityof Granada, Spain. He Suite 700, Los Angeles,CA 90049-1684,USA.
is currently an associate professor in the
Departmentof Mineralogy and Petrologyat the OLGA CAZALLA receivedher BS in geologyfromthe
Universityof Granada and coordinatesthe research University
of Granada and is currently her
finishing
group on architectural
conservation.Address.as for PhD in theDepartmentof Mineralogyand Petrology
Elert. at thesame university.
Address:as for Elert.

Resume--La prise de consciencede la necessited'utiliserdes materiauxcompatiblespour la preservation du

patrimoinearchitectural a menda la renaissancede la technologiedes mortiersa"base de chaux et de ses
applications.Cependant,la connaissancedes processusde preparationet des modesoperatoiresinfluenvant la
qualitefinale des mortiersde chaux est limitee,et la controverse demeure,dans le mondede la conservation,
quant au choix du matiriaule plus appropridpour les traitements de conservation(par exemple,la chaux
hydraulique par oppositiona la chaux en pdte vieillie).Cet articlefait le pointsur les connaissancesactuelles
en matidrede technologie des mortiersde chaux,y comprisle brilage, la scarification, le vieillissementet la
carbonatation de la chaux. Un interettoutparticulierestportoaux effetsdu vieillissement sur l')volutionmor-
phologiquede la chaux hydraulique et sur le processusde carbonatation, car ces aspectsde la questionn'ont
guereete ddveloppesdans la litterature specialisdeen techniquesou en conservation. Les ameliorationsdes
proprifttsphysiquesobservkesapris un stockageprolongede la chaux hydrauliquesous l'eau peuventetre
attribuwes a" une reductiondu diamitredes particules(<ipm) et a" des changements de morphologie(de
prismesen cristauxenformede plaquettes).Les etudessur la carbonatation de la chauxhydraulique commer-
ciale non vieillieet de la chaux hteintevieilliede fagontraditionnelle
ontmis en evidencedes taux de carbona-
tationplus flevis dans le cas de la chaux vieillie.L'article donne quelques recommandations pour la
preparationde la chaux et des mortiersde chaux en vue d'un traitement de conservation. L'utilisationde
chaux en pdte vieillieest recommand&e car ce materiau,grdcea sa hauteplasticiteet a%sa capacitede reten-
tiond'eau,permetd'obtenirdes mortiers plus resistantsqui se carbonatent
plus rapidement.

Zusammenfassung-Inder Denkmalpflegehat das Bewufjtseinum die Notwendigkeit eines kompatiblen

Konservierungsmittels zu einer Wiederbelebung der Verwendung von auf Kalk basierendemMirtel gefiihrt.
Dennochist das Wissenum Herstellungsprozesse und Verfahren,die die endgiiltige
Qualitdtdes Kalkmdrtels
beeinflussen(z.B. geldschterKalk versusgealtertemKalkkitt),bei den Anwendern begrenzt.In dieserArbeit
wirddas geldufigeWissenfiberdie Mirtel Technologieeinschliefjlich des Brennensund Lischens von Kalk,
der Alterungund der Karbonatisierung zusammengestellt. Ein besondererAugenmerkist dabei auf die
Prozesse, die beim Alterndes Mirtels auftreten, auf die morphologischeVerdnderungen des hydratsierten
Kalks und auf die Karbonatisierung gerichtet,da diese Aspektein der Konservierungsliteratur
bishernoch
nichtausreichenddiskutiertwordensind. Die Verbesserungen der physikalischenEigenschaften von Mdrtel,
der lange unterWassergelagertwordenist,kdnnenmiteiner Verringerung des Partikeldurchmessers(<ipm)
und Veranderungen der Morphologie(von Prismenzu kleinenPlatten) erkldrtwerden.Eine Untersuchung
von kommerziellem,nicht gealtertem,geldschtenKalk und traditionellgealtertemgeldschtenKalk
(gesumpftemKalk), zeigten, daf3 der gealterte Kalk hihere Karbonatisierungsraten aufwies. Einige
Empfehlungen fir den Umgangmit Kalk und die Herstellungvon Kalkmdrtel fir die Restaurierungkdnnen
daher ausgesprochen werden:Dabei wirdbesondersdie Verwendung vongealtertenKalkkittenempfohlen, da
dieses Material wegenseinergr'l3erenPlastizitdtund seinesgri'jeren Wasserraickhaltevermdgens zu Kitten
hdhererStdrkefiihrt,die gleichzeitig
schnellerkarbonatisieren.

Resumen-La preocupaci6npor la necesidadde materialescompatiblespara la preservaci6ndel patrimonio

arquitect6nicoha llevadoal resurgimiento de la tecnologiay aplicacionesde los morterosbasados en la cal.
Sin embargo,es limitadoel conocimiento de los sistemasde preservaci6ny procesosque influencianla calidad
finalde los morterosde cal, y persistela controversiaen la comunidadde conservadoressobreel materialmas
apropiadopara tratamientos de conservaci6n(por ejemplo,cal hidratadacontramasilla de cal envejecida).

74 47 (2002) 62-75
Studiesin Conservation

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for theconservation
Lime mortars of historicbuildings

Este articulorecogeel conocimiento actual sobre tecnologiade morterosde cal, incluyendo el tostado,apa-
gado, envejecimientoy carbonataci6nde la cal. Se prestaespecial fnfasisa los efectosdel envejecimientoen la
evolucidnmorfol6gica de la cal hidrataday en el procesode carbonataci6n, ya que estosaspectosno han sido
discutidosen profundidaden la bibliografiatecnica y de conservaci6n.Las mejoras observadasen las
propiedadesfisicas de la cal hidratadadespuesde un almacenajebajo agua prolongadopuedenser atribuidasa
la reducci6ndel taman-o de particula(<llm) y a los cambiosen morfologia(de cristalesprismdticos a forma
de placas o escamas). Los estudiossobrecarbonataci6nde cal hidratadacomercialno envejecida,y sobrecal
antiguaapagada tradicionalmente, revelannivelesde carbonataci6nmayoresen el caso de la cal antigua.Se
dan, asi mismo,algunasrecomendaciones para el procesadode la cal y para la preparaci6ndel morterode cal
para tratamientos de conservaci6n.El uso de masilla de cal envejecidase recomiendaporque este material,
con una mayorplasticidady capacidad de retenci6nde agua, producemorterosde mayorresistenciaque car-
bonatanmas rcpido.

Studiesin Conservation
47 (2002) 62-75 75

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