ABSTRACT
The object of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new consolidant/hydrophobic nanomaterial on three stones samples from three archaeological sites in the south of Spain. This product is specifically designed for the protection or restoration of building stone or other similar substrate. Our research group has previously developed a simple and low-cost procedure for obtaining crack-free materials that are produced, in situ on the substrate (Illescas & Mosquera 2012). The starting sol exclusively contains a surfactant aqueous solution and a silica oligomer. The surfactant provided an efficient means of preventing cracking of the gel, as the result of two factors: (1) coarsening of the gel network, which reduces the capillary pressure; and (2) decreasing surface tension, which also reduces capillary pressure. In addition, we have developed a simple modification of this process, adding an organic component to the starting sol. The organic component confers toughness and flexibility and gives hydrophobic properties to the product (Illescas & Mosquera 2011).
