ABSTRACT
In this study, as-quarried desalinated Maltese Globigerina Limestone (GL) and artificially weathered GL test blocks were consolidated with calcium tartrate (CaT) starting off with a precursor solution of ammonium tartrate (AmT). The latter was applied by capillary uptake. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that a crystalline form of calcium tartrate (CaT) was deposited within the stone pore network even though CaT is about 30 times more soluble than calcite. The deposition of CaT was further confirmed by electron microscopy. Drilling resistance measurements showed that the mechanical properties of the CaT consolidated limestone blocks were markedly improved over untreated stone. Consolidation however led to pore blocking and this severely limited the ability of the stone to absorb water. Appropriate control of the concentration of AmT and choice of appropriate application method (brush, poultice as opposed to capillary uptake) is proposed to limit this effect.
