Pore Structure and Water Transfer in Pietra d’Aspra Limestone: A Neutronographic Study
Source abstract
Abstract
Neutron radiography (NR) was here applied to study the effects of two different commercially available consolidants on the water absorption properties in a particular type of limestone (biocalcarenite), known as Pietra d’Aspra stone, which is one of the most extensively used lithotypes in Sicilian Baroque buildings. Our attention was mainly focused on the evaluation, using a fast and nondestructive visualization of water motion through capillarity, of the effectiveness of such layers as consolidating agents in view of preserving and maintaining both old and modern structures. The biocalcarenite was treated with nanosilica (Nano Estel®) and nanolime (CaLoSil®) by brushing it until full saturation, and then artificially weathered by salt crystallization and temperature/relative humidity jumps. Liquid distribution and height of the water front were monitored as a function of time. Significant differences in the water suction behavior among all the investigated samples were highlighted, which allowed us to gain insight into the coating/substrate interaction mechanisms which regulate the fluid mobility inside the porous network of the limestone.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Building materials and conservation · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis · Conservation Techniques and Studies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, via Pietro Bucci cubo 12B piano 2, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
Laboratoire Léon Brillouin, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette CEDEX, France
Department of Earth and Sea Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123 Palermo, Italy
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