Evaluating the Influence of Surface Protective Coating on the Capillary Water Absorption Properties of Ignimbrites

Abstract

Abstract Natural stone is predominantly subjected to deterioration, with water being recognized as its primary instigator. Water enters the body of natural stones in many ways such as rain, humidity, freezing thawing. However, in addition to the water absorption characteristics of natural stones, capillary water absorption properties are also very effective on degradation. The degree of capillary water absorption directly correlates with the size of pores within natural stones and their interconnectivity. In this study, three different types of ignimbrites were used (referred to as SR, BJ, GK), which are found in the Nevşehir province. Firstly, capillarity properties of samples were determined in water and salty water. Then, the surface coating material was applied to the ignimbrites and capillary water absorption properties were determined again in the same conditions. To determine the material properties of ignimbrites, chemical, mineralogical-petrographic analyses, and physicomechanical experiments were performed. Based on the findings of the research, the capacity of capillary water absorption of SR ignimbrite in water was determined 114.03 g/m2s0.5, in solution with magnesium sulphate as 101 g/m2s0.5 while water GK ignimbrite was determined 87.39 g/m2s0.5, in solution with magnesium sulphate as 84.20 gr/m2s0.5. BJ ignimbrites capillary water absorption potential was determined to be 115.71 gr/m2s0.5 when immersed in water, whereas it measured 112.16 g/m2s0.5 in a solution containing magnesium sulphate. After the application of the surface coating resin on the ignimbrites, the capillary water absorption potential of the SR ignimbrite in water was determined as 6.54 g/m2s0.5, and in the magnesium sulphate solution, it was determined as 0.07 g/m2s0.5. For the BJ ignimbrite, the capillary water absorption potential in water was found to be 0.08 g/m2s0.5, and in the magnesium sulphate solution, it was determined as 1.27 g/m2s0.5. Similarly, for the GK ignimbrite, the capillary water absorption potential in water was measured as 0.08 g/m2s0.5, and in the magnesium sulphate solution, it was determined as 0.79 g/m2s0.5. A significant reduction in capillary water absorption properties was observed in the samples treated with surface coating resin.