Addition of ferrocyanide-based compounds to repairing joint lime mortars as a protective method for porous building materials against sodium chloride damage

Feijoo J., Ergenc D., Fort R., Alvarez de Buergo M.

MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, vol.54, no.1, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 54 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1617/s11527-020-01596-4
  • Journal Name: MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, ICONDA Bibliographic, INSPEC, Metadex, DIALNET, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Soluble salts are considered one of the main agents in weathering of porous materials used in building constructions. In this work, a comparison in terms of protection against the damage caused by salts, durability and harmful effects of the application of a joint lime repair mortar, with and without K4Fe(CN)(6) in its composition, for bonding sandstone blocks contaminated with NaCl was evaluated. Results show that the introduction of ferrocyanide allowed: (1) to protect the mortar during the curing process, hindering the entry of salts into its pores during drying; (2) to improve the carbonation of the mortar and its adhesion to the porous materials ' surface and (3) to remove chlorides from the surrounding materials, reaching percentages of reduction close to 100%. All of these without causing aesthetic damage to the materials and maintaining a protective capacity against NaCl over time that allows considering this treatment not only as a shock treatment but also as a preventive measure.